Zulu Dawn (1979) 6.5
A dramatization of the Battle of Isandlwana, where the British Army met its match against the Zulu nation. Director:Douglas Hickox |
|
| 0Share... |
Zulu Dawn (1979) 6.5
A dramatization of the Battle of Isandlwana, where the British Army met its match against the Zulu nation. Director:Douglas Hickox |
|
| 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Burt Lancaster | ... |
Col. Durnford
|
|
| Simon Ward | ... |
Lt. Vereker
|
|
| Denholm Elliott | ... | ||
| Peter Vaughan | ... | ||
| James Faulkner | ... | ||
| Christopher Cazenove | ... |
Lt. Coghill
|
|
| Bob Hoskins | ... | ||
| David Bradley | ... |
Pte. Williams
(as Dai Bradley)
|
|
| Paul Copley | ... |
Cpl. Storey
|
|
|
|
Donald Pickering | ... | |
|
|
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)
|
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. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)
This film must be the most under-rated film of its time. It is a very accurate depiction of the battle of Isandhlwana and the massacre of the British Soldiers. The casting was brilliant, Burt Lancaster and Simon Ward were outstanding in the lead roles. The film following the lives of very different people through a very short timespan was very well done baring in mind the amount of people the film focused on, from a native south african messenger, to an arrogant British General. The film was fair to both armies that fought on that day and deserves to be recognised as a movie epic.