American Reacts "Zulu" 1964 Movie - Final Battle Including "Men of Harlech" Song.

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Жыл бұрын

Original Video: • "Zulu" 1964 Movie - F...
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@stewartmackay Жыл бұрын

My cousin lived in South Africa during the apartheid era. She was a doctor, and she has 2 Zulu women working for her in the house, as helpers for the 4 children. She paid them full wages, even when some of her supposed "white friends" were insisting "you dont have to pay the natives so much". My cousin said "If they are working for me, I'm going to pay them what I would expect to be paid myself". Anyway, her little boy accidentally fell into and drowned in a mudpool, and at his funeral, about 500 Zulus showed up and sang for her as a mark of respect for her and for her little boy. She said it was the most touching moment of her life.

@Billyg215 Жыл бұрын

This shows you to show people respect regardless of their creed, colour or religion but by the type of person that they are.

@ryanbotha9775 Жыл бұрын

Your cousin told you all this did she?? Nothing like a white person denying their part during apartheid 🤮

@Kaiserbill99 Жыл бұрын

I used to have a boss who had been an engineer who made regular trips to South Africa to install or service machinery. On one trip a colleague made the trip for the first time and was warned by the South African employees of the company to only tip the hotel staff a certain amount. He ignored them and gave the black bartender a tip which was, shall we say, "excessive". The colleague then spent the rest of the week being drowned by free peanuts when he sat at the bar and being followed around by the bartender. The South African engineers used to joke that they would fix an unconnected tap to wooden beams and laugh at the black workers' inability to understand why water would not come out when they turned the tap. Nurture or nature?

@robertlees7528 Жыл бұрын

Do not learn history from a movie! Men of harlech refers to war of the Roses conflict more English soldiers present than Welsh henry hook was a model soldier and abstained from alcohol his relatives walked out of the cinema in disgust!!

@Kaiserbill99 Жыл бұрын

@@robertlees7528 I don't see anyone in this thread particularly discussing history. There were more English than Welsh because it was the Warwickshire regiment present at Rorke's Drift not a Welsh regiment. Stanley Baker, who played Chard and produced the film, was a Welshman so that probably explains the historical inaccuracy. The Warwickshires later merged with a Welsh regiment but that was long after this conflict.

@MrJones131 Жыл бұрын

As a Welshman and a former soldier, I still draw massive pride from those men who are true warriors and wonderful Welshmen no, matter what others say.

@dulls8475 Жыл бұрын

Mostly English regiment.

@timelaps8764 Жыл бұрын

It was welsh English Irish boars that fought there oh yea ti the company was part of the 21st foot that died in itswandsla

@danielwhyatt3278 Жыл бұрын

I know what you mean. I’m currently living up in Brecon so I’m right next door actually to the area where the Welsh regiment who fought here were based. I didn’t even realise this until my parents told me this is their regimental home. There is a commemoration here in the Brecon Cathedral. Absolutely amazing.

@dulls8475 Жыл бұрын

@@danielwhyatt3278 It was an English regiment by the way. Warwickshire Regiment. Hollywood did the rest.

@glosfishgb6267 Жыл бұрын

@@dulls8475 Brecon became the depot for the 24th after the battle they then became a welsh foot regiment but at the battle there were 15 welsh soldiers in the action all sed and did it was a great stand by the British Army

@Craigstew100 Жыл бұрын

The interesting thing is, that the Zulu King Cetshwayo had ordered that his army must not cross the Buffalo River, meaning that the mission at Rouke’s Drift should not be threatened. However, following their victory at Isandlwana, the reserve of the Zulu ‘impi’ made up of 3,000 older warriors (40+ year olds) and under the command of Prince Dabulamanzi kaMapande wanted to share in the victory, so they marched towards Rorke’s Drift, keen to destroy the small British garrison stationed there, which was literally just beyond the border of the Kingdom of Zululand. The rest is history, but it was a battle that never should have happened.

@CountScarlioni Жыл бұрын

The entire campaign should never have happened. Disraeli's government policy was to leave the Zulus alone and King Cetshwayo who was on friendly terms with the British was keen to settle border disputes diplomatically. What happened was that the South African High Commissioner Henry Bartle Frere, who already had a reputation for being a loose cannon ignored his orders from Whitehall to keep the peace. He and Lord Chelmsford orchestrated an excuse to mount an invasion of Zululand. After the debacle of Isandlwana both had their jobs taken off them and were hauled back to London. But I guess conflict was inevitable sooner or later. Certainly after the scramble for Africa in the 1880s.

@Craigstew100 Жыл бұрын

@@CountScarlioni I agree totally, I just wanted to highlight the fact that the Rourke's Drift Mission was never an intended target of King Cetshwayo and therefore the attack on Rourke's Drift was superfluous to the Zulu King's intentions.

@GodlessScummer Жыл бұрын

@@Craigstew100 indeed you are correct in the fact that from the Zulu king Cetshwayo's point of view this battle wasn't supposed to happen. In terms of being a significant battle Rorke's Drift was actually a minor skirmish that had little outcome on the course of the war. The more significant battle was Isandlwana in that respect. However the defence of Rorke's Drift was a huge PR victory for the British government and it was very deliberately built up in London by Disraeli to help exorcise the shame of the Isandlwana defeat.

@Billyg215 Жыл бұрын

Thank you i did not know that.

@josephphoenix1376 Жыл бұрын

Just like the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812🤔Peace Treaty was signed but neither side knew it...

@666johnco Жыл бұрын

Colour Sergeant Bourne: ""Because we're here lad and nobody else...Just us."

@tobytaylor2154 Жыл бұрын

Can you believe the bbc had him on tape in an interview and threw it away. 😡

@charleshirst6820 Жыл бұрын

Be quiet now there's a good gentleman... You're upsetting the lads.

@theoldgreymare703 Жыл бұрын

@@charleshirst6820 I love the roll call scene where after the battle the the Sgt. Major calls out names silence crossed off as dead name called and answered crossed off as alive .The scene where one surviver call him Jones, doesn't answer the first time, so the Sgt.Major repeats the name still no answer. In the end he says "Jones you're alive" Jones answers "' I am oh thank you Sgt Major as he is dismissed.

@peteybabe1 Жыл бұрын

Colour Sergeant Bourne was only 5ft 3in 😁

@mixodorians12 Жыл бұрын

Such a shame Stanley Baker died so young. One intense terrific, brilliant welsh actor and a brilliant filmmaker, that couldn't do enough for the Zulu nation.

@britishpatriot7386 Жыл бұрын

Yes he was a British icon alright and well missed by movie fan's etc.

@kurtishaake4748 Жыл бұрын

@@britishpatriot7386 welsh icon not British.

@ethanniblock5341 Жыл бұрын

@@kurtishaake4748 Wales is in Britain?

@thehouseholder5468 Жыл бұрын

@@ethanniblock5341yep , it’s funny how we have English that are British the Welsh are Welsh the Scottish are Scottish and the northern Irish are British, as an English man I’d be happy to share a trench with a true patriotic northern Irish man ❤

@trigger399 5 ай бұрын

Well he didn't show the Zulus disembowelling the Welshman, Joseph Williams, in the hospital. He should have received a VC but posthumous awards were virtually unknown in those days. Also didn't show the four patients butchered in their sickbeds.

