The family of Private Henry Hook were extremely upset about the film portrayal of him. He was in fact, a model soldier who deserved his VC, not a workshy malingerer.

One of this movie's technical advisors was a Zulu Princess, and the tribe's historian. She knew the battle strategy perfectly, and drew it on the sand. Director Cy Endfield shot it exactly as she drew it.

For me the advancing kneeling and standing ranks reloading and firing scene was one of the most memorable of the film. It showed how effective disciplined soldiers and tactics could be against terrifyingly overwhelming odds.

Epitome of discipline and courage. Epic portrayal of British military tradition and the reason why the Brits fight above their weight in every conflict. Magnificent film.

The last British survivor of this battle, Frank Bourne, died on the 9th May 1945. The day after World War II ended in Europe. He was portrayed by Nigel Green in the film.

All the Zulus in the film are actual Zulus not actors

My favourite war movie of all time. Bravery, Discipline and Respect all around. And introducing Michael Caine. What a film!

I never tire of this film and have seen it many times. I served in a Royal Engineer Regiment which celebrated the centenary of Rorke's Drift, particularly as three of the Regiment's Squadrons were serving together for the first time since the Zulu wars. True to military fashion we were ordered to parade in the evening and were then marched to the gymnasium and 'forced' to watch ZULU on a large screen. No one complained.

Private Henry Hook VC was not the waster he was portrayed to be in the movie. He was an honest, decent man of good moral standing, fully deserving of his Victoria Cross!

Despite there being a number of inaccuracies, this is one of the greatest movies in British history. The CSM was the youngest in the army and died on VE day.

One of the main reasons the British stayed put at Rorke's Drift was that the Zulu were extremely mobile and had they retreated it is more than likely they would have caught up with them. Hindered with the Wagons and the sick and injured they would have been cut to pieces in the open. They had a fighting chance defending the post.

An Aussie that I used to work with had served with the Australian army in Vietnam. He told me that during training they watched this film. And no it wasn’t about shooting down natives armed with spears, it was about discipline and obeying orders. It’s how some 17000 or so members of the roman army defeated 200000 celts at the battle of Watling Street. It’s why the mob break ranks and run when charged by the police.

One of the best films of all time. Men of Harlech is fantastic.

The ‘train’ sound of the zulus is not their footsteps… it’s the beating of the spears on their shields.

I don't know how many times I've seen this film, but I'm not ashamed to say that every time I see the part with the ranks of soldiers keeping up continuous fire I cry. It never fails to shock me.

The natives in this film were actual Zulus who knowingly helped recreate the events. I think the closing chant given by the tribesmen before they departed was one acknowledging the valour of the British defenders. A warrior to warrior mark of respect

"Zulu Dawn" with Peter O'Toole and Burt Lancaster shot a decade later is a worthy prequel to Zulu and worth a watch. Not as good as Zulu but they upped the budget and the battle scenes are spectacular.

Two of the lead actors in this Nigel Green (the Sargent) and Stanley Baker (the officer in charge) both died relatively young. Baker at 48 and Green at 47.....both were well established British actors having been in multiple big movies....Baker a Welsh man himself, was instrumental in making his movie!

This film was surprisingly praised at the time for its depiction of the Zulu. Like most films at the time would have shown the soldiers in a positive light, and nowadays they might have shown the Zulu as the heroes. But the film protrays neither as bad or good people; just people fighting in a conflict. The soldiers are scared of what the Zulu are capable of, and the Zulu are scared of what the British will do to their home.

Learn you’re history young man.I’m so proud to be British 🇬🇧💪

Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded in the Battle of Roukes Drift. The highest honour in the British Military.

Two soldiers from this battle are buried in Philips Park Cemetery in Manchester U K . One of them a VC holder, both died in abject poverty and are buried in Paupers Graves. They were finally given a headstone by the War Graves Commission during the 1980s.

