Zulu

Rating:
Summary: True Courage
Review: As a portrayal of pure, unglorified heroism, Zulu has no equal. Both sides in this epic battle are shown as real men, warriors all, and there is no dwelling on the moral rectitude of either the British soldiers or the Zulu opponents. The scenery is breathtaking, the colors vibrant, and the action almost non-stop. Better yet, the dialogue is intelligent, and the characters are not stereotypes. This is undboutedly the best war movie ever made, and the new Troma remastering provides the best copy for home viewing ever made available. Although the DVD is obviously recorded from a film print that has been around a while, the occasional twinkling white specks and rare green cats eyes that flicker past do not detract from the otherwise excellent transfer. The widescreen picture is sharp, with deep colors and excellent contrast, and the sound is equally brilliant. This DVD version far surpasses my previous Beta and VHS tapes, and I am truly pleased with finally having a sharp, widescreen copy of my all-time favorite movie.

Rating:
Summary: A Great film with some historical inaccuracies
Review: Like others have already mentioned here, this war film is surely one of the best for its sheer epic scope and incredible dramatic battle scenes. Well-acted and masterfully directed, this DVD is one not to miss for military action fans. Unfortunately, the director took liberties with some historical facts. This in no way detracts from the film's enjoyment and will probably not matter to action buffs, but military history fans should be warned. As another reviewer has pointed out, the portrayal of Pvt. Hook as a malinger is dead wrong. In addition, the drunken missionary and his busty daughter were not at the scene as portrayed. Furthermore, Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead were not the clean-shaven, handsome and decisive leaders as portrayed in the film. Bromhead was close to stone deaf. This plus his generally assumed less than competent command presence led him to be left at Rorke's Drift while his regiment marched on. Lt. Chard was an engineering officer with little or no combat experience. In the film, Chard especially and Bromhead to some extent, are seen as making all the crucial defense strategies. In fact, it was a grizzled senior sergeant whose ideas were employed by the officers that led to the successful defense.
Again however, this film still manages to stir the soul and present a realistic view of the nightmarish defense of Rorke's Drift and the heroism of desperate men.

Rating:
Summary: Troma Version Getting Warmer
Review: I just finished watching this Troma version of Zulu. It is NOT anamorphic so the setting on my widescreen made the picture a tad grainy but it's the best DVD version so far. They picked the best print they could find I'm sure (pretty decent) but no effort was made to perfect it. At least I can replace my video version of this film with confidence and at THIS price it's a real bargain.

Rating:
Summary: Zulu from Troma?????
Review: One of my favorite films from childhood that gets better with age. At this point I have not viewed the new TROMA (of all people(?), release. The DVD I own now is so pitiful, so cheaply made, that I am willing to pay for another copy to see if I can get a DVD version worth watching. I have a better print that I taped off the History Cannel that the Zulu DVD currently in release. This movie is so beautifully photographed, and so subtle. But the version I own is not color barred or contrast corrected. The dawn approach of the impis (Zulu regiments) against the lightening sky is nothing but black with the "locomotive" (assagai on shields) soundtrack menacingly announcing nothing. The scarlet uniforms of the 41st and 42nd Welsh Foot are dirt brown and the whole thoing seems to be shot through an old unpolarized set of Raybans. So, I hope Troma's re-release is worth the money. if not, I'll send it back!

Rating:
Summary: History in Action!
Review: The massacre of nearly 1,500 British soldiers of the 24th Regiment of Foot on January 22nd, 1879 at Isandhlwana, Natal Province by warriors of the Zulu Nation is on record as the worst disaster ever inflicted on a modern army by a primitive one. After the battle at Isandhlwana, the Zulu warriors turned their attention to Rourke's Drift, a lonely Missionary station where the 24th had set up a supply depot and hospital. It is the desperate and courageous defense of this remote station by 140 British soldiers against the determined attacks of 4,000 Zulu warriors that is the subject of this film.
Zulu is a historically accurate reproduction of the Defense of Rourke's Drift. Every detail is painstakingly accurate: the uniforms of British Infantry and Engineers, the Martini-Henry rifles and Webley revolvers, foil sealed cases of ammunition, and the tactics that were used by the besieged British to fight off the Zulus.
Extraordinary acting performances are given by Michael Caine as Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, the arrogant, aristocratic officer who is humbled by his experience of the battle, a performance made even more impressive by the fact that this was Caine's first film; Stanley Baker, the Officer of Engineers who takes command of the detachment and leads the heroic defense; Nigel Green as the brave, correct Colour-Sergeant Bourne, the rock-solid pillar of Britishness; and James Booth as the rebellious Private Hook who turns hero and saves many of his comrades.
Narrated by Richard Burton and featuring spectacular cinematogrophy filmed on location in Natal, Zulu is a masterful telling of one of the greatest stories in the annals of Military History, and a shining moment in the history of British arms. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to defenders of Rourke's Drift, and this film is a worthy tribute to their heroism. It should be in everyone's DVD library.