@WessexDragon Жыл бұрын

As a Brit I love the fact that there is an appreciation for this part of British history in the U.S

@raypurchase801 Жыл бұрын

This story resembles the Alamo, but different.

@onelineal9382 Жыл бұрын

@OutnBacker Жыл бұрын

There is a LOT of appreciation for all things British here in the US.

@devinhapanovich8428 Жыл бұрын

We are intertwined by are language mutual history and fervent belief in liberal FREEDOM.God bless England!

@kidfox3971 8 ай бұрын

@@raypurchase801As well as Bunker Hill

@buddyhek Жыл бұрын

Private Robert Jones VC is buried in our village churchyard in Herefordshire, he commited suicide age 41, having never got over the events depicted in this film.

@Jabber-ig3iw Жыл бұрын

I used to live near John Chard VC grave in Somerset, I paid my respects to him.

@ryanbotha9775 Жыл бұрын

I wish more Brits followed his example, maybe less of the vermin would have arrived unwanted in our country during the Boer war..

@AleisterCrowley. Жыл бұрын

Such a thing echoes down the ages to present day and into the future, no doubt.

@jacquelinefox2632 Жыл бұрын

Sweetheart. Not a single heart leaves..... Xxxxx J Xxxxxxxx. No war. J. Xxxxx

@clinteastwood8230 Жыл бұрын

Have they turned the grave stone round ? As it was faced away due to stigma on sucides

@1daveyp Жыл бұрын

"Chills every time". You said it Connor. I first saw Zulu at the age of 9 or 10. four decades later I must have seen it a dozen times or more, it still gives me chills. A note to the cynics who say the 11 VCs awarded were to try to draw attention away from Isandlwana. Well, the War Office actually called a halt to any more VCs for Rorke's Drift and General Sir Garnet Wolseley criticised the number of awards. The high number is mostly due to the unusual circumstances. A small but intense action fought in a very confined space with a large number of survivors who could nominate and corroborate the awards. Private Fred Hitch V.C. is buried not far from me in West London, at St Nicholas Churchyard, Chiswick. The grave is marked with a magnificent memorial, topped with a pith helmet.

@1daveyp Жыл бұрын

@John Ashtone Good point. Interestingly, Rorke's Drift isn't even the record for one action, it's the record for VCs awarded to members of *one unit* in one action. 24 VCs were awarded to the defenders of Lucknow in the Mutiny and 16 for the Battle of Inkerman in the Crimea.

@garethmorgan3665 Жыл бұрын

Great comment. Gotta xheck out that grave when I'm next in West London.

@1daveyp Жыл бұрын

@@garethmorgan3665 When you do make sure you stop off at the George & Devonshire, which is very close to the graveyard and well worth a visit. There's also a blue plaque on Hitch's old house in Cranbrook Road.

@edwardbevington9351 Жыл бұрын

The grave is on YT. ❤💪👍 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bcymfJNyv5a1cqc.html

@garethmorgan3665 Жыл бұрын

@@1daveyp nice :-) Cheers.

@DickusCopernicus Жыл бұрын

Before the invention of the Maxim machine gun, British Army volley fire was the most devastating form of fire. This was often delivered standing in ranks facing an oncoming enemy formation. The discipline was to stand regardless of losses, until the enemy retreated with heavier losses.

@davidhumphreys7035 Жыл бұрын

That's how Wellington defeated Napoleon and his narrow columns.

@lafeelabriel Жыл бұрын

There's at least one recorded instance from WW1 where Germans attacking some British troops armed *only* with SMLE rifles, got shot at so much that they thought the British must have been armed with machine guns.

@Sam-ch9mn Жыл бұрын

I watched this film on its release when I was 11 years old. I'm 68 now and I have watched it perhaps 30 or 40 times. It is one of the most inspiring films, and stories, of military conflict. Importantly, there is no attempt to glorify either the conflict itself or any one side in it. Stanley Baker must be given credit for this as well as for his acting prowess. And budding actor Michael Caine is magnificent, arguably his best part ever, confecting a wonderful toff's accent when he was actually an ordinary lad from the rough streets of London. The film portrays raw courage, leadership and the excellent military discipline (and lack of yee-haa bravado) that made the British Army and the Zulus so feared. The Zulu nation is properly recognised for its traditions and skill. Neither side was blameless in this bloody campaign but the film rightly honours the participants. For decades this was my favourite film, succeeded some years ago by The Shawshank Redemption.

@ritamengucci1932 Жыл бұрын

Love this movie so much I bought the DVD. Also, Shawshank Redemption.

@raypurchase801 Жыл бұрын

Where's the bit where Mr. Caine says, "I only wanted you to blow the bloody doors off!"?

@hookstomper7322 Жыл бұрын

For my money, the greatest scene in movie history.

@cathryncampbell8555 Жыл бұрын

Another great war film is "Waterloo," starring Christopher Plummer as the Duke of Wellington and Rod Steiger as Napoleon. Filmed largely in Ukraine in 1970 , this epic has glorious cinematography showing the battle formations of the British as Napoleon's cavalry (led by Ney, I believe) charged around the unyielding British squares. Director Sergei Bondarchuk captured the battlefield layout using 15,000 Soviet soldiers conscripted for this film. Outstanding!

@stephenhickman304 Жыл бұрын

Yes another great epic film that is overlooked……a must see .

@alanferguson100 Жыл бұрын

I live in the UK and have watched this film over 10 times, never get tired of it.

@georgeduncan9443 Жыл бұрын

chills , im with you bro. been watching this for nearly 40 years. its a masterpiece. no "good guys" and "bad guys" , just people trying to survive.

@Stand663 Жыл бұрын

I remember watching a documentary about a descendant of the Zulu chieftain visiting Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿a few years ago to pay respects and view artefacts retrieved from that famous battle, all those years ago. It was quite interesting the local dignitaries and the Lord Mayor of the particular Welsh town bowed and curtsied to the Zulu royal entourage and addressed them as your Royal Highness and Highness’s Sirs and Ladies. There you have it. Monarchy is the same all over the world, whatever the culture. It’s all about respecting hierarchy, customs and manners.

@darrenbramhall6694 Жыл бұрын

Or maybe decency and respect! Which obviously is not regarded much these days!!

@gubernamdamesse5643 Жыл бұрын

I don't know if you know, but nowadays the South African republic comprises itself of state monarchies and subnational official monarchies. I mean it officially by law and by the constitution of South Africa. One of those monarchies is the Zulu Monarchy which nowadays have public money, palaces, guards, a civil list in influence makes in the politics of the state of Kwazulu-natal. The current king, not chief, of the Zulu in South Africa is his Majesty King Misuzulu Zulu.

@daveloboda1769 Жыл бұрын

I've seen Zulu innumerable times over the years, a brilliant film that I always enjoy.

@davidwilkinson8136 Жыл бұрын

This film has the greatest line ever in any war film. When asked by a fearful private, why us Sarge? The colour sergeant replies "Because we are here lad, nobody else"

@virtualatheist Жыл бұрын

I prefer: SSGT: Smith... Smith... Smith, answer me. I know you ain't dead.

@justiitis Жыл бұрын

He's a Peeler, 716! Come to arrest the Zulus!