I am very proud to say, this was my fathers Regiment. My dad took me to see it when it premiered in the Garrison Cinema. If you have never seen a hundred plus Welsh squaddies standing on their seats and singing Men of Harlech at the top of their voices? You do not know what you have missed. You can guess what game was played during play time in the Garrison School. Lets just say it was very hard getting any of the lads to be the Zulus, we must have re enacted the redoubt volley scene a million times. Long time ago now, but I still remember it like it was yesterday, just like I remember him taking me to the Garrison Tailor for my first pair of long trousers!

I saw this in the cinema when it came out with my three younger brothers. The sound system was good and the screen was big. It was terrifying and has remained one of my favourite movies. The captured spears and shields were on display in a small garrison museum in the welsh valleys. Fascinating stuff.

Private Robert Jones VC is buried in my village churchyard, he commited suicide a few years after the battle. He was one of the men who helped the wounded out of the hospital.

One of the greatest movies ever made. It's why you see so much that looks "very modern"; this is Beatles' era movie making, the bridge between the gungho stuff from WW2 and beyond to the modern. It has its flaws, there are some historians here on KZfaq that point them out, but that doesn't diminish the Story the movie tries to tell.

Stanley Baker, "Chard" got the producers to bring a projector and movies to the set to play for the tribesmen as they had no understanding of what they were actually doing, Also I served under Brigadier Bromhead when he was commanding officer of the Berlin Brigade in the late 80's he was Michael Caines characters Great Grandson....

This Movie has the greatest line in cinema history, just before the singing. "what do you think? well sir, they have a great bass section but no top tenors" nothing ever written has been as clever as these words.

South African political leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi played Zulu King Cetshwayo kaMpande, his great-grandfather. Also, this film was Michael Caine’s first starring role.

The 1950s and 60s were the era of incredible, historical epic films. No expense was spared in these type of films.

I remember my grandmother telling me about her uncle "Blackie" who I think fought in the battle of Isandlwana. He lived with her when she was very young. She told me that whenever he regaled stories about the battle he would break down in tears. God knows what he witnessed.

My favourite movie of all time. Makes me proud to be British. I have it on DVD yet still watch it every time it is on TV.

I was a little boy when this movie was released and my Dad took me to see it. I was blown away even at such a young age and it's been my favourite movie ever since.

Sgt Vaughn’s story is worth a look. He was an NCO at the battle in his 20’s, reenlisted in 1914 and eventually passed the day after VE Day 1945 as an highly decorated honorary Lieutenant Colonel.

Ive seen this film so many times that i find myself saying "Be a good gentleman" quite often.

Michael Caine (Maurice Joseph Micklewhite) -- excellent actor who with a few exceptions is one of Britain's finest exports!

Loved watching your reaction, mate. Thank you. It would have been impossible to outrun the Zulus, even with the amount of notice they had. So Chard made the right decision to stand their ground.

RIP Chief Buthelezi played the role of his own great-grandfather, the Zulu King Cetshwayo, in the film Zulu.

Chard's thinking at the time according to his memoirs, was there was no way they could out run the Zulu even if they left the sick and injured, better to try and hold a defensive position,and fight than be caught out in the open and massacred.

Great reaction EB to a great film! Stanley Baker, the star of this film, was a stalwart of the British film industry in the 1950’s and 1960’s and made some great British films! One of his you might want to check out is Hell Drivers (1957) which is about truck drivers competing with each other to drive sand and ballast from one point to another to get the highest bonus money. It has outstanding early performances from Patrick McGoohan, Sean Connery (5 years before becoming James Bond), and William Hartnell (6 years before becoming the Doctor in Doctor Who!) The film was directed by Cy Endfield, who went on to direct Stanley Baker in Zulu which you’ve just reacted to! Three films you might want to see with Michael Caine is Alfie (1966), The Italian Job (1969) and Get Carter (1971). The latter two are both highly regarded and much loved film by us Brits), and are great films in their own right!

This is one of my all-time favourite movies. The story isn't accurate, but the Zulu dancing and such is authentic. Above all, what I love about the movie is that the film colour and scenery backdrop is amongst the best I've ever seen

There was much mutual respect for the warriors on both sides. The Zulus were well organised in military tactics a and were a fearsome foe. Zulu is a brilliant movie, showing the bravery of both sides. One of my favourite movies. It’s well worth reading the history of the Anglo-Zulu war

I love the way the film shows the mutual respect between two warrior cultures. Great film.

