Released in 1964 Zulu is from the period of time when big budget, larger than life films were very popular. Zulu joined films such as Lawrence of Arabia and Khartoum to become classic, film entertainment.

With a cast which included many well known actors of the day, Zulu benefits from a great cast.

As Lieutenant Bromhead Michael Caine steps out of his normal role. Over the years we have become so used to Caine's charming, slight cockney accent that we often forget what a fine actor he is and just how capable he is of playing various roles. In Zulu Caine plays what initially seems to be an upper class twit.

The late Jack Hawkins briefly appears in the early part of Zulu with Ulla Jacobsson as his daughter. Patrick Magee, Stanley Baker, James Booth and Ivor Emmanuel are among the cast. However most of the cast will be unknown to modern day audiences.

Do not let what I have already written though deter you from watching Zulu. This epic film is as entertaining today as ever.

The plot revolves around a small British army outpost in South Africa which comes under attack from around 4,000 Zulus. As the British army present are only around 140 in number it would seem that they do not stand a chance. Fight they must and fight they will, to the death if necessary.

The basics of the plot may sound uninspiring but how wrong you are to think that. This film shows the different characters which we so often find in life and how they all play their role and deal with the ensuing battle. With a fair number of the troops in the infirmary the task of fighting the Zulus falls on the head of far too few men.

Zulu is based on actual events which took place on January 22nd, 1879. Of course there is some poetic licence used but on the whole this film is a fair representation of events. Rorke's Drift was the setting for this battle. The surviving British army personnel deservedly received plenty of medals after this battle.

If you simply assess Zulu as a piece of entertainment, then it is 100% successful. Zulu has tension, excitement, some humour and great acting. It may be more of a film for the guys but that depends on the individual viewer.

At 138 minutes long Zulu is a substantial movie in every sense of the word.

This film may not suit everyone. To some it may appear to glorify war and the days of the great British army. However as a movie about an actual event it is a fitting tribute and a thoroughly enjoyable watching experience.

Learn more about this author, Ethel Smith.
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