Zulu (DVD 2002)

Just had to say something about this superb film.
Buy the special edition as has quite a bit of extra info on it.
A 120 or so British troops,mainly engineers, at a mission station in early 1879 under the command of a couple of lowly Lieutenants played by Michael Caine [his first role] and Stanley Baker are confronted with the Zulu impi fresh from the slaughter of 1500 British at Islandwana.
Jack Hawkins is fabulous as the missionary de Witt[one of his best performances] and his daughter was played by Ulla Jacobson who is excellent as is the entire cast throughout the film.
The music by John Barry is sweeping,moving and quite simply on another level even though this was made in 1963/64-he is the undisputed master of the epic film theme.The Zulu chants are going to haunt the viewer for ever as they show us the emotion and committment of these formidable warriors who under Cetewayo reigned supreme. It is a little known fact that before many battles these Zulu took forms of drugs to enhance their strength and courage.
Nigel Green plays one of the Sergeants keeping the men in order under the African sun and during the repeated Zulu onslaughts. The Zulu charges are awesome and the viewer can only wonder how the British held. A fact is that the Henry Martini rifles became so hot with repeated fire that the barrels started to glow !!!!!
Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded but cynics argue that this was more a political decision but even so it was a courageous and heroic stand against a massively superior force. Many of the survivors suffered horrendous mental anguish and breakdowns when they returned and you can see why. A young soldier says to the Sergeant "Why us?" who replies "Because we're here lad,because we're here" and this gives a small insight into their situation.
It is an interesting battle and conflict to read about and I would recommend anyone to get some of this under their belt before watching the film as it will be even more interesting and enjoyable.
In conclusion this is beautifully filmed,great acting, action of epic proportions and is truly one of the greatest films ever made--AIM, FIRE,RELOAD!!!!!ENJOY
p.s. Watch Zulu Dawn first-that is about the disaster by Chelmsford at Islandwana.