Movie reviews: Zulu
Based on true events, this movie recounts the Battle of Rorke's Drift where 139 British soldiers defended a small missionary station against 4-5,000 Zulu warriors. The whole situation was a result of the Battle of Isandlwana, at which a British expeditionary force of 2000 was sent to crush a Zulu uprising. Thanks the incompetence of the British commanders and the skilled Zulu leader ship, the soldiers were massacred. The Zulus then moved on to do the same to those in the missionary station at Rorke's Drift (a third of whom were injured). The British soldiers bravely stood fast against everything the Zulus threw at them and eventually proved victorious. Eleven of the soldiers received the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration awarded for bravery. It was the number of the medal awarded for any single action. The movie is also notable for the being the film debut of a certain Michael Caine. He played Lt. Bromhead, the snobby aristocratic officer. It will be quite a surprising departure for those of you more familiar with the cheeky Cockney roles he is more famous for.
Another classic movie that it took me ages to get around to watching. Perfect Sunday afternoon fare as well. I can remember as a kid when my dad used to sit down to something like this after Sunday lunch.
There was precisely one female character of note, the missionary's daughter. She left about halfway through the movie, which left all the men to duke it out. It was all very manly, two groups of fierce warriors fighting to the death. It was another one of those movies that makes you proud to be British. However, Welsh viewers might feel even more proud as many of the soldiers at Rorke's Drift were Welsh themselves. Yes, there was a lots of 'isn't it' and 'boyo' going on. Their singing voices were an important plot point too. The Zulus were chanting their war song, so the Welsh soldiers sang back at them.
Click to viewIt really brings a tear to your eye, doesn't it?
Four pointy hats.
Next time: The Thirty Nine Steps (1979)