Rating: 
Summary: Classic British Empire War Film
Review: I love this movie. A young, sexy beast Michael Caine in full droll mode, and beautiful brave Zulus. I think that's the remarkable thing about this film, both the British (technically it's a Welsh Division) and the Zulus come off as being outstandingly brave. And considering this film was made during the height of Apartheid in South Africa, I'm surprised the producers got away with such a favorable view of the Zulu people. The scenery is stunning, glorious locations. And the Zulu people themselves, their remarkable culture... if the scene where the Zulu warriors stop and sing in front of the Brits doesn't move you (talk about shock & awe!), something is wrong with you.
The acting is better than average. Michael Caine, arguably the greatest living actor now, is superb in one of his earliest outings. And Oh My is he wonderful to look at. Stanley Baker is also excellent, as is most of the ensemble cast. Nigel Green as the salt of the earth Sgt. keeping the men on their toes is a stand out.
Certainly there are moments of cheese, but they're few and far between. This is a very good war picture that sweeps you up and makes you care about the Brits (even though they had no business in Africa) and the fate of this tiny garrison. And it's based on real events, which makes the bravery displayed even more moving.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good War Drama
Review: This movie works well on a lot of levels...it tells the story of Rourke's Drift and is a good second movie if you want to do a double feature with Zulu Dawn.It is good if you have no idea of the whys and wherefore's of the battle as well. The viewer is placed in a small outpost that knows a tidal wave of the enemy is coming...the tension between the officers, the steadyness of the Sergent-Major and the NCO's, the reactions of various men as preparations are made... We then are there with them as assault after assault is made on their position and they are forced to reduce the perimeter and adapt as caualties and fire reduce their capability to resist. This action resulted in a mass award of the Victoria Cross and we as the viewers are left with a feeling that we understand why.
Rating:
Summary: One of the great historical action films ever made
Review: This has remained over the years one of my favorite guilty pleasures. The plot is exquisitely simple: a small contingent of British soldiers in 1879 in Natal, South Africa withhold a ferocious attack by thousands of Zulu warriors. The film is an adrenaline rush from beginning to end. Several things make this film an enduring classic of the genre. First, the magnificent location for the filming. I haven't been able to verify that the film was shot on the precise location of the battle of Rorke's Drift, but I strongly suspect that it was. Either way, it is a marvelous setting, and the huge expanses of landscape add tremendously to the effectiveness of the film. Second, the thousands of extras used in the film, played by actual Zulus, added enormously to the film's veracity. Third, and perhaps most important, the primary members of the cast were nearly all exceptional. I'll start with the exception first. Jack Hawkins is one of my favorite character actors, and in films like THE CRUEL SEA and THE BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI he more than managed to portray magnificently men of action in the best British tradition. But his role as Rev. Otto Witt just isn't very effective either dramatically or as a character. But the rest of the cast is extraordinary. Stanley Baker dominates this film, not just in his performance as the engineer who accidentally has the command of the troops come under his responsibility, but as the driving force to get the film made in the first place. Much is made of this being Michael Caine's first significant film, but not many note that instead of playing a Cockney, he plays a product of the upper class, so that he is actually playing against type. He acquits himself well, but his best performances would be in the future. Nigel Green, who only a year later would costar with Caine in THE IPCRESS FILE, dominates nearly every scene he is in as Sgt. Bourne. No matter how crazed the action around him, his character is an absolute rock. James Booth is superb as Pvt. Hook, a shifty and lazy soldier who feigns injury to avoid fighting, but when the fighting comes to him manages to fight as well as anyone in the film. Although his character seems to be the kind who is always on the verge of being thrown into the brig, according to the closing credits Pvt. Hook was actually one of several soldiers during that battle to be awarded the Victoria Cross. In fact, according to those same credits, the defenders of Rorke's Drift won an extraordinarily large number of awards for bravery. One would imagine that the number of citations surpasses that of any other military engagement in British history. This is not a deep or complex film. But that doesn't in any way keep it from being an enormously enjoyable one. I can recommend it in the highest possible terms.
Rating:
Summary: The heat of battle up close and unsettling
Review: Even though there are some excellent reviews here, I thought I would weigh in and add my voice vote to this cinema epic...
