Zulu (1964)

Cast: Michael Caine (Lt. Gonville Bromhead), Stanley Baker (Lt. John Chard), Jack Hawkins (Rev. Otto Witt), James Booth (Pvt. Henry Hook), Ulla Jacobsson (Margareta Witt)

Director: Cy Endfield

Genre: Historical/ Action/ Drama


I can’t say for sure whether there are a lot of biographical war movies that can keep an audience on the edge of their seat- even though the audience might be well educated in their history and already know how the movie will end as witnessed in time. This movie is an “edge of your seat” film that keeps the audience locked in from beginning to end. It’s about the British war with the Zulu tribe in Africa January 22, 1879. After the British have suffered an immense massacre of 1500 troops by the Zulus, 4000 Zulu warriors return to infiltrate a small British infantry that remains. Only 140 British soldiers, composed of Welsh infantrymen, are left to single handedly fight against the Zulus. The British maintain a closed circle tactic inside a British supply dump, and keep constant fire against the Zulu warriors. The Zulus themselves retreat and return over and over in order to wear out the British. This film concentrates on the historical 12-hour battle. It maintains historical accuracy in the crucial parts of the war. The realism is incredible and the intensity of this battle is well documented in the film portrayal. Just by the fact that the film sticks to historical truths is commendable as most history movies normally divulge in many ways. Michael Caine, as always, plays his role seriously. He always gets just the right emotions down well and at the right times. Acting must be second nature to him. He never shows himself through his acting but really becomes the person he is portraying. Even my favorite actor, Sir Anthony Hopkins, usually shows a bit of himself in his characters. Michael Caine was perfect for his role. He is never the same actor in his movies! I never found this movie dull at any time. It goes through the major points of the real war. It gives a good lesson in the importance of confidence and perseverance in achieving goals no matter how impossible they seam. I definitely recommend this film to everyone.