Rating: 
Summary: An incredible feat of spirit over sheer numbers
Review: An account of a true battle during the Zulu wars between the British and the warriors of the Zulu Chief, Cetchawayo (played, ironically enough, by the current chief of the Zulus Chief Buthelezi) in 1879. Picture the scene. An entire British garrison (1,500 men) has just been wiped out that morning by 4000 marauding Zulus. Armed with the rifles of the dead British soldiers their next target is a mission station called Rourke's Drift, a tiny enclosure consisting of a hospital and a chapel protected by only 100 men including the wounded. With only hours to spare and the knowledge of a native Boer, Aardendorff, they prepare their defences and wait. Then the Zulus come. Outnumbered 40 to 1 the battle rages through the night and the next morning. Eventually the Zulus admit defeat and salute the bravery of their enemies in one of the most breathtaking battle scenes in cinematic history. Watch out for the line after the first wave of Zulus, Bromhead: "60...We dropped at least 60, wouldn't you say?" Aardendorff: "That leaves 3940......."
Rating: 
Summary: As unique and wonderful as a war epic can be
Review: My comments are based on many years of rerunning the 16mm and Criterion laserdisc versions of this landmark film. Zulu, made in 1964, is the greatest achievement of actor/co-producer Stanley Baker's career -- and it is one of the greatest location/historical action movies ever made. (Baker co-produced Zulu with director Cy Endfield.) Nothing else in this genre really measures up, including the so-called "prequel", Zulu Dawn, or other epics based on British colonial wars, such as Khartoum. Based on the events of the action at Rourke's Drift, during the Zulu War of 1879, it was filmed in the grandeur of Natal, South Africa, with descendants of the Zulu warriors who took part in the original action portraying their forebears. The prominent Zulu politician and traditional chief, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, played the Zulu leader, Cetewayo, and the mass Zulu participation in the project guaranteed the uplifting dignity of cross-cultural characterisations of the film. Stanley Baker believed so strongly in Zulu, despite difficulties in raising finance, that he sank much of his own money into it. Playing a British Army engineer officer thrust by events into leading a desperate defensive action, he heads a strong cast, including a young Michael Caine as an upper crust infantry officer. There are wonderful cameo roles by Jack Hawkins as an alcoholic missionary; Nigel Green as the imperturbable Colour Sergeant Bourne, always ready with a calming order or a bayonet; James Booth as Private Hook, the ne'er-do-well who wins one of the several Victoria Crosses (Britain's Congressional Medal of Honor) awarded at Rourke's Drift; Patrick Magee as Surgeon Reynolds, continuing up to his elbows in surgery even as Zulus try to break in. The narration by Richard Burton is very fine, and in character with the Welsh theme of the British participants. Welsh and Zulu singing on the battlefield is spine-tingling. This film deserves the very best digital restoration and DVD transfer that technology can provide -- although, from the comments of other reviewers, it may not yet have this. A retrospective on the making of the film also should be added to a new collector's edition DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Zulu - my favorite war movie of all time
Review: From the beautiful majestic background terrain to the real Zulu's used in the Filming....Zulu grabs your attention and keeps you riveted until the end. I found myself tense wondering how the 100 odd British soldiers could manage to hold off over 4,000 Zulu warriors. The volley firing of their Martini-Henry rifles was inspiring, and except for a few stale dramatic lines of dialogue, the movie is well made as well as exciting. My favorite character was Colour Sergeant Bourne. The Actor portraying him did a great job, I'd follow him into action any day. His facial expressions were prefect and he had some of the best lines in the movie, also. "mark ye targets"...."say sir, officer on parade"...."there's a good gentleman" come to mind. For those who don't know, the British soldiers there actually suffered very few fatal casualties....about 10 I believe. Amazing, when you realize that they were fighting at very close quarters and sometimes even hand to hand. Well done, Men of Harlech.
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie but poor DVD
Review: Zulu is an excellent movie. It contains good acting, great scenery, an interesting plot, and lots of action with a minimum of gore. I would recommend it to almost anyone. The DVD is of poor quality. The widescreen version that I have seen on PBS stations is of considerably better quality and makes the film much more spectacular. I recommend the film highly, but perhaps the widescreen VHS is a better choice than this DVD. Definitely a high quality widescreen DVD would be the best.
Rating: 
Summary: This is an illegal DVD release !
Review: The copyright holders of this DVD edition of Zulu are traking the company who released this edition. No permission has been sought for publishing this edition. Legal action will commence soon. Do not buy this pirate edition as a correct version is in the process of being negotiated and may appear some time in 2001.
Rating:
Summary: zulu
Review: A brilliant film which will appeal to all. Its also true
Rating:
Summary: This may not be it, but...
Review: ...it's out there somewhere! I'm watching the movie on AMC-channel right now and I can't get over how clean and crisp this picture is! Last year when it was on TV it was dark and grainy and I was afraid it was ruined for ever. I have a VHS which is the same: horrible! Please, Amazon.com-folks...get the good version that AMC's playin' now! PLEEEASE!
Rating:
Summary: zulu dawn
Review: can i bye this movie from some one it is so hard to get it,s driveing me mad
Rating:
Summary: Do not waste your money
Review: This DVD is very poorly done. Every few frames the action freezes and it does not give even one minute of continuous running. I hope some other company will be releasing this movie as it is a favorite. It is not just one DVD. We tried two different copies from the same vendor and they were both terrible.
Rating:
Summary: Great film, awful copy.
Review: I had to think carefully about how to rate this film. One star would indicate an awful film, but, this is one of the best historical films I've ever seen. However, the copy of the film is awful. It is grainy and blurred for the most part, but, if this doesn't bother you and you can afford $5, buy it. I doubt a better version will be released. Although an old film, there are some absolutely wonderful moments of dialogue in the film along with some laughable death scenes (but, all the Zulu extras were amateus, so don't judge too harshly). The pride and aggression of these people shines through, along with some pointed references to the lack of right of the British to be there. Michael Cain is outstanding as the aristocratic, upperclass officer. If you realize that this was an actual incident and can place yourself in the event along with the men there, you really get a sense of the fear and tension present. From a purely historical viewpoint, it is important to realize that the Zulu's that attacked Rorkes Drift were not the same band of Zulu's that had wiped out 1500 British soldiers earlier in the day. Trulely, a wonderful film.
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