@ballagh Жыл бұрын

“Be quiet now will you, there’s a good gentleman, you’ll upset the lads”

@sopwithpuppy Жыл бұрын

Well, not a line spoken in the film, but the film "The Beast" (in some countries it is "The Beast of War") starts with an excerpt from a Rudyard Kipling poem. "When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains, And the women come out to cut up what remains, Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains An' go to your Gawd like a soldier."

@johnfellows2867 Жыл бұрын

@@sopwithpuppy The Beast was an amazing, vastly underated movie !!

@richardwaddington2038 Жыл бұрын

I think that last battle scene was at the redoubt . A defensive position with 3 ranks of riflemen in stages , one rank fires , then reloads , the second rank fires and reloads, third rank fires and reloads , by which time the first rank is ready to fire again. That tactic won sooo many battles for the british army .

@spitfire1962 Жыл бұрын

I always loved the Zulu chanting and shield banging, as well as the Men of Harlech song.

@stumccabe Жыл бұрын

A long time ago I lived in Zululand for four years and watched Zulus doing their war dance. The Zulus are big muscular powerful guys and their dance is designed to stir them up to kill and to scare the bejesus out of the enemy - I never witnessed anything more intimidating in my life.

@Alfred5555 Жыл бұрын

I'd be more scared of the quiet fellas in red jackets with guns standing in the well fortified position personally.

@ryanbotha9775 Жыл бұрын

@@Alfred5555 ignorance is bliss, that's why the British got massacred so often. You are clearly a foreigner..

@johnkeating4221 Жыл бұрын

It takes great courage to face men with guns armed with nothing but a short spear.

@georgeparker7838 Жыл бұрын

You obviously never served in uniform.

@ryanbotha9775 Жыл бұрын

@@georgeparker7838 you definitely haven't! Not actively at least..

@theantilifeequation8150 Жыл бұрын

Harlech castle is a Welsh castle that has been at the centre of many sieges and bloody wars against other Welsh and English troops over the centuries. Men of Harlech was a song about a seven year siege ending in 1468 during one of the wars of the roses.

@RK-zf1jm Жыл бұрын

Yup and there is an English version of that song essentially the same except its about bow men

@flamingfrancis Жыл бұрын

Was it not essentially the National Anthem before National Anthems came to be. There is a history with the Welsh and NA's in a much as the very first time a NA was sung at a sporting fixture it was in Wales. Around the start of WW1 the Kiwi All Blacks toured GB and when they performed the Haka the crowd was so stunned they broke out to sing Land of our Fathers. It's a great story, something to be proud of

@timelaps8764 Жыл бұрын

@@RK-zf1jm please would love to here the other version of Men of Harlech about bowmen as you say. I'm 62 yrs old and never heard of it

@postiekeefveness4415 Жыл бұрын

My great, great grandad died at Rorkes Drift. He was camping in the field next door and went over to complain about the noise.

@thescarlet-bard4852 Жыл бұрын

Plonker... Lmao..

@petergoulding2421 Жыл бұрын

😂🤣🤣

@rodneycampbell2964 Жыл бұрын

The Australian army showed this movie for training of cadets during the Vietnam war, sorry police action. The Battle of long Tan.100 Australian and N.Z. Soldiers Held off 2Thousand Vietnam soldiers. The film was shown to show how the correct training and courage will prevail

@topcat4759 Жыл бұрын

One of the best British films ever made imo. Watched it at the cinema with my Dad as a ten year old back in the '70's and the battle scenes are realistic as you will ever see. The chants really do give you the chills no doubt. Thete bravery was unbeatable and filming actually taking place in Natal itself gives it all the realism you could ever wish for. The extra's with the dvd give you an in depth back ground to the filming and how Baker made his own input, filming in such a place back in 1964 must have been challenging to say the least. Roll call at the end and singing "Men of Harlech" even more poignant!

@ba55bar Жыл бұрын

so glad you've watched the movie previously before reacting to this bit. Goosebumps every time Men of Harlech begins

@The.Android Жыл бұрын

One of the greatest films ever and an epic music score by the equally great John Barry (of the James Bond films) to match.

@cornishbluebird Жыл бұрын

This is watched by Welsh regiments on St Davids Day i believe. Although at this time the South Wales Borderers was not known as such until after Rorkes Drift and was still known as the 24th foot (Warwickshire). Also Men of Harlech was changed for the movie to reflect.. hence why speers and warriors are sung.. Also Private hook was not as he was protrayed, unfortunately the movie bosses always want an antagonist. Hook actually didn't drink, and the family walked out of the cinema at the screening.... he was no malingerer

@theotherside8258 Жыл бұрын

In the 60's it seems the trend was revisionist, achieved by negatively portraying the British as inept, anachronistic or corrupt, - true or not. Bridge over the River Kwai being another example. I think i read somewhere this movement was not accidental. America was vying for influence in oil or other resource producing areas dominated by the British and CIA money was trying to colour attitudes against the British and their Empire by putting money into the film business covertly.

@Alfred5555 Жыл бұрын

@@theotherside8258 I wouldn't put it past them to use money in such a way. Perhaps even stirring division between England and the other nations of Britain, as it wasn't a Welsh regiment but an English regiment that fought at Rourkes Drift. But by the time its on the silver screen, all the English characters are rouges or elitists, mistreating their Welsh subordinates. Revisionist indeed. (I still love the film though)

@pj5517 Жыл бұрын

Were only a handful of Welsh actually there

@daviddavies3637 Жыл бұрын

Not as far as I'm aware. I was in the Royal Welch Fusiliers for a time and while there were traditions on St. David's Day, watching this wasn't one of them when I was there. One tradition was that the squaddies were served their meals by the officers and had a mug of tea in the morning laced with a heavy dose of rum, also dished out by the officers. Something else was that we'd receive goodwill messages from other regiments. The most notable that I remember was one we'd get from a regiment in the US, because of the regiment's involvement in the revolutionary war (it was at Bunker Hill, for example).

@theotherside8258 Жыл бұрын

@@daviddavies3637 one of my ancestors was in the regiment that became the Welch Guards but it was mostly recruited from Ireland

@wallythewondercorncake8657 Жыл бұрын

Few years back some people were trying to get a screening of this film cancelled because "it's racist". No idea how anyone could think that. As this scene perfectly shows, boths sides are seen as equals with respect for eachother. The British are absolutely horrified by the scale of the carnage and don't celebrate mowing down Africans. There's one scene in the film where a soldier describes the Zulu as "a bunch of savages" and he's immediately given a bollocking for being ignorant.

@williambranch4283 Жыл бұрын

Millennials think Black Panther is real ;-(

@ReachForTheSky Жыл бұрын

I think the Zulu king at the time actually made a statement supporting the screening, ironically!

@velociraptor3313 Жыл бұрын

If some people really think this film is "racist" then they are ignorant fools. I remember my dad showed me this movie when I was fifteen back in 2014, and it's one of my favourite movies of all time. It's shows the Zulus warrior culture and the British that are trying to survive. The final scene when the Zulus salute the British as fellow braves is beautiful and both sides are portrayed as equals. If anyone is interested I recommend History Buffs review of Zulu it's fantastic. Plus I sing Men of Harlech when I take my dog for walks along with other British songs like it's a long way to Tipperary and we're gonna hangout the washing on the Siegfried Line to name a few.

@williambranch4283 Жыл бұрын

@@velociraptor3313 I see no shame in one's own people, or theirs. Zulus were like Apache here in the US.

