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

To provide housing and accommodation for the thousands of personnel working on this picture, the production spent over $1 million on constructing a pre-fabricated hut village. The mini city even included its own post office and bank. The housing settlement was located next to an unused farm in barren wilderness scrub about ten miles from Kwa Zulu, South Africa where the picture was shooting.

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Goofs

In several shots (most notable when the Zulus first come into view of the camp) it's obvious that many of the Zulu warriors are carrying fake shields: Instead of cowhide, the shields are obviously just painted on some sort of a plate, probably plywood.

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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

Follows Zulu (1964)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

One amazing film!

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.