Did You Know?

This was Michael Caine's first major film role. He watched the rushes, but was so nervous that he was sick, and never watched rushes again.

Stanley Baker had no difficulty raising finance because producer Joseph E. Levine said he would back any project Baker wanted to do. Baker said there was a project he was planning. Levine asked what it was called and Baker replied, "Zulu". Levine said, "Zulu! I like that title. I will back you". Baker told this in a radio interview in England, and this account is confirmed by his widow in one of the "extras" on the Paramount DVD of the film.

The opening and closing narration is read by Richard Burton.

Jack Hawkins was upset at the way his character (Rev. Witt) was shown on film, and refused to attend the opening.

According to a recent book Stanley Baker intended the role of Private Hitch to be played by "the actor from That Was the Week That Was whose surname begins with a K". He was alluding to Roy Kinnear without realizing that the series also starred David Kernan. When Kernan turned up on the set Baker realized his mistake but hired him anyway.

Because of the strict apartheid laws enforced in South Africa at the time, the Zulu extras could not be paid equivalent rates to their white counterparts. To get around this, director Cy Endfield gifted all of the animals bought for this film (particularly cows) to the tribes - a gift far more valuable to them than the money that had been denied them.

Michael Caine originally auditioned for the part of Private Henry Hook, but was beaten to it by James Booth.

During the first combat scenes, the powder charge is significant. In the later battle scenes, the rifles buck less because the powder charge is less. This was because at close range, even blanks were still dangerous.

Stanley Baker owned John Chard's Victoria Cross (and other medals) from 1972 until his death in 1976. Originally thought to be what is known as a "cast copy", the Victoria Cross was later proven, after a series of tests, to be the original. Unfortunately, Baker died never knowing he had the real VC.

The then Minister of Native Affairs banned the film for screenings to black South Africans as "it might incite them to rise up in revolt".

In real life, Pvt. Henry Hook (played by James Booth) was nothing like the hard-drinking, insubordinate, malingering malcontent portrayed in this film. In fact, Hook was never a discipline problem and was known among his fellow soldiers as somewhat of a prude.

In real life, Lt. Bromhead, played by Michael Caine as an arrogant "upper class twit", was extremely deaf. It was much more for this reason - rather than the few months' precedence in gaining his commission which Chard (Stanley Baker) claims in the movie - that Bromhead agreed to relinquish command. Chard's precedence, historically, was closer to three years than to the much more dramatic matter of months.

Colour Sergeant Bourne, shown as a much older man in the film, was actually only 24 years old during the defense of Rorke's Drift and was the last defender of the post to die - as an honorary Lieutenant Colonel on VE Day, 8th May 1945, at the age of 91.

Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, from a long line of Zulu warriors and royalty, played the part of his ancestor, King Cetywayo in the film. "I played my great grandfather. The director had actually identified a radio announcer (to play the part) but when he saw me he said that he saw a family resemblance and persuaded me to take part as an extra".

During the shooting of the movie Paramount sent a telegram to producers in Africa to immediately fire Michael Caine because they had seen the rushes and decided that he was giving a terrible performance. Caine read that telegram before the producers, because the secretary gave him to read it. Afterwards he was very nervous waiting to be fired and he couldn't mention this to the producers because he would get that secretary into trouble. After a few days he mentioned it to one of the producers, making up a story of how he read the telegram. The producer told him he wasn't fired - and warned him to keep away from his mail.

A new set of lyrics for the Welsh Anthem "Men of Marlech" was written just for this film. People still mistake this version of MOH for the "Original". The "Zulu Film Lyrics" are: Men of Harlech, stop your dreaming: Can't you see the spearpoints gleaming See the warrior pennants streaming O'er the battle field Men of Harlech, stand ye steady It can not be ever said ye For the battle were not ready -- Welshmen never yield! From the hills rebounding Let this war cry sounding Summon all at Cambria's call The mighty foe surrounding -- Men of Harlech, on to glory This will ever be your story: Keep these burning words before ye -- Welshmen will not yield!

Richard Burton's narration was recorded at a sound studio in Paris on the 21st September 1963.