@velociraptor3313 Жыл бұрын

@@williambranch4283 I agree mate. I've got a friend that has native American blood in his veins and he's a good friend. There is one thing that my dad told me growing up. Try to look at things with an objective view, never let politics or emotions cloud your judgement and try to see things from both sides of the spectrum. Logic, reason, common sense and rationality.

@charleshirst6820 Жыл бұрын

One of my favourite all time movies. Everything about it is excellent but the music really excels. Zulu chants, Welsh male voice choirs and John Barry! Sublime.

@iriscollins7583 Жыл бұрын

Ivor Emmanuel.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👍

@minkgin3370 Жыл бұрын

As my old Mum used to say…..’They who sing to themselves, frighten away all ills’.

@ronaldminch9420 Жыл бұрын

IF my memory serves me - I read that This battle at Rorke's Drift was NOT suppose to occur , as the Zulu Chief only wanted to DEFEND Zulu land and appear to be the victim of Empirical Aggression . When the Battle of Isandlwana took place a reserve of Zulu's went to Rorke's Drift , with a member of the Zulu Royal family in command , who wanted glory for him and his men too . Speculation as to why they left at the end was the Chief issued a official recall and spoken to the Prince and his aids , leaving no choice but to return to Zululand proper .

@mfrost71w Жыл бұрын

Isandlwana was supposed to happen but as you say, Rorkes Drift was politics - a member of the Royal Family wanting his own glory. The Zulus retreated because word reached them that Chelmsford's big column was approaching the Drift. The arrival of the outriders is shown at the very end of the film but is otherwise not referenced by it. Much more detail on Chelmsford and the bulk of the British army that went with him is given in the film 'Zulu Dawn'

@davepb5798 Жыл бұрын

Amazing bravery, by both sides.

@davidjames9941 Жыл бұрын

Warriors all

@Jabber-ig3iw Жыл бұрын

Zulu is a good film but it’s not particularly historically accurate, for a start it was an English regiment at Rorkes Drift, not a Welsh one. The Stereotypical Old War Dog Colour Sergeant Bourne was actually only 23, he went on to serve in WW1 and died the day after VE Day in 1945. But the worst inaccuracy is the Portrayal of Private Hook VC, he was portrayed as a coward, a drunk and a scoundrel when in fact he was a exemplary soldier and tee total, who defended the hospital and was awarded the VC for his efforts. His daughters were so disgusted with the portrayal in the film they walked out of the Premiere.

@thelastoftheanglosaxons.3724 Жыл бұрын

Nice to see people actually know this nowadays and aren't scared to bring up facts. Also, there is actually no record of any song being sang by any Welsh lads either.

@pabmusic1 Жыл бұрын

So true. The buttons of the 24th foot read "2nd Warwickshire". They had opened a depot at Brecon a few years before, so some Welsh were recruited - but they were mainly in the 2nd Battalion, not the 1st, and most died at Isandalwana. The regiment became the South Wales Borderers in 1883.

@robbpatterson6796 Жыл бұрын

@@pabmusic1 My Aunt worked in the Royal Welsh Regimental Museum (Brecon) until her death in 2002, Was born there and must have visited there 400+ times. Must be one of my favourite ever museums

@dougoneill7266 Жыл бұрын

By this time the regiment had come to have little to do with the county of Warwickshire which is why the name was changed, to recognise the changing nature of it's personnel. it was by this time a largely Welsh regiment. It did indeed still have a large number of people from England, not all of whom were English. many were Irish, Scottish and a few from overseas. mainly India and the Caribbean. The Royal Welch Fusiliers museum had a very good display dedicated to this action in it's Caernarfon Castle depot. I don't know if they still do. I think the film reflected the mix very well for the time it was made.

@pabmusic1 Жыл бұрын

@@dougoneill7266 I agree with your first sentence. I also think that 'Welshness' was a thing - particularly with the massacre of much of the 2nd Battalion in the morning. So it wasn't surprising at all that they became the South Wales Borderers - after all, they had a depot at Brecon - it fitted well with the general hyperbole surrounding Rorke's Drift. But none of that made it (as the film says) a "Welsh regiment" in 1879. That was rather more to do with the fact that the Producer (and lead actor) was Welsh. The name change was part of an army-wide thing whereby the old numbered regiments became named ones - usually because two regiments were amalgamated into one (the 27th and 37th became the Hampshire Regiment, for instance). The 24th wasn't amalgamated with anyone, like a few others. It became the South Wales Borderers.

@mikecaine3643 Жыл бұрын

One of the VC winners at Rorke's Drift is buried at Philip's Park Cemetery Manchester about 2 miles from where I live ,

@michaelford5612 13 күн бұрын

His name is private William Jones VC

@edwardbevington9351 Жыл бұрын

Hook was actually a good guy made to look bad by the movie. Studio etc. Good reaction 👍💪❤

@shanenolan8252 Жыл бұрын

I believe 11 Victoria crosses were awarded that day . ( British equivalent of the medal of honour) a record. Still . ( you might enjoy the Jeremy Clarkson, Victoria cross documentary, )

@tobytaylor2154 Жыл бұрын

Yep, and hook won his in the hospital, the film doesn't show he held it for 2hrs whilst they got the wounded out.

@oufc90 Жыл бұрын

He’s already watched that mate

@rickb.4168 Жыл бұрын

The medal of honour isn’t even close. Certain actions might be. But in general it’s not even close.

@tobytaylor2154 Жыл бұрын

@@rickb.4168 true, but it is the highest award they give which is the same in that respect, just easier to win/earn. 😉

@rickb.4168 Жыл бұрын

@@tobytaylor2154 exactly. Certain actions will equal it, but most won’t. Even though I would never come close to the bravery all of them have shown.

@russcattell955i Жыл бұрын

"Men of Harlech" reminds me my grandma was Welsh. Lieutenant John Chard (played by the late great Welsh actor Stanley Baker) is a Legend in the Royal Engineers, a regiment my wife served.

@chipsthedog1 Жыл бұрын

If you enjoyed Zulu you really should watch Lawrence of Arabia another epic movie based on real events & a real person this time set in the first world war. It details how a British soldier was ordered to unite the different tribes and clans to then wage a guerilla war against the Germans and the Turks. The cinematography is Beautiful and the cast play their parts well especially Peter Otoole as Lawrence and Omar Sharif as sherif Ali.

@josephturner4047 Жыл бұрын

Or the Light Horseman.

@2eleven48 Жыл бұрын

Another 'based-on' film, which was pretty loose in its interpretation of what actually happened. Art over fact. Fine, if you want that sort of fakery.

@chipsthedog1 Жыл бұрын

@@2eleven48 Well if you want straight facts you watch a documentary and hope the makers do not have an angle but if you just want to be entertained with a story then movies are good, one has to remember even a story told by an actual eyewitness will have some degree of embellishment and I think by now we all know what to expect from a movie.

@brianperry Жыл бұрын

There is no doubting that this film is a masterpiece in cine-photography. The scene where Omar Sharif rides out of the shimmering desert is beautiful...Okay! historically its wanting but as a piece of cinema its truly great.. I believe the film was based on Lawrence's book The seven Pillars of Wisdom where I'm sure he was economical with the truth.... But what the hell, if one wants entertainment watch the film, if not go to a library, then bore all your friends with your new found knowledge...