The officer in charge Stanley Baker lived a few doors away from my nan in Epsom , England , she was friends with him and about 1970 when i was about 5 years old i remember my nan taking me around to his mansion house to meet him .He answered the door and i shook his hand , great actor back then .

The Sergeant Major at Rorke's Drift was offered a Victoria Cross. He refused it and asked for a commission instead He finished his military career as a Colonel

I'm a Historian, I wrote my thesis on the Battle of Isandlwana. I highly recommend the book The Washing Of The Spears by Donald Morris for a comprehensive, but easy to read and understand account of the Anglo-Zulu War. And the sequel to this film, Zulu Dawn, is also pretty good.

"Zulus, thousands of 'em!"

A terrific film , based on actual events . So many British actors , we don't have productions of this size today , some at the peak and others at beginnings of their careers . It hasn't been on tv for quite while but very memorable nevertheless.

Zulu Dawn is well worth a watch, often overlooked and forgotten about, but its also a great movie.

My parents lived in Kenya, in the 60's when they were in their early 20's. They returned to Scotland and had a family. Seeing old 8mm home movies from their adventures was a yearly event when me and my siblings were growing up. African ornaments and figures were everywhere throughout the house. They are in their 80's now and the family had a get together earlier this year and we watched their old movies. i asked my dad if he remembered when i was about 8 years old i asked what his small scar/skin tag was on his chest.... he replied, it was when i was in Africa fighting the zulu's and he said 1 ran at him with a spear and he shot him between the eyes and as he fell dying his spear grazed his chest. My elderly father totally denies saying this and we all had a good laugh about it, but i have a vivid memory of him saying that :)

This was an astonishing defence by the Royal Engineers and the 24th of foot(2nd Warwickshires) I watched this with my old man when I was a kid and was sooo proud. Only 17 British soldiers were killed against approx 350-500 Zulu warriors(some of the officers disagreed with that tally, citing that is was closer to 800. That's not including the wounded who the British put to death after hearing what the Zulus did to their wounded comrades at Isandlwana, no quarter given. Great vid again bud.👍

Michael Caine and Stanley baker. And Nigel green what a cast Great movie. Great review stay safe 👍

It's a wonderful film and the core facts of the engagement were as they were portrayed. The Zulu's were portrayed mostly by Zulus, the King by one of his decendents. Some events were added for effect, there was no sing off, and while they did reappear on the hill at the end, it probably wasn't a salute, its suggested they saw the relief column. The minister story was mostly invention, in reality he was a younger man, who was going to fight with the soldiers, but he decided to leave to join his wife and children. They played fast a loose with the characters of some of the men, all the names were real. Hook was actually a model soldier, a tee total lay preacher. Commissary Dalton was actually a hugely important figure, here he mainly comforts the cook. Colour Sgt Bourne was not tall middle aged NCO, he was a short 23 year old, who had an zmazing, you should read to his story.

for some reason these old movies don't get shown anymore.... despite the immense respect most people who know about it have for the Zulus. for important history context, the British were invading Zulu land, the column of approximately 1750 men at istlandwana was wiped out in an ambush they were totally unprepared for. the old man and his daughter are missionaries from rorkes drift and the Zulu king ordered his men ONLY TO DEFEND, his nephew disobeyed and crossed the border into South Africa and attacked rorkes drift.

This is one of the greatest war films ever. It takes historical liberties, but it's a great film, with an incredible caste and breathtaking cinematography. But it was also more respectful to the Zulu warriors than many other depictions of indigenous peoples from that era.

