Review of Zulu (1964) by Epi L — 15 Mar 2010

Based on the true story of the Battle of Rorke's Drift, where a small band of British soldiers totaling 139 (one-third of who were in the infirmary) who defended their mission from Zulu warriors numbering over 4000.

Starring Stanley Baker and the then unknown Michael Caine (in his first starring role) as Lieutenants John Chard and Gonville Bromhead, "Zulu" begins with the humiliating British defeat at Isandwlana (which is depicted in the 1979 prequel, "Zulu Dawn"), and switches to Rorke's Drift, where news of the defeat quickly reaches the unsuspecting British Infantry, and they realize that the warriors are marching straight for them.

The first hour of the film introduces all the troops stationed at the mission, and as they begin fortifying their walls and preparing their strategies in defending their post.

This whole sequence of events heightens the tension until the shock on the soldiers' faces as they see innumerable Zulus outlining the horizon describes the battle they're in for.

And from there, "Zulu" becomes a suspenseful action/adventure that will have you biting your nails until the final siege on the mission, which ends in a total surprise for the British Infantry, as well as the viewer. "Zulu" is a true classic in British, as well as American Cinema.