Zulu Dawn (1979)

A dramatization of the Battle of Isandlwana, where the British Army met its match against the Zulu nation.

Director:

Douglas Hickox

Writers:

Cy Endfield (original story and scenario), Cy Endfield (screenplay),

Stars:

Burt Lancaster, Simon Ward, Denholm Elliott

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Burt Lancaster	...	Col. Durnford
Simon Ward	...	Lt. Vereker
Denholm Elliott	...	Colonel Pulleine
Peter Vaughan	...	Q.S.M. Bloomfield
James Faulkner	...	Lt. Melvill
Christopher Cazenove	...	Lt. Coghill
Bob Hoskins	...	C.S.M. Williams
David Bradley	...	Pte. Williams (as Dai Bradley)
Paul Copley	...	Cpl. Storey
Donald Pickering	...	Maj. Russell R.A.
Nicholas Clay	...	Lt. Raw
Phil Daniels	...	Boy Pullen
Ian Yule	...	Cpl. Fields
Peter J. Elliott	...	Sentry
Brian O'Shaughnessy	...	Maj. Smith R.A. (as Brian O'Shaunnessy)

Storyline

In 1879 South Africa, the administrators of the British Cape Colony have designs to eliminate the Zulus as a hindrance to their colonial economy. To that end, the British present King Cetshwayo with an impossible ultimatum to provoke a war they are sure they can win easily with their rifles and artillery against native spears. However, that war proves more difficult than the arrogant British commander, Lord Chelmsford, expects as his overburdened army fruitlessly searches for the elusive enemy. However, in the shadow of a hill called Isandlwana, the overconfident British army learns to its sorrow just how badly they have underestimated the tactical skill and might of the Zulu nation.

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Plot Keywords:

zulu | british army | africa | rifle | battle | 

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Taglines:

The battle that shook the empire!

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA South Africa Netherlands

Language:

English Zulu

Release Date:

15 May 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alvorada Sangrenta

Filming Locations:

Isandlwana, Natal, South Africa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zulu Dawn NV, Lamitas, Samarkand

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby (as Dolby System Noise Reduction-High Fidelity)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This picture utilized eleven thousand Zulus as extras and background artists.

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Goofs

As Colonel Pulleine writes his last letter in his tent, he is holding the pen in his left hand. The shot switches to a view over his shoulder, and the pen is now in his right hand. Then as a Zulu bursts into the tent, Pulleine drops the pen from his left hand again to grab a revolver.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Sir Henry Bartle Frere: [proofreading aloud the ultimatum he has just drafted] Cetshwayo's Zulu army to disband and the warriors permitted to return to their homes.

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Connections

Featured in The Zulu Wars 1879 (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Men of Harlech"
Traditional
Heard when the troops depart for Zululand

User Reviews

Old-fashioned, but good

I like "Zulu Dawn," but maybe for strange reasons. I'm glad that it favors plot over characterization, and I appreciate its attention to detail and tactics. Too many modern war movies ignore tactics, and don't place battles in their proper contexts. Here, it's easy to follow exactly what's happening, and why.

What makes the film especially memorable is that it's the story of a military disaster - the biggest defeat of a "modern" army at the hands of a "primitive" one (though I believe the Zulus suffered higher casualties than the British did). The script pretty much telegraphs the battle's result from the beginning; Peter O'Toole, as the British commander, is clearly too stubborn and blind to danger, so the attentive viewer should realize fast that he's heading for a fall.

The ending is somewhat misleading, though. The final caption might suggest to some viewers that the Zulus won the whole war. Sadly, they were beaten pretty rapidly and suffered some hideous defeats. I guess that's what makes this initial Zulu victory so noteworthy - almost unbelievable, really.

As is often the case in war movies, "Zulu Dawn" features big-name actors playing real soldiers. This makes it easier to tell the somewhat thin characters apart. Though nobody gives a career-best performance, it's great to see O'Toole, Burt Lancaster, Bob Hoskins and a solid cast of British character actors together in one movie.

I don't suppose they'd ever make this today. The politics are too awkward; I don't think a modern audience would have much sympathy for the British or the Zulu. And, of course, contemporary movies have rejected old-time spectacle, electing to replace sweeping landscapes and huge crowds of extras with fake-looking CGI.

But, in this case, old-fashioned is good. "Zulu Dawn" is definitely worth checking out in budget DVD form.