@2eleven48 Жыл бұрын

@@brianperry ...There's no doubt that the film is a beautiful thing to watch, but it falsifies the true people and events it depicts. It's interpretative, fanciful, but no-one should ever come away from it thinking this is how things really happened. I've never gone to a library and then bored all my friends about my new-found knowledge about this subject. I'm 73, for fuck's sake. Robert, UK.

@pauldurkee4764 Жыл бұрын

Normally when the film Zulu is mentioned, bitter verbal fighting breaks out in the ranks of the comments, about who should have got a VC, and how many welshman were present, etc, etc. The actual commander of Rorkes Drift was Major Henry Spalding, on hearing the news from Isandlwana, he got on his horse and rode to Helpmakar for reinforcements, leaving Chard and Bromhead in charge. The man who really made a difference was James Langley Dalton, of the army commisariat. He had already had a long career in the army before he rejoined in the commisariat, so he had the most experience and put it to good use. He was the one who pointed out it was suicide to abandon the post and be caught in the open, and then organised the building of makeshift defences. The men at Rorkes Drift were not particularly good shots, the stores contained 20000 rounds of ammunition at the outset, and when relieved they were down to between 600 and 800 rounds, when you look at the numbers of dead Zulus, some say about 350 dead initially, but I understand they finished off the badly wounded, they expended a lot of ammo per man. They did exercise a lot of artistic license when making this film, but a good film it is.

@Alfred5555 Жыл бұрын

Ive read a interview published in the newspapers with one of the soldiers who was at Rourkes Drift and he made it very clear, as he assured that they killed more like (i cant remenber the exact number) 750, as the wounded were most defiantly put to death according to him.

@plymouth5714 Жыл бұрын

The Martini Henry could be very accurate in trained hands but it was notorious for the sights moving off target, Rudyard Kipling described the Martini in one of his poems saying "When 'aff of your bullets go wide in the ditch"! I believe one of the soldiers at the Drift did shoot a number of Zulu snipers up on the far ridge during the siege at a pretty long range!

@Dogs-of-war Жыл бұрын

Fortunately there are enough decent level-headed people who can recognise courage, integrity, bravery etc whatever their nationality, without resorting to petty sniping.

@pauldurkee4764 Жыл бұрын

@@Dogs-of-war Well contained in my comments were bare facts.

@davidorf3921 Жыл бұрын

Those soldiers were remarcably good shots compared to modern soldiers then, in the Iraq war of 2003 it's been calculated that roughly 1 fatality occured for every 60,000 rounds fired LOL in the American civil war the estimate was 60 rounds to take down an enemy soldier (not necessairily kill them) the reality is that most soldiers are not marksmen, you stop the enemy by concentraiting your firepower and at point blank range you just keep working the action and pulling the trigger because there is no time to aim, at further than point blank range you are tring to hit a running target it's not easy

@cathrynhesketh5703 Жыл бұрын

I went to see this film with my dad when it was 1st released.whenever it was on the telly we would sit and watch it.right up to him dying at 93 this was our film

@fossy4321 Жыл бұрын

When they filmed the final scene they couldn't recruit enough Zulu warriors, so each Zulu carried two cardboard cut-outs to make up the numbers, they had no legs but nobody noticed! The short stabbing spear is called an assegai I believe.

@robertstallard7836 Жыл бұрын

You're pretty well right. "Assegai" is a generic name for a spear. The stabbing spear is specifically the "Iklwa", an onomatopeic name coming from the noise it makes as it sinks into and is withdrawn from a body.

@wallythewondercorncake8657 Жыл бұрын

I'm pretty sure if that was true, it would definitely be noticed today

@fossy4321 Жыл бұрын

When you watch the film all the panoramic shots of the Zulu are from a long range generally standing in long grass so the lack of legs was easy to conceal. They had no CGI, when it came to close up shots of the warriors only 20-30 were in view but they made them fill the screen so it appeared there were lots more Zulus out of screen shot which there were not!!@@wallythewondercorncake8657

@Mark13091961 Жыл бұрын

Great info 👍🏻

@davidthomas4282 Жыл бұрын

One problem the crew had is that some of the Zulus were enjoying it so much that after they were "killed" they got up and rejoined the fighting.

@stevesterling1772 Жыл бұрын

In case you are wondering, neither side took prisoners.

@TheDazman50 Жыл бұрын

We still sing our songs today in UK, our tribe songs are at the football games.

@dougoneill7266 Жыл бұрын

You are right about the upper classes being able to purchase commissions in the British Army, but not so the Royal Navy. which was run along totally different lines and required actual talent and qualification to become a Post Captain or captain of a ship.

@theotherside8258 Жыл бұрын

I think the Artillery was also organised by merit as a certain amount of skill was required to organise logistics and gunnery. Somebody might correct me. Purchasing commissions didn't automatically mean that you got inexperienced numptys in charge. They purchases were often made by more junior ranks who were waiting in turn for placements to arise while they served.

@allenwilliams1306 Жыл бұрын

Conor: you misunderstand the relationship between the two officers. They are (I think) only Lieutenants, the CO of the infantry unit, the bulk of the troops present (being Bromhead), was outranked by seniority by a matter of days by the CO (Chard) of the small party of Royal Engineers, present only because there was a minor engineering project being carried out at the time there. Chard had no experience at all of commanding infantry: Bromhead had. Nevertheless, the fact that Chard had been gazetted Lieutenant earlier than Bromhead meant that he was the senior officer present, and was therefore obliged to take command, because he was the responsible person, according to the regulations, not Bromhead (the one with the greater experience). It is not a matter of class, it is just the way the rules work.

@daniellastuart3145 Жыл бұрын

, some history book say it was Acting Assistant Commissary James Dalton (of the Commissariat and Transport Department), that was really man that save the day

@allenwilliams1306 Жыл бұрын

@@daniellastuart3145 Arguably, but he was never in contention for who was in command of the troops, and ultimately responsible for what happened.

@wallythewondercorncake8657 Жыл бұрын

@@daniellastuart3145 How? I've never heard of him before. I've heard the argument that the Zulu only left because the British relief force was coming, was he leading them?

@ltsecomedy2985 Жыл бұрын

Also, by the conversation later between them, neither of them had experienced any similar type of a battle previously.

@josephturner4047 Жыл бұрын

He was a veteran Sergeant. Not the wimp as portrayed. The comissariat was a civilian contract supply company. Kind of like the NAAFI.

@barbarakendall5184 Жыл бұрын

First rank fires, drop to their knees to reload second ranks fire and so it goes repeat, repeat. A fantastic clutch of very proud Welsh actors and singers.

@Jabber-ig3iw Жыл бұрын

Which is internet considering it was an English regiment at Rorkes drift🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

@rickb.4168 Жыл бұрын

@@Jabber-ig3iw exactly it wasn’t a Welsh regiment until 2 years later.

@neilcairns9531 Жыл бұрын

I always find it funny when they put Welsh/ Scottish instead of British

@michaelmclachlan1650 Жыл бұрын

@@neilcairns9531 It's the British Army but regiments were/are recruited from particular areas and this forms a very important part of the regimental traditions.

@neilcairns9531 Жыл бұрын

@@michaelmclachlan1650 yes I understand that and I know that but they are still part of the British army instead of seducating. Why not just say the British army?

