Director: Cy Endfield.
Cast: Stanley Baker, Nigel Green, Michael Caine (introducing)
In the early to mid-1960s, massive worldwide shifts happened. All the “colonies” were becoming independent. Old timers could see their nations crumble in front of their eyes. No wonder, in this atmosphere, the English-speaking world took to a gentleman named James Bond, who personified all that was good and great about the British. Subconsciously, most could associate that this had made the Empire great – a few good men.{ For more on this, do refer to this excellent book “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang[1], which analyses why the spy mania and “empire mania” of the 1960s happened on film }
In this context, Zulu was one of the earliest movies that subconsciously spoke of the glory of the Empire and its stiff-upper-lip soldiers who fought the Zulus at Rorke’s Drift while being heavily outnumbered by the Zulus. That is a historical fact.
After their defeat at Isandhlwana (refer to the earlier post on Zulu Dawn ), the British had more or less retreated to safer zones where they could consolidate their strength.
At Rorke’s drift was a Mission hospital whose thundering priest Otto Witt (Jack Hawkins) believes he can reason with the Zulus, with Christian charity and nonviolence.
Based on his preaching the native helpers desert and it is only the British soldiers who are there to defend the mission. Halfway through the battle, he and his daughter are packed off as bad influences on the men’s fighting spirit.
Lt. John Chard (Stanley Baker), an engineer by training, knows things are going wrong and instinctively starts setting up defensive positions. Lt. Bromhead, the post’s commandant, initially objects to using his men but soon hands over command to Chard on seniority. Aided by the rock-like Colour Sergeant Bourne (Nigel Green), they set their defences. Only 97 men are fit and even the sick are asked to join.
A Boer adviser tells them that the Zulus are not the savages they are made out to be and have an intelligent battle plan that looks like the horns and head of a buffalo. When the enemy attacks the head, the horns come together to finish the enemy
The battle starts, and no mercy is shown by either side.
The Zulus don’t mind losing men, but it is not the case for the British, whose numbers are dwindling with each attack.
Finally, the Zulus call the attack off the next day. They sing a song praising the British and melt away.
Zulu was a huge hit, no doubt fuelled by the nostalgia for the then-crumbling Empire. It also introduced Michael Caine as Bromhead, who is initially a bit of a twit but soon shows what a “real Englishman is made of”.
Once the Zulus attack, the action is almost nonstop, with brief pauses for refilling and restocking ammunition, collecting the wounded and checking to see if the numbers are still intact or dwindling further.
Some of the earlier racist talks are negated by the Zulus showing respect for the British at the battle’s end. Halfway through the battle, the British soldiers also recognise a fearless enemy.
Fire and movement 19th-century style is shown very well. When volley fire is ordered, the first rank fires and stays in place, manually reloading the rifle with one round. The second rank behind it comes forward, fires and the entire drill is repeated till the Zulu attack is repelled.
There are no heavy weapons – it is rifles, spears, and bayonets in hand-to-hand combat.
Eleven VC – Victoria Cross, the highest British gallantry medal – were awarded in this battle.
John Barry rises to the occasion by delivering a roaring inspiring theme music that recurs through the film every time something is about to happen. This theme music is even ominous at times when Chard sees something happening in the distance, it can be heard in the background. Along with John Barry’s rousing music, the starting and ending narration is by Richard Burton.
The film was shot in Natal in South Africa, near the actual locations. Michael Caine (who just turned 90 two weeks back) was “introduced “in this film. Technically this is not his first film, as he had walk-on parts in earlier films, but this is his first film in a leading role that catapulted him into stardom. Stanley Baker and Nigel Green are old warhorses who have been the mainstay of British war movies in the 1950s and 1960s.
The film is free on YouTube https://youtu.be/NVokKq2CdO4
Real History/ Historical background – 4 out of 5
Script – 4 out of 5
Story – 4 out of 5
Direction – 4 out of 5
Overall Rating – 4 out of 5
[1] https://www.amazon.in/Kiss-Bang-British-Thrillers-Casino/dp/0008172250/ref=sr_1_1?crid=230KWC5YLIHPG&keywords=kiss+kiss+bang+gang&qid=1679767994&sprefix=kiss+kiss+bang+gang%2Caps%2C311&sr=8-1
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