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IMDbPro

Shaka Zulu

  • TV Mini Series
  • 19861986
  • 5h
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
Henry Cele in Shaka Zulu (1986)
Shaka Zulu
Play trailer1:19
11 Videos
17 Photos
  • Action
  • Biography
  • Drama
A historical account on the life of the Zulu King Shaka.A historical account on the life of the Zulu King Shaka.A historical account on the life of the Zulu King Shaka.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Stars
    • Edward Fox
    • Robert Powell
    • Trevor Howard
Top credits
  • Stars
    • Edward Fox
    • Robert Powell
    • Trevor Howard
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 21User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Episodes10

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1 Season
    1986

    Videos11

    Shaka Zulu
    Trailer 1:19
    Shaka Zulu
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 10
    Trailer 2:03
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 10
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 1
    Trailer 1:46
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 1
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 4
    Trailer 1:29
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 4
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 9
    Trailer 1:59
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 9
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 3
    Trailer 1:35
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 3
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 8
    Trailer 1:21
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 8
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 6
    Trailer 1:18
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 6
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 2
    Trailer 1:51
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 2
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 7
    Trailer 1:22
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 7
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 5
    Trailer 1:24
    Shaka Zulu: Episode 5

    Photos17

    Edward Fox in Shaka Zulu (1986)
    Robert Powell in Shaka Zulu (1986)
    Shaka Zulu (1986)
    Henry Cele in Shaka Zulu (1986)
    Shaka Zulu (1986)
    Henry Cele in Shaka Zulu (1986)
    Henry Cele in Shaka Zulu (1986)
    Shaka Zulu (1986)
    Henry Cele in Shaka Zulu (1986)
    Shaka Zulu (1986)
    Henry Cele in Shaka Zulu (1986)
    Henry Cele in Shaka Zulu (1986)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Edward Fox
    Edward Fox
    • Lt. Francis Farewellas Lt. Francis Farewell
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Robert Powell
    Robert Powell
    • Dr. Henry Fynnas Dr. Henry Fynn
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Trevor Howard
    Trevor Howard
    • Lord Charles Somersetas Lord Charles Somerset
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Fiona Fullerton
    Fiona Fullerton
    • Elizabeth Farewellas Elizabeth Farewell
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Christopher Lee
    Christopher Lee
    • Lord Bathurstas Lord Bathurst
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Henry Cele
    Henry Cele
    • Shakaas Shaka
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Dudu Mkhize
    • Nandias Nandi
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Roy Dotrice
    Roy Dotrice
    • George IVas George IV
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Gordon Jackson
    Gordon Jackson
    • Prof. Bramstonas Prof. Bramston
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Kenneth Griffith
    Kenneth Griffith
    • Zacharias Abrahamsas Zacharias Abrahams
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Conrad Magwaza
    • Senzagakonaas Senzagakona
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Patrick Ndlovu
    • Mudlias Mudli
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Roland Mqwebu
    • Ngomaneas Ngomane
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Gugu Nxumalo
    • Mkabayias Mkabayi
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Tu Nokwe
    • Pampataas Pampata
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Vuyisile Bojana
    • Mgobozias Mgobozi
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Bingo Mbonjeni
    • Bhuzaas Bhuza
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    Simon Sabela
    Simon Sabela
    • Dingiswayoas Dingiswayo
    10 episodes10 eps • 1986
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

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    8.1
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    8.0
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This has been the most frequently broadcast TV mini-series in the U.S. By 1992, over 350 million viewers had seen it. This mini-series dislodged The Hunters (1957) and The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980) and its sequels as the prime shaper of American perceptions of "tribal" history in southern Africa. The series even achieved cult status. The U.K. actors and actresses who worked on the project were nearly blacklisted by the U.N.
    • Quotes

      Shaka: Never leave an enemy behind or it will rise again to fly at your throat.

    • Alternate versions
      Also released on video in an edited, 'feature length' version.
    • Connections
      Followed by Shaka Zulu: The Citadel (2001)
    • Soundtracks
      We Are Growing
      By Patric van Blerk, Julian Laxton, Margaret Singana and David Pollecutt (as Dave Pollecutt)

      Sung by Margaret Singana and the Baragwanath Choir

    User reviews21

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    A class act
    Although I remember seeing some of the original mini-series in the 80s I had never watched the whole story. My interest was re-awakened when I bought the Shaka Zulu box set in the January sales. Having watched the whole series through I realised that this was a great story, very well told and well acted (especially by the African leads - some of the British cast seem hammy in comparison although Edward Fox to his credit is less hammy than normal).

    There are good production values and great scenery (the series used many of the original locations from Shaka's life) and hundreds of "real" extras. All in all a refreshing change from the vacuous CGI laden "epics" which flood the cinema now. I think the fact this was a mini-series has led to this production being seriously undervalued. It is a lot better than many films which get given Oscars.
    helpful•13
    0
    • chrisn-6
    • Jan 13, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 24, 1986 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Italy
      • South Africa
      • West Germany
      • Australia
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Zulu
    • Also known as
      • Shaka Zulú
    • Filming locations
      • South Africa
    • Production companies
      • Harmony Gold
      • South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
      • Tele München Fernseh Produktionsgesellschaft (TMG)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      5 hours
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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