Review of Zulu (1964) by Dave F — 22 Nov 2007

Based on the true story of a Zulu attack at Rourke's Drift in 1879, we see for ourselves the hopelessness of the British army as they stand at a little more than a 100 soldiers facing down 4,000 Zulu warriors.

We see the all the British here in their "glory". Real gentlemen of a different era, as they prefer class and sportsmanship in battle over primitive cultures, I couldn't help but be reminded of Rudyard Kipling's "The White Man's Burden" which is what it seems the British felt they were doing, trying to help civilize the savages. Indeed it was a true test as these savages would begin to best the British and hence with the survivors of the story we get true nationalism, a story of the few and the brave, fighting back against insurmountable odds.

The story is about two British Lieutenants who at first butt heads over leadership and then come together to fight off the Zulu. Much of the charm of the film relies around Baker's dead set desire to stick to the book and to get his men ready to get the job done no mater what within conflict of Caine's character the aristocrat who is more about the pleasures and the perks of his leadership rank, he soon falls into line, as while he is seemingly at first arrogant he does know he's part of the British army and together they begin to work well as a unit.

Then we have the fun of Private Hook played by James Booth, one of the many injured soldiers in the ward. Hook much like the term "Hooky" is faking sick so that he doesn't have to do any work and later as we find out about the Zulu he also wants to avoid being in the battle. Then we have some of the missionaries who come over to warn of the Zulu attack who try and help the British but end up instead hurting morale by saying they are fighting an impossible battle. They are soon sent off before the Zulu action really gets going.

My one complaint about this film would be the sheer length of it, as like the soldiers once they get started they get stuck in and we're in for the long haul. The Zulu's seem relentless, not one inch of Rourke's Drift is left unscathed by battle as even the sick and injured are put to the test when their buildings burn down. We also see the British fight off the Zulu in which to me was unknown, the 2-3 shot tasks where one soldier fires, then begins to load his gun as the second line fires from behind him, then the second line loads while the third line repeats the same thing. The precision of the British and their dedication and fighting spirit is on display here, something that really no Brit could not be proud of.

Either way, there isn't much I could say that would do this film justice other than if you want to see a somewhat inaccurate but great epic picture about a small battalions last ditch efforts to stay alive against a seemingly never ending troupe of Zulu warriors, then this movie is for you. Once it gets going it doesn't spare on the action as we see this last stand for one of small group of British soldiers. Sheer will power alone drove them.