Zulu

Cy Endfield (1963)

138min

U Certificate

Review

Our Score

by Tony Sloman

This superb re-creation of the 1879 Battle of Rorke's Drift is a personal triumph for producer/director Cy Endfield and Welsh producer/star Stanley Baker. Baker heads a remarkable cast that includes Michael Caine in a star-making performance playing against type as a toffee-nosed lieutenant. Technically the movie is a revelation, with stunning Technirama photography (by Stephen Dade), brilliant picture editing (John Jympson), glorious music (John Barry) and a wonderfully evocative soundtrack - who could ever forget the approaching sound of the 4,000 Zulu warriors before we see them? Richard Burton's narration is genuinely moving, and watch for Chief Buthelezi as his own ancestor, Cetewayo, chief of the Zulus.

Summary

An upper-class soldier and his fellow officer stationed at Rorke's Drift in 1879 discover they have been cut off after the destruction of the main British army column in the area. They must rally their small force of 140 men against the might of 4,000 Zulu warriors advancing on their position. Fact-based historical drama, starring Michael Caine, Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, Nigel Green and Chief Buthelezi, with narration by Richard Burton.

Cast & Crew

Lieutenant John Chard, RE Stanley Baker

Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead Michael Caine

Reverend Otto Witt Jack Hawkins

Margareta Witt Ulla Jacobsson

Private Henry Hook James Booth

Colour-Sergeant Bourne Nigel Green

Private Owen Ivor Emmanuel

Sergeant Maxfield Paul Daneman

Corporal Allen Glynn Edwards

Private Thomas Neil McCarthy

Private Hitch David Kernan

Narrator Richard Burton

Private Cole Gary Bond

Surgeon Major James Reynolds Patrick Magee

Private William Jones (593) Richard Davies (2)

Corporal Frederic Schiess Dickie Owen

Sergeant Windridge Joe Powell

Cetewayo Chief Buthelezi

Hughes Larry Taylor

Director Cy Endfield

Other Information

Language: EnglishColourTheatrical distributor: Paramount Film Service LtdGuidance: Violence, swearing.Available on: video, DVD and Blu-ray

Drama

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Cy Endfield (1963)

Review

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