@johntoohey8502 Жыл бұрын

Rourkes drift is true, it happened in 1879, a large force of zulu warriors attacked rorkes drift after the massacre of the british army in the battle of Isandlwana. 150 british troops defended the station from 3000 to 4000 zulu warriors. 11 victoria crosses were awarded that day.

@ronaldwilkin5662 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant film and this clip with the zulu,s singing is amazing the commanding officer actor (Stanley Baker) is seeing the psychological effect it’s having on the men

@mfrost71w Жыл бұрын

You may recognize the Zulu saluting song at the end - it was lifted for the German barbarian army singing in the opening scenes of Gladiator

@trevorhanson3721 Жыл бұрын

I think it was the other way round Zulu was a much earlier film

@mfrost71w Жыл бұрын

@@trevorhanson3721 "lifted for" "not lifted from". Read more carefully

@plymouth5714 Жыл бұрын

I saw Gladiator on the telly a few days ago - I knew I'd heard that chanting somewhere before - thanks for that!

@davidjack9217 Жыл бұрын

Stanley Baker - the lead actor played the superior officer, although an Engineering Officer. Superb actor who I first saw in a monochrome movie - Hell Drivers.

@richardwest6358 Жыл бұрын

Baker - as a proud Welshman, was the driving force to get this film made

@edwardbevington9351 Жыл бұрын

Amazing film Helldrivers 👍

@christopherstrong150 Жыл бұрын

Hell drivers was full of young British actors who went on to become stars most especially Patrick McGovern brilliantly playing the baddy

@paulpte Жыл бұрын

Stanley Baker would have been a great James Bond.

@jamespasifull Жыл бұрын

& Sid James, from the 'Carry On' films

@briangibson6527 Жыл бұрын

I love this film,never get fed up with watching it.

@judileeming1589 Жыл бұрын

My husband and I love this film. Another equally epic film set during WWII was Tora Tora Tora which covered the Pacific sea battle between the US and Japan.

@tigeriussvarne177 Жыл бұрын

"News that came that morning told that the main force had been slain Chance for peace and justice gone and all talks had been in vain A prince had been offended and he has gone the path of war Now that 1500 men are dead and the Zulu′s at the door"

@DraconimLt Жыл бұрын

''A hostile spear, a new frontier, the end is near There´s no surrender The lines must hold, their story told, Rorke’s Drift controlled''.

@markdavies9636 Жыл бұрын

4th June 1879 - The main Zulu force of around 15,000 men attack Lord Chelmsford’s army at the Battle of Ulundi. The Zulus are destroyed and this effectively marks the end of the Anglo-Zulu War.

@paulcroxton6047 Жыл бұрын

Love the film...Some trivial facts " pvt Hook" wasn't a malingerer, he was a decorated Colour sergeant by the end of his career, Colour Sergeant Bourne was known as the kid, as he was the youngest Colour Sergeant in the British army at that time..and the battle was fought at night...All brave men on both sides

@Buckeystown Жыл бұрын

I seem to remember Hook's family thought about suing Baker for slandering him.. Bourne ended up a Lt Colonel after being called back to duty in WWI

@MARKSTRINGFELLOW1 Жыл бұрын

The life of Shaka Zulu is amazing. Well worth a look

@princessperdita Жыл бұрын

I’ve seen this film about half a dozen times and this clip has made me want to watch it again. It’s a wonderful film and you gave a very entertaining reaction Conor

@dongillan5287 Жыл бұрын

The day before Rorkes Drift the main body of the British Army had been wiped out at Isandlwana. Camping on an open plain, with no materials to make a perimeter barrier, they compensated by sending the pickets further out to provide additional warning. This only served to thin them out, however, and make it easier for the Zulu's to break through by sheer weight of numbers. Once inside the rout was made worse by new ammunition boxes that were very difficult to open and new Martini-Henry rifles that had an unfortunate tendency to jam. Even in victory, however, Zulu losses were staggering. The importance of Rorkes Drift so soon after was that it showed how effective the British Army could be against even more overwhelming numbers when in a prepared defensive position and further decimated the Zulu warriors. Volley by ranks is hugely more effective than individual fire and can be employed static or whilst advancing or retreating, eg. in retreat the front rank fires then runs to the rear to reload.

@plymouth5714 Жыл бұрын

@Don Gillan: I think the main problem was the Martini Henry cartridges rather than the ammunition boxes themselves. In the prequel film Zulu Dawn the boxes were shown being unscrewed by hand which was a very slow way to get at the rounds inside. In actual fact the lid of the box had a central section secured by four brass screws which were grooved in the middle and designed to shear off when the lid was given a hard knock from a rifle butt allowing rapid opening in an emergency. The Martini cartridges in both films were actually the later improved 'spun brass' version, like a modern cartridge - the ones at Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift were made from a brass foil literally wrapped around the gunpowder and lead bullet - I've got an inert one and they're huge! The problem was once the breech got really hot from continuous fire the foil could pull away from the rim so the ejector only threw out the rim leaving the foil stuck in the breech stopping the next round from sliding in and rendering the rifle useless (apart from the bayonet of course!)

@jamesmain_email6969 Жыл бұрын

@@plymouth5714 what a comment thank you

@stevetheduck1425 Жыл бұрын

It was the same day. Isandlwhana occurred in the morning and other Zulu units crossed the river and border about the same time, with Rorke's Drift happening a bit later. The horsemen who arrive before the fight begins are retiring from discovering the battle has happened at Isandlwhana.

@plymouth5714 Жыл бұрын

@@stevetheduck1425 Quite right! In fact at the end of the prequel movie Zulu Dawn when Chelmsford's column arrives back at Isandlwana too late to do anything about it, one of the officers reports to Chelmsford that he rode a little way towards the drift and that "the sky above was red with fire" they must have thought the hospital had been wiped out too at that time! That was when the hospital building was burning down during the night attacks.

@chrisBrown58 Жыл бұрын

Not strictly true...the British Army in the field was divided in 2 ...half was at Isandlwana, Lord Chelmsford had marched off with the rest, ignored later calls for help and his staff watched the slaughter through a telescope. Durnford was Chelmsford's scapegoat...the real cause was Chelmsford's colonialist's arrogance, and contempt for coloured peoples. The whole war was to remove the only power the the area in the way of the colony's expansion.

@johnchristmas7522 Жыл бұрын

The "ZULU's" were Africas most ferocious warriors, over 6foot tall and the most accomplished of all the tribes. They never lost a battle. So for the few British soldiers it was certain death, except for the honour of the "Zulus". As a footnote, my long lost friend was the sound editor on this film.

@ryanbotha9775 Жыл бұрын

They certainly did lose, Google battle of blood river!

@topcat4759 Жыл бұрын

As far as I am aware they beaten by the British at the battle of Ulundi. The last major battle of the Zulu war about July 1879. Chelmsford got his tactics right on that occasion, his lancers and gatling guns making all the difference. No question the Zulus were virtually unbeatable before that, especially when you consider the weaponry they had. Tactically they were spot on most of the time.

@rosemarie575 Жыл бұрын

I saw this on first release at the cinema, I was only a small child at the time, but I got caught up in the movie and stood up during the volley first scene and was shouting “fire” too 😂😂😂. It has always been my favourite movie. Simply because a small bunch of men through sheer grit and determination overcame such huge odds to not only survive but gained the respect of their enemies.

@Windowswatcher Жыл бұрын

One of my favourite films….so pleased you also enjoy it. These are my favourite parts, too.