This is one of my favourite movies , first saw it when I was 11/12, the firing by ranks scenes made a huge impression on me as did the 11 VCs awarded. My brother visited the battlefield and the guide was a descendant of one of the Zulu’s from the battle. As I got older , I learnt that the British government / military realised that they needed a positive news story to offset the embarrassing defeat at Islandwana so the 11 VCs was partly a PR thing. Also learnt that the film does have inaccuracies ; unfortunately there was no singing / sing off , no respecting the defenders as warriors before departing and as people have mentioned private hook was not as portrayed . But it did show the zulus as a brave warrior national and respected foe. The music is haunting 🇬🇧

you have to remember beardy 'the army doesn't like more than one disaster a day, looks bad in the papers, upsets the civilians'

One of my favourite films of all time. I have lost count of how many times I have watched it, often in recent years sparked by seeing a clip or a reaction to it on KZfaq :). I can only tell you that as a young English boy seeing this for the first time, it was one of those moments when you learn some lessons about courage and discipline - it's why stories are *so* important to a culture and why is it so insidious and not a trivial thing that the modern media are being allowed to poison our societies. That scene where they were backed up against the redoubt firing in three lines has been etched in my minds eye since that first watching and then in subsequent watchings I began to understand and agree with other messages, such as the moral core to Chard and Bromhead's post battle conversation. You summed it up perfectly with your video title tho', my friend, it is an amazing movie.

My great, great, grandad was killed at Rourke's Drift. He was camped in the field next door and went over to complain about the noise.

I'm British-born, but the son of South African parents who were exiles from the bad old days of apartheid, partly because my dad grew up with Zulus. There is a lot to this story (which is essentially true, but incomplete) that doesn't get told. Rorke's Drift, heroic as it certainly was, arguably should not be treated as a battle in it's own right. The importance of the engagement was played up by the British government and media to help downplay the larger engagement, which was the Battle of Isandlhwana. That was the greatest defeat ever inflicted on the British by a native army. Rorke's Drift was an engagement between this small detachment of Welsh Guards and others and a couple of battalions from the main Zulu army sent to harry the survivors of Isandlhwana as they fled. Be careful not to think of the Zulus as military simpletons. Their army had structure and discipline, with regiments, officers, special forces, the whole deal. Think of them as a sort of African version of the ancient Romans... who were famously serious and organised. They were incredible warriors. Their king ,Cetaswayo, was also no fool. For sure, they won a great victory in the main battle, but when his military people talked about pressing their advantage, he told them very clearly that they could not afford more "victories" like Isandlhwana. A battle in which thousands of them died defeating the invading British forces (they were invading the Zulu homeland at the time). Following these engagements, the British brought up reinforcements with more competent officers (than Lord Chelmsford, commander of the column, who died in the battle I believe). They also brought up big guns. Zulu resistance was fairly promptly, and maybe, tragically, swept aside. But don't let any of that diminish the respect for these men. All you can do is what's there for you to do. They did it with courage and tenacity which is rightly famous.

It is a great movie, one of my favourites, I have seen it so many times as it gets shown over here quite regularly. Edit another movie set in S Africa, against the Boers, is Young Winston

Hi Alan, the actual number of men at Rorkes Drift is quoted in a lot of places as 137, not sure if that is the total, or just the men of the 24th Foot. The casualties for the 24th Foot was a lot lower than it appeared in the film, 17 kia. If they'd have tried to get out the Zulus would've caught them in the open, and it would've been goodnight Vienna, pvt Hooks family were not impressed with the films portrayal of him, by all accounts he was a model soldier. The Zulu King Cetshwayo was portrayed by his great-grandson, King Buthelezi, because of the apartheid laws in South Africa at the time, there were problems finding ways to pay the Zulu People, the film company got around it by gifting all the cattle in the film to the Zulu Nation.

Much respect to the British soldiers and the Zulu warriors, one of my top 5 all time history based war films.

One of my favourite films. The zulu chants when they are saluting them are awesome. Was lucky enough to see the regimental flag and an exhibition on the battle at pembroke castle in wales 37 yrs ago when i was on honeymoon. If you ignore michael caine trying not to speak with a cockney twang, it is brilliantly acted 🙂

Since its inception in the 1850s the Victoria Cross has only been awarded 1358 times. Major battles involving thousands of British troops in two world wars often resulted in just one or two VCs being awarded. It puts the heroism of these men into perspective. This action was roughly contemporary to the battle of the Little Big Horn. There was similar war background of the government and military trying to control a large native group.

