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Shaka Zulu

Shaka Zulu

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This Movie is Great.
Review: The scenery, the action, everything, was fantastic. I've watched this movie several times and each time I enjoy it more. Great acting, great storyline. Just great.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Fabulous epic story.
Review: The story follows Shaka,...son of the Zulu prince and his rise to greatness, but ultimately it's about the first interaction the Zulu nation had with British colonials and how everything in the royal court and the Zulu empire changes because of this first contact. Can you imagine us meeting an alien race for the first time? That's what it must have been like for Shaka and his people...There's intrigue and betrayal in the royal court; battles and the clever chess-like interaction between Shaka and Lt. Francis Farewell. What more do you want?
I'm so happy I bought this DVD set. It was truly a taste from my childhood and a story I will always enjoy.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An interesting take on an amazing person!
Review: The video is great; the one unfortunate aspect being that it is edited from the original TV series to a degree in which some of the characters do not fulfill their personalities and impact upon the life of Shaka. Aspects of Shaka's childhood have been left out that appeared in the TV series and which greatly help to clarify some of his later actions and personality traits. Yet another thing I found disappointing is that it is told from the point of a white man, a needless aspect.

In spite of this though it is a great story of a little known part of African history documenting the difficult childhood of Shaka, his rise to prominence and forging of the Zulu Empire from a kingdom of a few thousand to one of hundreds of thousands.
Some great characterizations, a particular favourite being Shaka's maiden aunt Mkabayi. If anyone is interested they may also want to purchase E.A. Ritter's book 'Shaka Zulu' which explores many of the myths surrounding Shaka. A great video though and well worth the money.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: EPIC HISTORY AT ITS BEST++++++
Review: This is a great movie. It has all of the wonderful things that a movie should have: character developement, great acting, landscapes, and costumes. Watch this film to find out what really happend to Africa and why it is in the status it's in now. It is very long though ('5' 100min tapes). Well worth the time to watch this great piece of history on film. Ranks up to "PATTON"!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Outstanding and important part of African History
Review: This is an outstanding series. This tells of the rise and power of the Warrior King Shaka Zulu. Shaka Zulu ruled with an iron fist over the Zulu Nation (current day South Africa) for over 30 years. Henry Cele portrays the powerful leader in a convincing way. This series never has a dull moment and is riveting to watch. Shaka Zulu was embittered towards his father who was a Zulu King due to his harsh treatment of his mother, sister, and grandmother and it is Shaka's quest to bring him to justice and to take over as King.

Eventually, Shaka Zulu completes his goals and crowns himself King of the mighty Zulu Nation. The Zulu's were fierce warriors, just ask the British and the Boers. A European missionary who was in the Zulu territory said that the landscape was littered with bones and skulls due to Shaka Zulu's fierceness of battle and conquest.

The story does end with the downfall and death of Shaka Zulu, as all mighty leaders must fall and die over due course, but Shaka Zulu definitely had a full life. He was cunning, a brilliant battle strategist and a great warrior, he is one of the few true conquerors of history, and is yet overlooked due to Western Civilizations ignorance of African history. Hopefully, one day this will be solved. There was controversy at the time of the making of this film in 1983 due to it being filmed and produced in Apartheid South Africa, but the film and the director due the Zulu's justice. It does not take anything away from the story and the proud history of the Zulu tribe.

This film is highly recommended to those who enjoy a riveting film about battle, treachery, revenge and triumph. The historical accuracy is also quite good with just a few minor details that were not true, but overall it is a good historical portrait of the mighty Shaka Zulu.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Outstanding and important part of African History
Review: This is an outstanding series. This tells of the rise and power of the Warrior King Shaka Zulu. Shaka Zulu ruled with an iron fist over the Zulu Nation (current day South Africa) for over 30 years. Henry Cele portrays the powerful leader in a convincing way. This series never has a dull moment and is riveting to watch. Shaka Zulu was embittered towards his father who was a Zulu King due to his harsh treatment of his mother, sister, and grandmother and it is Shaka's quest to bring him to justice and to take over as King.

Eventually, Shaka Zulu completes his goals and crowns himself King of the mighty Zulu Nation. The Zulu's were fierce warriors, just ask the British and the Boers. A European missionary who was in the Zulu territory said that the landscape was littered with bones and skulls due to Shaka Zulu's fierceness of battle and conquest.

The story does end with the downfall and death of Shaka Zulu, as all mighty leaders must fall and die over due course, but Shaka Zulu definitely had a full life. He was cunning, a brilliant battle strategist and a great warrior, he is one of the few true conquerors of history, and is yet overlooked due to Western Civilizations ignorance of African history. Hopefully, one day this will be solved. There was controversy at the time of the making of this film in 1983 due to it being filmed and produced in Apartheid South Africa, but the film and the director due the Zulu's justice. It does not take anything away from the story and the proud history of the Zulu tribe.

This film is highly recommended to those who enjoy a riveting film about battle, treachery, revenge and triumph. The historical accuracy is also quite good with just a few minor details that were not true, but overall it is a good historical portrait of the mighty Shaka Zulu.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Finally, it's the original TV series.
Review: This is nice stuff. Plot is set in the late 1700s to early 1800s in Africa about an African warlord's life who changed the nature of warfare and how he climbed to power. If you have been waiting for the full TV series, this is it. Over 550+ minutes on 3 double sided DVD disks. Video quality is alright, not perfect. Sound quality is alright, not that great. I wish they added at least one feature: Subtitles - the cool accent is sometimes hard to catch. If you like watching really long movies, this one should be one of them. I give this 4 stars, coz it's not perfect in AV quality, and I didn't like the weird witch doctor stuff, sounds historically dubious to me.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: everyone must see this informative and enlighting video.watc
Review: this is one the best movies that ive ever seen. you will come to understand the historical and the mythical side of south africa.watch it buy it,share it

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wena weZulu
Review: This movie has become the inspiration in my life. Shaka guides me day and night in all my endeavours. I won an age-group gold medal in my first Ironman, ran my first marathon in under 3 hours, and have recently been nominated for a Rhodes Scholarship. For anyone who wants not only to see an absolutely brilliant portrayal of this legend, but also has the commitment to follow in the ways of Shaka, this is THE movie to get.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Shaka Zulu
Review: This movie is an inspiration. I first saw it in ~94. It took until 1998 until I finally "became hooked". Although Shaka is brutal, the brutality was normal for his time. Shaka has been giving me strength. He is beond color. He is an inspiration. He was smart, as the English found out the hard way. Whenever I have a difficult task in front of me (as a Director of Nursing, I have many), I either watch part of the movie (you cannot watch the hole thing at once before work), or I listen to the sound track. And yes, I realize and keep in mind that Shaka was eventually killed by his own people (sort of does not let the "power" get to your head).

Now...the only thing I really wish is that I'd have the mini series of Shaka Zulu. I saw it on the History Channel on 12/24/2000 (from 10:00 AM until the cows came home ~6:00 PM or 8:00 PM).


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