A historical account on the life of the Zulu King Shaka.
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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.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 ...
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.
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Title: Shaka Zulu (1986)
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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:
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Details
Release Date:
24 November 1986 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Shaka Zulu 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 »
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (original)Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
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["Swallows" is the Zulus' term for the British... since they, like their bird-namesakes, first came to Africa from across the sea]
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By Patric van Blerk, Julian Laxton, Margaret Singana and David Pollecutt (as Dave Pollecutt)
Sung by Margaret Singana and the Baragwanath Choir
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Based on Joshua Sinclairs novel "Shaka Zulu", which was based on Zulu oral tradition. See more »Quotes
Shaka: [last words, as he is slain by his own bodyguards] ... THE SWALLOWS HAVE WON!["Swallows" is the Zulus' term for the British... since they, like their bird-namesakes, first came to Africa from across the sea]
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Alternate Versions
Also released on video in an edited, 'feature length' version. See more »Soundtracks
We Are GrowingBy Patric van Blerk, Julian Laxton, Margaret Singana and David Pollecutt (as Dave Pollecutt)
Sung by Margaret Singana and the Baragwanath Choir
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Although not a despot known to many, Shaka Zulu controlled an empire at the height of his power comparable to that of Napolean and was as brutal as Vlad the Impaler; this miniseries very successfully shows his rise to power, relationship with British envoys, and eventual fall.
As the mini-series opens, a solemn South African representative listens to the British elite, including Queen Victoria, belittle his people and then begs them to let his people keep their sovereignty. The series then flashbacks to the British embassy going to meet Shaka, running into trouble, and eventually earning his trust after an assassination attempt. The series then flashbacks to his rise to power from a young boy to the most powerful man on the continent of Africa. The flashbacks never get confusing, the story is always well told. The cinematography is brilliant, the acting (especially by Henry Cele in the title role) is very competent, and the characters are very compelling.
The series has a little something for everyone, although I think it would appeal more to history buffs like myself. In addition, there is substantial amounts of nudity, as most of the African women go around topless. While the nudity didn't detract from the narrative or become gratutitious, it is something to think about before letting younger viewers watch.
All in all i heartily recommend this mini-series, whether for a really, really rainy day or an hour at at time after work.