@claytonskids6764 Жыл бұрын

MAN you’re GOOD ! ✨👍 sharing the moment with no interruptions…. YES ! Thank You 🤗

@corringhamdepot4434 Жыл бұрын

A later movie "Zulu Dawn" 1979 is a more historically accurate telling of the start of the war and the Battle of Isandlwana. Worth a watch if you are interested in the history. Not a patch on Zulu as a movie, even though they drafted in Burt Lancaster and a host of British stars. It was a screenplay by Cy Endfield, after he had been a co-writer on the Zulu film

@rogueriderhood1862 Жыл бұрын

Burt Lancaster in 'Zulu Dawn', yes, he appeared to think he was in a different film to everyone else, possibly a comedy judging by his accent.

@simongray2533 Жыл бұрын

If you've got a LOT of time on your hands you should watch Dino Laurentis' "Waterloo" Starring Christopher Plummer (Duke of Wellington) and Rod Steiger (Napoleon Bonepart). And absolutely underrated epic which is extremely, historically accurate.It used thousands of extras from the Red Army!

@oldgitsknowstuff Жыл бұрын

Yes.. I favourite on mine. Brilliant production. The Charge of the Scots Greys and the sheer arrogance of His Grace, the Duke of Wellington not to mention all those thousands of period costumes, the cost of the wardrobe must've been fantastic.

@simongray2533 Жыл бұрын

@@oldgitsknowstuff Yeah, I don't think it did as well as it should have at the box office but it is a proper "spine tingler". 👍

@oldgitsknowstuff Жыл бұрын

@@simongray2533 I agree. Wasn't it made around the time of 'Tora Toa Tora' & 'The Battle of Midway' , perhaps they mightve stolen the audience appeal for monster productions...?

@simongray2533 Жыл бұрын

@@oldgitsknowstuff Well I've just Googled it and Tora Tora Tora was made in the same year as Waterloo (1970) and The Battle of Midway was '76 so you might be right on the T'.T'.T'. front. Maybe the audience for Waterloo was just a bit too niche? Didn't go down too well in France apparently! 🤣

@oldgitsknowstuff Жыл бұрын

@@simongray2533 Perhaps it mightve been 'The Battle of Britain' (1969) which, for its time was an epic. Mind you, the BoB was a British made film. Hey.....and just one other point, there was no such thing as 'blue screen backdrop or CGi and many other technical tricks around like we have today. Bloodyell, I'm feeling old. As for Waterloo not appealing to French audiences, I refer to the Blackadder time machine production, Waterloo scene...Google that. (in a French accent) 'We will be slaughtered the moment we mince up the hill'.

@annemariefleming Жыл бұрын

The Welsh tenor who started the "Men of Harlech" singing was a popular operatic tenor named Ivor Emanuel. The short spear is called an assegai.

@david-spliso1928 Жыл бұрын

Knife to a gunfight.

@ftumschk Жыл бұрын

He was a baritone, not tenor. Otherwise correct :)

@overopensights Жыл бұрын

In later years I was a soldier in the 24th Regt, the discipline of the battle was always drummed into us, our attitude in our modern battles were bred from this, we were often reminded that we had traditions to live up to-and so we did,, the 24th held the most Victoria Crosses in the British army. Some of the descendants of soldiers who served in the Zulu war were still serving during the 1970s

@lindylou7853 Жыл бұрын

It’s the battering of the Zulu’s shields with their assegais that’s petrifying.

@matthewpace5834 Жыл бұрын

The song Men of Harlech actually refers to another famous episode in history whereby the Welsh, under the command of the Lancastrian's during the 15th century war of the roses, withstood a seven year siege at Harlech Castle. Unbeknownst to them at the time, a young boy named Jasper was living in the castle during the whole siege. He survived to be some king Henry of England. I think that it was fitting they chose to sing this particular song to gird themselves for the coming battle.

@dizzyprepper7850 Жыл бұрын

Men of Harlech was not written until after the Zulu Wars, so, no. It wasn't anything to do with the War of the Roses.

@matthewpace5834 Жыл бұрын

@@dizzyprepper7850 Men of Harlech" or "The March of the Men of Harlech" (Welsh: Rhyfelgyrch Gwŷr Harlech) is a song and military march which is traditionally said[1] to describe events during the seven-year siege of Harlech Castle between 1461 and 1468, when the castle was held by the Lancastrians against the Yorkists as part of the Wars of the Roses.[2][3] Commanded by Constable Dafydd ap Ieuan, the garrison withstood the longest known siege in the history of the British Isles.[4] ("Through Seven Years" is an alternative name for the song.)[5] The song has also been associated with the earlier, briefer siege of Harlech Castle about 1408, which pitted the forces of Owain Glyndŵr against the future Henry V of England. "Men of Harlech" is important for Welsh national culture. The song gained international recognition when it was featured in the 1941 movie How Green Was My Valley and the 1964 film Zulu. Just saying.

@timdavis1641 Жыл бұрын

King Henry the V11 of England

@lew2u Жыл бұрын

Actually one of the Welsh soldiers who fought in that battle is buried in our local church yard.

@simonknibbs5867 Жыл бұрын

Its a good movie. For me it is a test of military doctrine of the British forces that were considered some of the best in the world at the time. It also covers a mutual respect of the 2 sides. The Zulu's just keep coming and the British use there training to make it too costly for the Zulu's.

@TrimTrimmer Жыл бұрын

It’s like running into a gun battle with a sphere 🙂 That military strategy of shoot by rank really is brutal in reality, continuous bombardment, you’ve got no chance, it’s as good as a human machine gun

@ianclarke973 Жыл бұрын

It's a great film, that's all that needs to be said.

@nealrussell8637 Жыл бұрын

You may be unaware, the sound track of the Zulus singing/chanting was used in the opening battle scene in gladiator. It was used to represent the taunts of ? Gauls. The British government had no intention of invading the Zulus' homeland. It was carried out by a lose cannon.The makers of the film used quite a lot of poetic license. I have read many books on this subject and Zulu history,. My fave is tome titled The Washing Of The Spears. 750 pages of Zulu history from Skaka to after the Zulu wars. A must read. It is often believed that the Zulus only had spears, however they had been using firearms for sometime. Their arsenal grew after the opening battle.

@Craig-pw8ce Жыл бұрын

I,m 58 now and have watched this movie every year since first seeing it as a 10yr old . The greatest of all films and wonder what a remake would be like .And who would star in it

@tobytaylor2154 Жыл бұрын

Volley by ranks is each rank will fire at the same time, 1st rank fire! 2nd rank fire! And so on. Volley fire at 100 yards means everyone opens fire at 100yards, independent fire at will means help yourself fire when you want, which in the circumstances is as quick as you can individually.

@windsorSJ Жыл бұрын

Volley fire is the reason why the British army was so successful.

@Grymbaldknight Жыл бұрын

Drill, more generally, is why the British Army was so effective in Africa and Asia. Being better organised and disciplined usually makes up for having a smaller force.

@denebrimmicombe-wood8252 Жыл бұрын

The volley fire was so effective because of the constant drilling with live ammunition. No matter what regiment you were in, the drill was the same and when you are going through those motions you become an automaton. You only see what is in front of you and feel your “Mates” either side going through those same motions. That’s how it works…..

