SETTING: Natal, Africa. Rorke's Drift
RATING: Unrated, action, adventure, drama
PLOT: The British still have this idea that they can just waltz into a country and squat. a few thousand African warriors might have some thing to say about that.
QUOTES:
Lieutenant John Chard: Mr. Bourne, there should be 12 more men working on this redoubt.
Color Sgt. Bourne: They're very tired, sir.
[Chard whirls around]
Lieutenant John Chard: I don't give a damn! And I want this wall nine feet high, firing steps on the inside. Form details to clear away the Zulu bodies, rebuild the south rampart, keep 'em moving! Do you understand?
Color Sgt. Bourne: Yes sir... very good, sir.
THOUGHTS: I gotta say this film is fantastic! The first time I saw this film I was no more than 8 years old, It scared the shit out of me. More so the tribe singing and dancing their Zulu charge songs than the actual battle scenes. The portrayal of the British pomp is almost to ridiculous to bear, "oh, my old chap, we are British. Nobody kills British soldiers without the queens permission." type attitude. Too funny. All in all a wonderful flick.
SYNOPSIS:On the January 22nd 1879 the British Army suffered one of its worst defeats in the Empire's history. When Zulu forces massacred 1,500 British troops at Isandlhwana, the Zulu force, numbering in excess of 4000 warriors, advanced on a British hospital and supply dump guarded by 139 Welsh infantrymen. The film concentrates on this bloody 12 hour battle during which the British force, under their commander from the Royal Engineers, who happened to be in the area building a bridge, won 11 Victoria Crosses.
CONCLUSION: A true and utter classic! All should see this film if you have an interest in history. A definitive keeper, along with Zulu Dawn. Both films show three sides to this tale. One being the might and naivety of the British forces, another the compassion for the native people and third shows the strength and determination of a warrior people bent on the "peaceful" life that they have known.
THEIR RATING: Brian koller from Epinions.com, 4 out of 5: Director Cy Endfield had for years wanted to make a film about the battle for Rorke's Drift, where some 120 British soldiers held off thousands of attacking Zulu warriors in 1879. After the battle, eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded, at the time the most ever for a single battle. The battle became the stuff of legend in England, inspiring several generations until the aftershocks of World War II put an end to 'Rule Britannia'.
MY RATING: 4 OUT OF 5: The Cinematography is great. The portrayal of the Zulus is a little harsh, but who is to say that it might not be true. If you were to fight for your livelihood would you not do the same? Michael Caine in his first main character role was superb. the supporting crew added alot of flavor. Stanley Baker was, of all the characters, my favorite. His character took into consideration all that needed to be done. Not only trying to save his fellow man but had a respect for the Zulus only a real commander would have for his foe. Watch it!