Rating:
Summary: 20th Century version of a 19th Century action
Review: Some time after seeing ZULU in theatrical release, I found Morris' *The Washing of the Spears* and learned that some significant details of the film were in error. For one thing, very few of the defenders of Rorke's Drift were the beardless young soldiers depicted in the movie, most of 'B' Company, 2/24th, being regulars of long service. For another, the depiction of Assistant Commissary James Langley Dalton as a fussy "old maid" type was unspeakably unfair. (Dalton was in fact a former Sergeant-Major with a Line Regiment, the 85th [Kings] Light Infantry, and was the individual responsible for convincing Lt. Chard to fortify and stand against the Ulundi Corps at the mission station. For his courage and the role he played in the defense of the Drift he was himself quite justly awarded the Victoria Cross.)

In the 20th Century, we've become accustomed to seeing the ranks of infantry companies filled with young conscripts, usually 18 to 20 years of age, and we've lost touch with the fact that most of the "Little Wars" of Victorian England were fought by battalions of regulars wherein private soldiers were commonly in their late 20s and early 30s, with eight or ten years' service in their respective regiments. Moreover, we're inclined to think of noncombatant support troops like Commissary Dalton as "civilians in uniform" when in actuality they were likely to be hardened military veterans "double-dipping" in secondary careers (when they weren't active-duty NCOs or commissioned officers seconded to support functions).

Finally, there are the romantically heroic depictions of Chard and Bromhead with which ZULU has to contend, the characterizations of these officers being very much at odds with historical record. In reality, Rorke's Drift was almost entirely a Sergeants' fight, with Colour Sergeant Bourne and ex-Sergeant Dalton largely responsible for the successful organization and execution of a skillful and tenacious defense against incredible odds.

ZULU is an excellent action/adventure film, and stands up well even today, but it could have been even better had it been done with greater historical veracity, paying overdue tribute to the career enlisted men who made the British regimental system of the 19th Century the exemplary organizational model it was.

Rating:
Summary: Battle of Rorke's Drift
Review: This is probably one of the most authentic recreations of any war campaign that I have seen. Having been to the actual battle site at Rorkes Drift (was a mission station in KwaZulu-Natal used by the British as a supply station) and seeing the movie, leaves one in awe. The sheer size of the Zulu force and the bravery of the mission's defenders must have in real-life been awesome to see. The film provides a wonderful insight into the Queen's gentleman's army and the rivalry between commissioned soldiers. The men are true to form, chancers, brave soldiers and normal scared ones. The Zulu commanders are tactically astute and portrayed honestly and true to the doctrines of the day. A wonderful film, with excellent attention to detail, dramatic and will captivate audiences no matter what. Hambani Kahle ("Go well" in Zulu).

Rating:
Summary: Quality Film about the defence of Rourkes Drift
Review: This is the film version of the British victory over the Zulus at Rourkes Drift.Where about 150 soldiers(mostly English,not Welsh which tends to be the common belief)defended a Mission Station against 4000 Zulus.The highest number of Victoria Crosses given out for a single action were awarded(11 in total)
The Film starts by showing the end of the Battle of Isandhlwana where 1500 British Soldiers were massacred by 20,000 Zulus.Part of the force then goes on to attack the Mission Station at Rourkes Drift.Michael Caine gives a different(But good) performance as rather posh Officer in charge 'Gonville Bromhead' but he's upstaged by Colour Sargent Bourne(Nigel Green)
Also i should also point out that the Zulus are NOT shown as evil beyond belief monsters who eat children and are completely stupid as is the trend in most modern Historically 'Accurate' films i.e The Patriot.They are shown as brave warriors who have tactics and a more than able leader.
Overall.
A true Classic.

Rating:
Summary: The best of the Zulu War Films by Far
Review: This is a true story of a small detachment of British Soldiers at a small mission post in Zululand. Takes place after the Zulus attack and destroy the main British encampment. This small force under a gentleman infantry officer who has no combat experience and a British engineering officer also with no combat experience but who out ranks the infantry officer by some months in grade, performs the most outstanding and heroic stand against thousands of Zulu Warriors. Even the Zulus salute the brave and valiant men of this British detachment when they depart. More Victoria crosses were won by the men of this band of soldiers than in any other engagement in the entire Zulu and Boer wars combined. The actors are great and the film is a must to see and own. This referres to the DVD and the VHS versions.

Rating:
Summary: Troma's Going All Classy On Us
Review: For a studio that subjected us to 'Maniac Nurses Find Ecstasy', Troma's release of 'Zulu' comes as a complete surprise. Zulu is my all time favorite war movie, with unforgettable battle sequences and razor-sharp suspense.It's not what you'd expect from Troma, but entertaining nonetheless.