Movie Review: Zulu
There is nothing cinematically significant about the film—no new techniques, concepts or themes were innovated. In terms of notability, it marks the first starring appearance of Michael Caine.
Other than being solidly made and acted, the fact-based Zulu has little to recommend itself other than the fact that it is the ultimate guy movie.The film starts by depicting the aftermath of the destruction of a British force of 1,100 men by the Zulu tribe in January 1879. The scene then shifts to a small garrison of about 100 British soldiers—many of whom are sick and wounded—at the Rorke’s Drift river station. Word soon reaches the garrison, under the command of Lt. Gonville Bromhead (Caine) that there is a force of 4,000 Zulus heading his way with the aim of finishing the work started at the beginning of the movie. Bromhead, inexperienced in combat, soon finds his command usurped by engineering officer Lt. John Chard (Stanley Baker, who also co-produced the film). Chard had been sent to build a bridge and, thus, escaped being “chopped” with the rest of the column earlier that day. The British defenders stalwartly prepare for the attack, which comes soon enough.
The run-up to the battle—among some of the best war scenes of their kind in cinematic history—takes up about the first half of the film. Though it can seem tedious at times, it sets up the way these men will meet their fate. Among the men we meet, there’s Pvt. Owen (Ivor Emmanuel), leader of the regimental choir; Colour Sgt. Bourne (Nigel Green), who knows that a “prayer is as good as bayonet on a day like this;” Adendorff (Gert van der Bergh), the Boer who understands the lethal Zulu strategy of the bull buffalo; Pvt. Hook (James Booth), the malingerer; and Surgeon Maj. Reynolds (Patrick Magee), the doctor who is under-supplied and irascible to boot. Throw in a couple of sanctimonious Swedish missionaries (Jack Hawkins and Ulla Jacobsson) and you have the makings of an explosive class struggle.But class and internal conflict end when the Zulus attack. It is here that the movie really shines and gets into its guy groove. Attacks are repelled, individual soldiers show their true heroic colors, and new cinematic friends die all to a pulse-pounding score by John Barry (of James Bond fame).
The film has several elements that make it the perfect guy movie. There’s the daunting task, the ordinary guys thrown into extraordinary circumstances, and that steely British resolve that we all wish we possessed. Several moments of the movie are just seared into my memory. When Bromhead leads his men in a gap-filling bayonet charge for the first time, the first time the troopers using firing lines to repel the charging Zulus (this is the ultimate guy moment), the singing of “The Men of Harlech” led by Pvt. Owen while the Zulus beat their shields in a seemingly preparatory victory chant. There are other moments—I don’t want to give them all away nor do I want to give away the ending of the story that has been called the British “Alamo” (and remember it’s a true story—though rather toned down from the original events).What probably helps to make it a movie that has stood the test of time is that screenwriter John Prebble, a well-known and respected Marxist historian, humanized all of his characters—the officers might have stiff upper lips, but they do quiver from time to time, Hook might be a lumpen proletariat, but he is capable of heroics when necessary. The Zulus, too, are portrayed not as mindless killing machines, as an “other” that needs to be vanquished, but, rather as noble, brave warriors. The British soldiers and their adversaries are simply caught in the web of history (Prebble’s only overt target is religion). Prebble and director Cy Endfield are careful about moralizing—the British officers are focused on one issue—how to survive. There’s little talk about the ethics of the British war in Zululand (other than Hook’s asking of “why are we here?” The answer is as straightforward as the question.)
Politics aside, Zulu delivers on the action front most of all. The battle sequences are well designed and edited in classic Soviet montage style (meaning that the editing produces and enhances the action). The plot is also thoroughly straightforward and well-designed, with no sidelines into romance (though there is a rather crudely sexist scene involving the missionary’s daughter) or needless comedic relief. It is the kind of action movie Hollywood can’t or won’t make any longer.In terms of its value as a guy movie, apart from all of its action elements, Zulu delivers the kind of message that resonates with guy movie watchers. When faced with daunting odds all you can do is buckle down and do what’s necessary—there’s no time for politics, quibbling, cajoling. It’s a time to get the job done.
Though I would recommend that you rent the movie before purchasing it, I have to say that it is a movie that holds up over numerous viewings—even after you know how it ends. I’ve probably watched Zulu about 50 times over the last 30 years and it still hits me the same way every time—I get a lump in my throat at the same moments and I feel the same thrill when I hear John Barry’s horn-heavy score boom out of the television speakers. For me, my DVD collection would not be complete without Zulu.But use care when buying the DVD. The film’s rights expired a few years ago, so there are several versions of the film floating around. I’d recommend buying the MGM-produced one. It’s in letterbox format and has good color saturation, albeit few bells and whistles in terms of special features.
Four out of four stars.
Comments
Great, great movie! On the trivia front, I read an article that stated that the scenes of the tribesmen beating on their shields in this film partially inspired Brian May of Queen to write "We Will Rock You". I'm enjoying reading your blog!
Posted by: Tim | July 25, 2007 08:33 PM
I was watching the Russell Crow movie Gladiator and noticed that in the beginning when they were fighting the Germanic Horde the same beating sound can be heard from Zulu. Or at least it sounds very similar, but not as effective.
Posted by: Matt W | July 26, 2007 03:22 PM