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Zulu Dawn

  • 19791979
  • PGPG
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
7.2K
YOUR RATING
Zulu Dawn (1979)
A dramatization of the Battle of Isandlwana, where the British Army met its match against the Zulu nation.
Play trailer2:59
1 Video
31 Photos
AdventureDramaHistory
A dramatization of the Battle of Isandlwana, where the British Army met its match against the Zulu nation.A dramatization of the Battle of Isandlwana, where the British Army met its match against the Zulu nation.A dramatization of the Battle of Isandlwana, where the British Army met its match against the Zulu nation.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
7.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Douglas Hickox
  • Writers
    • Cy Endfield(original story and scenario)
    • Anthony Story(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Burt Lancaster
    • Simon Ward
    • Denholm Elliott
  • Director
    • Douglas Hickox
  • Writers
    • Cy Endfield(original story and scenario)
    • Anthony Story(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Burt Lancaster
    • Simon Ward
    • Denholm Elliott
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 80User reviews
    • 28Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:59
    Watch Trailer

    Photos31

    Zulu Dawn (1979)
    Zulu Dawn (1979)
    Zulu Dawn (1979)
    Zulu Dawn (1979)
    Burt Lancaster, Peter O'Toole, and Bob Hoskins in Zulu Dawn (1979)
    Gilbert Tjabane in Zulu Dawn (1979)
    Simon Sabela in Zulu Dawn (1979)
    Bob Hoskins in Zulu Dawn (1979)
    Anna Calder-Marshall in Zulu Dawn (1979)
    Peter O'Toole, Denholm Elliott, Michael Jayston, and Simon Ward in Zulu Dawn (1979)
    Burt Lancaster and Simon Ward in Zulu Dawn (1979)
    Zulu Dawn (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Burt Lancaster
    Burt Lancaster
    • Col. Durnford
    Simon Ward
    Simon Ward
    • Lt. Vereker
    Denholm Elliott
    Denholm Elliott
    • Col. Pulleine
    Peter Vaughan
    Peter Vaughan
    • Q.S.M. Bloomfield
    James Faulkner
    James Faulkner
    • Lt. Melvill
    Christopher Cazenove
    Christopher Cazenove
    • Lt. Coghill
    Bob Hoskins
    Bob Hoskins
    • C.S.M. Williams
    David Bradley
    David Bradley
    • Pte. Williams
    • (as Dai Bradley)
    Paul Copley
    Paul Copley
    • Cpl. Storey
    Donald Pickering
    Donald Pickering
    • Maj. Russell R.A.
    Nicholas Clay
    Nicholas Clay
    • Lt. Raw
    Phil Daniels
    Phil Daniels
    • Boy Pullen
    Ian Yule
    Ian Yule
    • Cpl. Fields
    Peter J. Elliott
    • Sentry
    Brian O'Shaughnessy
    • Maj. Smith R.A.
    • (as Brian O'Shaunnessy)
    Jan Bruyns
    • Elder Boer
    Sydney Chama
    • S.M. Kambula
    Len Sparrowhawk
    • Trooper James
    • Director
      • Douglas Hickox
    • Writers
      • Cy Endfield(original story and scenario) (screenplay)
      • Anthony Story(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sir William Stanley Baker, who co-produced and played Lieutenant John Chard in Zulu (1964), had always wanted to make a movie about the Battle of Isandhlwana. Unfortunately, he died two years before this movie was made. He had intended to play Colonel Durnford (Burt Lancaster).
    • Goofs
      The 17th Lancers accompanying Lord Chelmsford and his HQ very prominently during the movie were actually sent to South Africa only after the disaster the movie depicts, together with the 1st Dragoons. At the early stage of the war the movie shows there were only some local and native mounted units at hand, and some British infantry that were mounted for the particular campaign. In addition, 17th Lancers had white trouser stripes and a white plastron (breast). As seen in the film, the red plastrons with gold stripes would be the 5th, 9th or 12th lancers. (who weren't there at all!)
    • Quotes

      General Lord Chelmsford: After lunch, Brown, I want you to return to Isandhlwana and instruct Col. Pulleine to join us here immediately.

      Col. Hamilton-Brown: If you'll excuse me, My Lord.

      General Lord Chelmsford: No appetite, Colonel?

      Col. Hamilton-Brown: My men haven't eaten since yesterday and there won't be any supplies until I get them back to Isandhlwana.

      General Lord Chelmsford: Then they can start off now and you can join them when you've eaten.

      Col. Hamilton-Brown: Kind of you, My Lord, but I don't think it would be proper for me to sit at your table, they with their bellies stuck to their backbones.

      [Exits]

      Lt. Harford: [rising to follow Hamilton-Brown] Excuse me, Sir.

      General Lord Chelmsford: [to Lt. Harford] Learn nothing from that Irishman, Harford, except how not to behave.

    • Crazy credits
      Opening credits prologue: One hundred years ago the British Colony of Natal in Southern Africa was surrounded by a vast and independent Zulu Kingdom.

      In 1879, a battle took place that was forever to alter the course of Colonial history: ISANDHLWANA
    • Connections
      Featured in The Zulu Wars 1879 (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      Men of Harlech
      (uncredited)
      Traditional
      Heard when the troops depart for Zululand

    User reviews80

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Very under-rated
    As a long-time fan of the original "Zulu" I'm always surprised this film hasn't got the same reputation. True the story isn't as 'tight' as the Sixties classic (more scene-setting, more characters to deal with) but the production values are excellent, the photography beautiful and the climactic battle scenes brilliantly staged.
    helpful•26
    5
    • vaughan.birbeck
    • Jul 12, 2000

    FAQ1

    • At the climax of the film Simon Wards character Lt. William Vereker had his horse shot from under him and becomes trapped, when he sees the flag being taken by the Zulus he aims then shoots the flag from the Zulu , Did this shot take place at the real battle ?, and did Lt. William Vereker survive ?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 14, 1979 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Netherlands
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Zulu
    • Also known as
      • Die letzte Offensive
    • Filming locations
      • Isandlwana, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    • Production companies
      • Zulu Dawn NV
      • Lamitas
      • Samarkand
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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