Zulu Is The Greatest True Story Ever To Be Told
- Jun 26, 2017
- 2 min read
It is January 23rd, 1879. Smoke and the shouts of the wounded drift across the mission station of Rorke’s Drift. For the past 10 hours no more than 150 men, soldiers of the Royal Engineers, held back 4000 Zulu warriors. The battle has come to a close, not one of them unscathed. It is a turning point in the Anglo-Zulu war, one that will never be forgotten.
Lieutenant John Chard (Stanley Baker) of the Royal Engineers has been assigned to build a bridge over the Buffalo River in preparation for a coming British invasion. His work has put him at odds with the local regiments own Lieutenant Bromhead (Michael Caine). But their petty dispute pales in comparison to what is coming. Following the crushing defeat of the British army at the battle of Isandlwana, the great Zulu host, excited by their recent victory, turns their attention to the small outpost of Rorke’s Drift. The defenders, Chard and Bromhead and 122 British soldiers. The battle will not be an easy one, and they are not expected to survive.
Not only is Zulu an adaptation of one of the greatest military victories but it’s also one of the best movies ever made. Helped in part by the absurd odds faced by the British, and also by the very fact that it actually happened, Zulu features some excellent acting, with Baker and Caine giving arguably the best performances of their careers but it tosses in some action that holds up incredibly well, along with a truly rousing score.
Jack Hawkins’ Otto Witt, a drunk preacher, is wonderful. He’s some what over the top as he declares that they army will be struck down, that they should flee in the face of the seemingly endless foe. The banter between the various characters feels very much like that between friends and every actor on display earns their keep. From the Jones who refer to each other my numbers, a Boer tracker who gives vital insight to a Swiss policeman, Otto’s daughter and the disorderly Private Hook (James Booth) are well established and even better acted.
There’s no reason not to watch Zulu. Since I first watched it right up until this very day, it holds its own. The film is enthralling, entertaining and exhilarating. As far as I’m concerned it’s one of the best tales ever put to screen, and will be for sometime yet.
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