They don't make them like this anymore! Not in this era of fearful political correctness. This is a battle tale overcoming impossible odds and even if you know about the history of the Zulu War in South Africa (the Brits don't come off looking so good), this is still a great flick as because: 1)it was filmed in the its original setting of the Natal State of South Africa and its beautiful landscape; 2)the ensemble acting inc. Michael Caine in his debut film, 3)it really happened. The constant action is riveting even though it was made in the early 1960's and there's virtually no blood and gore. BUT you will find yourself finally exhaling as you weren't aware that you were tense from holding your breath. A great and true story of courage under fire.
Rating:
Summary: Beware the Goodtimes Home Video version
Review: I love this movie.
Just beware of the VHS edition put out by Goodtimes Home Video. They used a lousy print of the movie and it really looks bad. Hopefully there are other editions out -- ideally on DVD -- that look a lot better. Good luck. : )
Rating:
Summary: Great Film! get also ZULU DAWN if you haven't yet.
Review: A great war film, with negligible small mistakes on the uniforms details. Get also Zulu Dawn wich is a superb account of the action at ISANDLWHANA the day before (it will help you to put the ZULU film in context...). Actually uniforms are more correctly reserchaed and rendered on ZULU DAWN, but probably "ZULU" is a more endearing one due to the acting of Caine, Hawkins etc. (only Burt Lancaster is superb in Zulu Dawn).
Very good films about the Zulu War.
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Summary: DVD RELEASE
Review: I HAVE THE FRONT ROW EDITION DVD. IT IS OKAY QUALITY, WIDESCREEN BUT NOT VERY SHARP IMAGES. MGM WILL RELEASE IT MAY 20TH -- OUGHT TO BE GREAAAAAAAAAATTTT QUALITY!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: This film is a masterpiece, and an influential action film. It accuaratly prtrays the events of January 22nd 1879, and captures the small British garrison's heroic struggle for survival. Anyone with an intrest of movies, or British Military history should own a copy.
Rating:
Summary: Not Like Other Films
Review: This is truly a memorable film: once seen, never forgotten. I saw it when it first came out, and it has stuck firmly in mind ever since. There is something unique about it, and it's difficult to say exactly what it is. Is it the spectacular scenery and setting? Is it the realisation that these events (most of them) actually happened? Is it the fabulous Zulu dancing and chanting? The acting, although perfectly fine, isn't really that remarkable. I think it must be something to do with the very unusual pacing of the story, which manages to be both understated yet totally gripping. In fact, I suggest most great films have this undercurrent of a particular rhythm in the way their scenes are cut together, and how the events unfold. The story, of course, is sure-fire: for how can men die better/than facing fearful odds/for the honour of their fathers/and the glory of their gods? Finally, that stirring Welsh singing of that tremendous battle-song. However, as many viewers have pointed out, it is a pity that the writers decided to insert the fake characters. The truth didn't need it, since the simple, unvarnished facts were even more remarkable than any fiction. If I was one of Hook's descendants I would be seriously sore; and the missionary actually had three infant children and a wife, not a completely dippy, useless, grown-up daughter. It is even more fantastic that the officers were in truth too old, deaf and incompetent to be trusted with bigger military roles. Nevertheless, it still remains an unforgettable movie experience, which manages to surmount any criticism. Perhaps there's also something about the dedication and integrity which Baker showed in making it which carries it beyond any denigration.
Rating:
Summary: Great Film even with major inaccuracies
Review: There are numerous Reviews that tell us a great deal of the story of Rorke's Drift, and some detail a number of the film's careless historical handling of that epic event. One is the inclusion of the drunken Lutheran Missionary and his daughter, who were never there.
It is a pity that the film fails to mention one of the real heroes of Rorke's Drift - the Padre. According to contemporary accounts, the Rev Smith was as inspiration as he ran from man to man, carrying ammunition, roaring encouragement and powerful biblical texts. Back in Britain, he was known as one of the heroes of Rorke's Drift, and was 'mentioned in despatches.'
He became known as 'Ammunition Smith' because of the stirling work he did, handing out the ammunition. He was depicted as a very large, red-bearded man, slightly wild in appearance, in a painting of the seige.
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