"Movie "Zulu"" Topic

Its not the period I model or play, (time and money have restricted me to only two periods), but I was very impressed with the movie ""Zulu" when I first saw it back in 1965, (I believe), so much so that I had to purchase a DVD version of it recently. Would any TMP contributors care to comment on how accurate it is considered to be? Just a matter of curiosity. Thanks in advance to anyone who cares to render any opinions or insights. John Miller

IIRC the main points of inaccuracy are regarding Hook's character (a true hero rather than a malingering reluctant hero) and that the film doesn't show that the Zulu's withdrawal was due to the approach of the relief column and the Zulu force being exhausted from long marches, the battle of Isandlwana, and a lack of food. Also I don't believe Bromhead was quiet as much of a twerp, and it wasn't really a Welsh regiment.

Still one of the most gripping war movies ever made.

Love the movie. From reading a very fine book called WASHING OF THE SPEARS, sounds like the actual battle and characters were different, of course, but what a great movie anyway!

IMDB Zulu Goofs

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yep, still a great war movie

I love that movie. The movie could have other things in it like the night bayonet attack to re-capture one of the water buffaloes, but because of limited film tech for making scenes at night it was never added.

It's a great revision of the myths the event created, and gets enough of the actual realities of the historical event right to make most audiences happy.

And it's one of the best films, let alone war films, made.

A terrific film and "close enough for government work."

I hear there are minor uniform things. Also, the "counting of the rifles" didn't happen, the Zulus just attacked. Great film, even if the song is wrong.

As others have said, it's a case of never let history get in the way of a good film (or game, for that matter). Have fun watching it--you're in for a treat!

Too good to care!Officer on Parade!! Do you think a Welshman can sing better than that?They have a good Bass section ,but no top tenors ,that's for sure. I am sorry were we talking historical accuracy,or the best war flick ever made!!!!!!!

Saw it at the movie theatre in the 60's
Could very well be my favorite movie of all time. Wow. Did I just say that. There are so many great ones.

Great movie. Number one for me. Saw it at a drive in theater.

The "counting of the rifles" , "the singing of Men of Harlech" and the "Salute to Fellow Warriors" were all things that probably didn't happen but those scenes really made the movie and even if it didn't happen that way it should have!

The missionary was much younger than portrayed and was not at the station at the time of the battle. Nor was his daughter, who was either eight or six, depending on which source you believe.

If I remember rightly, there wasn't a Sergeant Major/Colour Sergeant type there.

Nicking the rifles from the dead at Isandlwana was incorrect. The Zulus at Rorkes Drift were the right (?) horn that went all the way around the battlefield, missed the action, so decided to attack 'Jim's place'. It was also a little bit of early 20th C chauvinism, every Zulu warrior already had a gun, it suited the times more to have them as savages with spears who had to steal the guns. (They couldn't aim though, that was correct)

As someone said, 'counting of the rifles' was incorrect, I think in the Ian Knight book he says they just came around the mountain in a great column and straight into the attack.

Although the 1960's film was hardly PC, they did cut out the real description of the approaching Impi by the pickets. I'll not relate it here.

According to Ian Knight, the real hero of planning the defence of Rorkes Drift was Acting Assistant Commissary James Dalton, who is only given a very small part in the film. And the army chaplain Reverend George Smith was written out, even though he was the picket, not two 'dozy Welshmen'.

Witt got a bad show in the film as well, he wasn't a drunken bore, he only left because he was worried about his family in an isolated farm.

There is a very good and interesting book on the film, its making and the historical representations in it.

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It's one of those books where it's all in there and you need to sort it out, but it's very interesting on the politics behind it and Stanley Baker's drive to put a Welsh Nationalist epic on the screen at the time concerned.

If I remember rightly, there wasn't a Sergeant Major/Colour Sergeant type there.

Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne was indeed there and was the last survivor of the battle dying in 1945. Commissary Dalton had held the rank of Sgt Major when he pensioned out of the regular army in 1870, so he is a yes and no.

Although the 1960's film was hardly PC, they did cut out the real description of the approaching Impi by the pickets. I'll not relate it here.

Ahhh yes, the description was used verbatim by Bill Paxton's character in the movie Edge of Tomorrow to describe the approach of the aliens on the beach. Of course, he was talking about aliens and not Zulu's so no real racial context (unless xenophobia counts) in the quote there.

Less historical than 'Glory' but more accurate than 'The Patriot'.

Bottom line is it's a great movie.

Amusing detail – when Stanley Baker turned up for the filming in Sth Africa, he had a full beard – just like the contemporary photos of the real Lt. Chard (and Bromhead for that matter). For some reason he removed it for the filming.

I stand corrected Reaper :)

The cattle stampede was not historically accurate. My understanding is that the production was not allowed to pay the native extras the same as the white extras and that this scene was added so that a large heard of cattle could be purchased and then donated to the tribal extras in place of the pay differential.

Battle did not go into a second day like in the movie. Bromhead was nearly deaf in really life.

There is a good analysis of the movie v. real history here.
rorkesdriftvc.com/zulu.htm
It also has all the best quotes from the movie.

I forgive all the inaccuracies because it is just a dog gone good movie!

Good thing it turned out good the first time because there will never be a re-make, IMHO.

And the back-and-forth with bayonet/iklwa at the barricades was NOT the essence of the fight. It was a close range shooting match with Zulus banging away at close range from behind the outbuildings/local cover with their usual wide variety of firearms (flintlock, caplock, muzzle and breech loaders, etc).

The movie has not been beaten yet for sheer action and excitement, and likely won't be again for PC reasons.

But in the end, Rorke's Drift was a gunfight, not a knife fight.

TVAG

…so that a large heard of cattle could be purchased and then donated to the tribal extras in place of the pay differential.

My understanding as well, save credit is usually given to Stanley Baker, star and driving force to get the movie made.

I found the only disappointment I had with Zulu was watching Zulu Dawn.

Doug

I liked the film, but the British are in open order behind cover, and take lots of assegai kills on them, whereas I believe (apart from in the hospital)the only kills were from primitive firearms.

I liked Zulu Dawn a lot!

Pretty historical in a broad sense, but like all movies some changes (tactical details and charactors) were made for entertainment value or to build up the suspense.

All Hands: Wow! I am most grateful for all you responses, thank you all! I learned a lot. I will enjoy the movie even more the next time I watch it. Thanks, John Miller

Probably not the most accurate movie ever, but brilliant piece of cinematography nonetheless.

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Probably the most detailed summary of inaccuracies and artistic licence you'll find in 'Zulu', right down to the incorrect medals worn by Nigel Green, the wrong webbing and even Michael Caine's teeth!

But still the one of the best 'war' films and the one that inspired my fascination for all things colonial.