@Triggerfinger98 Жыл бұрын

I love how the Zulu's singing becomes much more agressive, when they hear the British and know they've not been broken

@truthhurts9241 Жыл бұрын

I caught you !! At the beginning of the excerpt, fiddling with your earphone lead. Then having a crafty nibble on it. (O.K. so you did catch yourself doing it and let go of the cable.) A real reaction to a great film, based upon great actions. Thanks and my regards,

@robertgraves2321 Жыл бұрын

Although I gather the "Singing competition" never actually happened, it does serve to intensify the identities of the opposing cultures in the film which, despite being rather relaxed about historical accuracy, does achieve a perfect dramatic depiction of the "Feel" of the battle.

@ryanbotha9775 Жыл бұрын

The Zulu would have sung.. it was part of their battle culture.

@lgracie33 Жыл бұрын

I actually watched it in the cinema when it screened in Ireland in the 60s. It frightened the life out of me, I was only 10, although I’d love to watch it now I’m all grown up 🤗

@colibri67 Жыл бұрын

This all took place within a couple of hours drive of where I grew up. Such memories!

@stevebton Жыл бұрын

I loved, LOVED the way you remained silent for most of this. I knew it was one of your favourites but this made it clear. It was as if I was there too, mesmerised. I am Welsh and this film has always been popular back home in the valleys but I respect the Zulu peoples.

@Andy-Capp Жыл бұрын

It always amazed me how Colour Sergeant Bourne never got a VC. He seemed to me to be the glue that held the men together. I read he was missed off of the recommendation list put in by Bromhead. Whether that was by mistake or if Bromhead didn’t feel he deserved one I don’t know.

@pauldurkee4764 Жыл бұрын

He ended up receiving the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

@ccc7534 Жыл бұрын

He asked that, instead of a VC, he could be made an officer.

@williamwilliam5066 Жыл бұрын

@@ccc7534 I think you'll find he turned it down as he couldn't afford it.

@the98themperoroftheholybri33 Жыл бұрын

The final Zulu at the end, the old man, was a boy when this battle actually occurred, it's a nice touch which gives this depiction a breath of realism (even though the singing didn't actually occur)

@shoutinghorse Жыл бұрын

The great grandson of the Zulu chief Cetswayo played him in the movie. His name is Prince Buthelezi and he's a South African politician who became minister of home affairs in Nelson Mandela's government.

@edwardtrunk5596 Жыл бұрын

" You've really annoyed them now Taff, sing something they know ! "

@bwilson5401 Жыл бұрын

Totally agree.One of the best battle scenes in movie history and the Zulu War songs send shivers down your spine.

@newuk26 Жыл бұрын

South Africa was classic example of handing responsible govt over to a province that wasn't ready for it

@wallythewondercorncake8657 Жыл бұрын

Congo was a worse example. Immediate civil war

@kevinbeasley946 Жыл бұрын

I watched a program about the actual Sergeant, he was actually only 5ft 8” approx and did not receive the Victoria cross but the next award down, I think he lived a long life and ended up a highly decorated soldier.

@michaelmclachlan1650 Жыл бұрын

Yes, Colour Sergeant Bourne, at age 21 the youngest to hold this rank, earning him the nickname "The Kid" and still only 23 at Rorke's Drift. he was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal and a £10.00 annual annuity, turning down an offered commission as he couldn't afford an officer's lifestyle. Died aged 90 on 9th May 1945, holding the honourary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel after rejoining for WWI and appointed OBE. A very fine man.

@chrisholland7367 Жыл бұрын

That's right Colour Sargent Frank Bourne was the youngest N.C.O.in the British Army at the time .Apparently his nickname was "The kid " but actor Nigel Green made that role his own.

@michaelmclachlan1650 Жыл бұрын

@@chrisholland7367 He did indeed, a marvelous actor. George MacDonald Fraser, in his book "The Hollywood History of the World" was very taken with Green's portrayal; he'd been trained by a number of these "old Army" types and Green was perfect. There's a nice collection of clips here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qN6Vo6qp3uCRiWg.html

@Billyg215 Жыл бұрын

Watching your facial expressions and you really are into this scene. Have to admit to me this scene is THE best part of Zulu.

@qiph Жыл бұрын

It was explained in the film Stanley Baxter's character was there to build a bridge so didn't have previous battle experience but he out ranked Michael Caine's charcacter by length os service and so took command

@Zebred2001 Жыл бұрын

Check out the prequel - Zulu Dawn as well as the movie Shaka Zulu. Great stuff!

@stephenspencer8224 Жыл бұрын

Watched this a few times too. First the Sergeant depicted was in fact young for his rank at that time. The unit was not a Welsh regiment of foot either. The rifle used in the Zulu Wars, the Martini-Henry Mk 1 & 2 I have fired on a number of occasions and found to be accurate. One hell of a sized round too. The Zulus in the film were descendants of those who fought at Rorkes Drift.

@johnfellows2867 Жыл бұрын

Was actually The Warwichshire Regiment.

@paulinedixon3490 Жыл бұрын

My husbands favourite film of all time Sends shivers down the spine.

@josephturner4047 Жыл бұрын

I said it earlier but the charge on Beersheba in the Light Horseman is worthy of a look. There is a monument there.

@Ayns.L14A Жыл бұрын

Another great movie to check out is Zulu Dawn it covers the previous days battle of Isandlwana

@jamesbrady4950 Жыл бұрын

Shaka Zulu really good watch from early 80s I think. Music in it is amazing.

@willmark100 Жыл бұрын

Volley by ranks- Fire in line consecutively together when officer gives the order and ranks are the the lines you have been positioned in

@puffin51 Жыл бұрын

It was called "beaten ground". The idea is that three ranks of riflemen could put bullets into enemy to their front, faster than enemies could pack into it and close. It could be done for the first time with single-cartridge breech loading rifles like the Martini-Henry. Previously, even with cap-and-ball black powder muzzle loaders like the Springfield of only a decade before, the rate of fire was too slow to prevent determined enemy in numbers from closing. What is shown in this clip is nothing less than a revolution in warfare. Shock and melee had always been the final arbiter of battle. No longer.

@the98themperoroftheholybri33 Жыл бұрын

Another good movie which has so many iconic scenes is "Young Winston", a movie which describes Winston Churchill's early life from childhood until his entry into politics. He was a veteran of the Sudan war, where he was part of the last full Cavalry charge to be issued by the British army

@williambranch4283 Жыл бұрын

The Sudanese people did the same war tactics as Shaka did earlier, but there were too many Europeans, and the European guns were much better than the junk the British were using 20 years earlier. Winston was part of the cavalry that attacked and drove off the right horn of the Sudanese army.

@jon8xty1 Жыл бұрын

I went to the grave of John Rouse Merriot Chard played by Stanley Baker and Hook's grave. Lieutenant Bromhead died in India and no grave remains there. There is a book called Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana 22nd January 1879 Minute by Minute by Chris Peers which I am reading. So if you wish to know what really happened you should get it.

@andrewjohnston4127 Жыл бұрын

As a crusty old ex Royal Engineer I can confirm that this film is mandatory viewing in the corps 😁

@Paul-eb4jp Жыл бұрын

I'm welling up again, the courage shown by both sides is incredible, I'm sure I'd have dug a hole and climbed in until it was all over, I love the film and the fact that it shows the nobility of the Zulus.