This epic adventure is one of the yardsticks of the action-cum-war film genre, offering intense excitement, bloody action, and furious violence and all within a PG certificate too. A perennial favourite of the British television stations, it tells the true story of a British detachment stranded at the outpost of Rorke's Drift in hostile enemy territory, facing an angry army of 4,000 Zulu warriors intent on killing all and sundry.

The main army has already been slaughtered (an event chronicled in 1979's fine prequel, ZULU DAWN),so it's down to our stiff-upper-lip British and Welsh heroes - including Michael Caine in his standout, star-making performance as a young, cocky officer, and Stanley Baker as the heroic older rank - to battle against the dreaded foe. The film builds slowly in the first hour, displaying some glorious African locations, before letting rip with full-scale battle and destruction come the second half. Courage, bravery, tragedy, and most of all determination is what this film is all about, and it's a hard one to top as well as a perennial favourite.

There was a strange tradition in the US for Hollywood to feature British colonialism in a VERY positive light--especially during the 1930s and 40s. Brits were clearly the heroes in many classic films of the era. Yet, looking at it through 21st century lenses, you wonder why we rooted for them. After all, the locals were fighting them in order to gain their independence--just like we Americans did in 1776. So you'd THINK we'd be rooting for the Zulus in "Zulu" thought this film, too, seems to portray the natives as somewhat savage (though well organized and tough in this case) and the Brits as good--though not quite as heroic and good as they'd appear in the 30s-40s. As this was made in the 60s, some folks like Hook (the malingerer) and the missionaries are less than noble--a bit of a change from the old pattern at least.

The story is based on the defense of a tiny fort in South Africa during 1879--in the Natal region (in the Northeastern part of the country). This makes for a VERY tense and intense film. At times, you sit there anticipating the inevitable and at others it's non-stop frenetic slaughter. It's exceptionally well made throughout and gives you a real feel for what it must have been like.

By the way, according to IMDb this film is historically inaccurate in that in this fight with the Zulus, only 17 British soldiers were killed. I lost track at 157239238 killed (give or take) during the course of the film!! Although it's NOT the ideal film for this, I watched this movie because I am headed to South Africa in the next few weeks. In addition, I've gotten a hold of a few other films about the country and am watching them to get me in the mood--though, aside from "Invictus", I can't think of any films about modern post-apartheid South Africa. If you can think of any appropriate films, drop me a line.

This in my opinion is a superb re-creation of the 1879 battle of Rorke's Drift. One or two parts are a tad slow, particularly at the beginning, but that is my only problem with Zulu. The film is a revelation technically, the Technirama photography is stunning and the editing is faultless, with equally wonderful scenery, sound and costumes. And the music is wonderfully evocative, especially with the approaching sound of the 4,000 Zulu warriors before we see them. The direction is excellent, the dialogue is thoughtful and the more dramatic scenes are genuinely dramatic and beautifully shot. Plus we have a great story that is told in a sophisticated way, and the cast is truly remarkable. Stanley Baker is great in the lead, while Michael Caine is wonderful in his star-making turn. Also remarkable were Richard Burton's genuinely moving narration and Chief Buthelezi playing his own ancestor. Overall, a superb film. 9/10 Bethany Cox