Zulu

Zulu

Director: Cy Endfield

Year: 1964

Starring: Michael Caine, Stanley Baker and Jack Hawkins

     When you watch a film like Zulu, you remember that war movies are not limited to World War I, World War II and Vietnam. It seems that way as those are the most popular subjects when it comes to this type of film. Zulu shows that war movies don't necessarily have to be about any iconic war, but just an iconic battle to be good. 

     The film dramatizes the events at the Battle of Rorke's Drift in January 1879. The British were at war with the Zulu people, and this battle is one of the most remembered events, as 150 British soldiers successfully held over 4000 Zulu warriors. It shares many similarities to the Battle of Thermopylae, where 300 Spartans held off the Persian army in the same fashion (and yes, it did form the basis for 300, which is not historically accurate, but it's still a damn fine film). 

     Among the cast is legendary actor Michael Caine in his big screen debut. He joins the ranks with veteran actors Stanley Baker and Jack Hawkins. While he didn't receive top billing because he was a new actor, DVD releases today use Caine's image to promote the film, even taking up over 50% of the DVD artwork. 

     The film's strength is not Michael Caine, however. The real stars are the Zulu extras themselves, who were real Zulu people. Everything they do in the film is authentic, and it gives the film even more credibility. Most Hollywood films would hire extras that resembled the Zulu people, but Cy Endfield chose to shoot the film in South Africa and use the locals. It gives you the opportunity to see some Zulu customs, such as dances and celebrations, but also their military strengths. 

     The film takes a little bit of time, but it gives all the major characters appropriate screen time, so we as an audience can get to know them better. Remember, there weren't very many of these people here, and most of them were wounded. It helps you identify with these people, and when the impressive number of Zulu people start closing in on their attack, you really feel for them, and you feel as helpless as the characters simply because there's nothing you can do. 

     That's another great element to the film. The battle scenes between the Zulus and the British are superb, and the contrast between the British guns and Zulu shields and spears is effective, because even though the Zulus are a lot more primitive, they come off a lot more intimidating. It really shows the strength of the Zulu people, and that modern technology isn't always better.

     The film ends with an epic climax that culminates in the end of the Battle of Rorke's Drift. Zulu demonstrates that any war, that is any famous battle, can make a good film, regardless of the time it was set. Cy Endfield even wrote and directed a prequel, Zulu Dawn, in 1979. Everything about the film, from the excellent score by John Barry (who helped compose the James Bond Theme), Cy Endfield's direction, and the unintentionally humorous dialogue by Nigel Green's Colour Sargent Frank Bourne, Zulu is a classic war film that will entertain, and help you appreciate the history behind it.