Top-Rated Episodes
S1.E10
Shaka helps Farewell and a Zulu delegation to get to Cape Town, where Lord Somerset imprisons them; Nandi's death sends Shaka into a frenzy of destruction.
S1.E8
Fynn traces the history of Shaka and the Ndwandwe king Zwide after Shaka orders the Britons to help fight Zwide, who was responsible for the death of Dingiswayo.
S1.E6
Shaka goes deep into the Nkandla forest and has a blacksmith forge a stabbing spear, which he has empowered by "The Nameless One" and given magical powers. However, it is predicted that the weapon ...
Get the best new trailers in under a minute, including The Secret Life of Pets 2 and "Friends from College."
Related News
-
‘The Conqueror’ is a romanticized Shakespearean effort presented by John Wayne
03 March 2013 | SoundOnSight -
DVD Playhouse--Dec. 2012/Jan. 2013
08 January 2013 | The Hollywood Interview -
Shaka Zulu Restaurant Review – A Carnivore’s Dream
25 September 2012 | Obsessed with Film
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: Shaka Zulu (1986)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Learn more
More Like This
Shaka Zulu: The Citadel
(TV Movie 2001)
Drama
Director:
Joshua Sinclair
Stars:
David Hasselhoff,
Karen Allen,
Henry Cele
Shogun
(1980)
Adventure
|
Drama
|
History
Stars:
Richard Chamberlain,
Toshirô Mifune,
Yôko Shimada
Edit
Cast
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
Framed around Queen Victoria's decision on England's political stance towards the Zulu Nation, this mini-series details King Shaka's rise and fall with mythic detail. Prophecy is mixed with recorded fact regarding Shaka's birth, exile, innovations in warfare, assumption of the throne, building of the Zulu Empire, first contact with Europe and the events that lead to his downfall. Written by Renee Ann Byrd <byrdie@wyrdbyrd.org>
Taglines:
The Most Savage Warrior of All Time!Certificate:
See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Release Date:
24 November 1986 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Shaka Zulú See more »Filming Locations:
South AfricaEdit
Box Office
Budget:
$24,000,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Production Co:
Harmony Gold, South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Tele München Fernseh Produktionsgesellschaft (TMG) See more »
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (original)Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
Edit
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
This has been the most repeatedly screened mini-series ever shown on television in the U.S. By 1992, over three hundred fifty 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. See more »Quotes
Dr. Henry Fynn: [to Shaka] A man with Christ in his heart is stronger than all the regiments on earth.See more »
Alternate Versions
Also released on video in an edited, 'feature length' version. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
Watch Hollywood hits and TV favorites for free with IMDb Freedive. Start streaming on IMDb and Fire TV devices today!
"Shaka Zulu" the ten part mini-series is an interesting mix of good film-making and bad film-making. Certain scenes are beautifully done and perfectly paced while others seem to be the work of a bored and untalented film student.
The late William C. Faure's talent as a director really starts to shine when the story is told from the Zulu point of view. For instance, the love scene between Nandi and Senzagakona at the river is beautifully played and executed. The scenes with the young Shaka are generally over played and poorly directed. All the scenes with the British are of a poor standard especially the pontificating and condescending opening scene with the Zulu King and Queen Victoria. The best British scenes are the ones involving Christopher Lee.
The acting is generally of a very high standard. Edward Fox is as good as always. He plays his part with dash and honesty rarely seen nowadays. Robert Powell is his usual studied and self-conscious self. The beautiful Dudu Kkhize portrays Nandi and for the most part she is very good.
The most remarkable performance has to be that of Henry Cele as Shaka. It is hard, if not impossible, to imagine anyone else in the part of Shaka. He is simply perfect in every aspect and is a surprisingly good actor. It is possible to empathize with Shaka, even understand him and this is because of the towering performance given by Henry Cele. He lets you inside the mind of this despot and translates his pain, confusion and arrogance. This has to be one of the best pieces of casting in cinema history. Conrad Magwaza gives a great performance as Shaka's father, Senzagakona. He plays the part with confidence, comedy and charm.
The production design and costumes for the Zulu sequences are first class. Also a remarkable amount of historically accurate material finds itself within the script and this has to be commended. The death of Shaka is open to interpretation but it is generally believed that a relative poisoned him.
The contrasting styles of film-making that abound in this production are a shame. An inept scene usually follows an excellent one and visa versa. I am sure this was partly due to the tight scheduling and production constraints.
The musical score is dated and histrionic. A low quality keyboard orchestra pervades scenes that need no accompaniment and destroys certain well-crafted moments. The songs are pretty cheesy as well. With the wealth of extraordinary Zulu music that exists, it is a shame that the score could not have utilized its rhythms and instruments to a more satisfying degree.
Having so little African history on film, this mini series has to be classed as a classic. The whole experience is rewarding, exciting and surprisingly refreshing.