My great, great, great Uncle died at Rorkes Drift, Pvt 801 Thomas Cole, he was portrayed in the film by Gary Bond as somewhat of a scared kid guarding the Vicar, then getting shot at the sand bag defence and then dying on the operating table, "A paper hanger". I don't doubt that he was utterly terrified, but he actually died trying to rescue people from the burning hospital building, he ran outside and caught a ricochet from a Zulu rifle and died instantly. He was nicknamed "old king Cole" in the regiment. Brave young man.

The soldiers who fought a Rorke's drift where not a Welsh regiment but the ,2nd Battalion of the 24th Foot based in Warwick , England.

The formation of 3 lines of armed soldiers firing in alternate patterns dates back to at least the napoleonic wars and was called a "British Square" and was pretty effective as there was a non stop barrage of rifle fire and it was pretty much impenetrable from cavalry soldiers. Love the film, love the reaction and I damn near start crying every time I hear Men of Harlech being sung

Another great movie based on a true story is the aussie movie Breaker Morant set during the Boer war.

Oh and absolutely amazing musical score!

One of my favourite films, watched with my dad as a child im 42 now and its still as good as the day i watched it. It's nice to see you appreciate it. The ending still gives me goosebumps!

Will always seems to get the short end of the stick, being that everyone fires at him.

Excellent, stirring music by John Barry. Commissary James Langley Dalton gets overlooked in the film as it was his idea to stand & fight. The Witt's were Swedish missionaries. Stanley Baker was a proud Welshman but it was a liberty to portray an English regiment a mostly Welsh as that didn't happen until about 10 years later. Despite Apartheid he insisted on equal pay for the Zulus. Rourke's Drift has stores for the battalion which helped as most of the ammunition was used up by the battle.

Love your reaction, this was bravery beyond bravery on both sides.

It was astounding from so few against the thousands, thanks mate, it makes me cry, they could have run, but they stayed and fought. Love your video on this story, thanks!

This movie takes place at Rorke's Drift. It took place in the immediate aftermath of the British loss at Isandlwana. There is another movie, made after this one, called "Zulu Dawn" and starts Peter O'Toole. It covers the events of the beginning of the War and Isandlwana. Personally, I think it is a lesser creation than this one but it might help to clarify to story for you. If I remember correctly, Buthelesi, the king of the Zulu when this was filmed, played the part of Cetyshwayo, the king during the Zulu war. The weapon of the Zulu was/is the Assegai. It is a short handled stabbing spear. The rifles had by the Zulu were spoils picked up at Isandlwana from dead British bodies. At this time, there would have been some Zulu who knew how to shoot but not many. Zulu impis were renown for their speed and mobility. British infantry, while justifiably famous for being able to "hold the line", was also notoriously slow. If they had left Rorke's Drift, the Zulu would have caught them in the open and it would have been over in moments. The loss at Isandlwana was more due to bad leadership and contempt for the natives.

What I so love about this film is it shows the incredible bravery and respect of those both British and Zulu deserve. Have been looking at the history of Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Edward Bourne OBE DCM (27 April 1855 - 9 May 1945).

Nigel Green should have won an award for the most fearsome set of mutton chops

My dad’s favourite film, and one of mine too - you’re the first on KZfaq to do a proper reaction to it! ❤

The two things they got the MOST wrong in this movie were (1) Private Hook was not a malingerer, thief and coward, he was actually a model soldier; and (2) the Reverand Witt was not a pacifist drunken coward. The Reverand actually helped to prepare the defenses for Roark's Drift, then left shortly before the battle began to go take care of (defend) his wife and young children. (He wasn't much older at the time than the actress playing his fictional daughter.) Why they maligned Hook so badly I don't know - the true story was awesome enough without doing that. As for maligning the missionary - a lot of movie makers never miss an opportunity to dismiss Christians' faith and show them in a negative light. This is a perfect example. So maybe he's not the "dumbass" idiot SOB the guy making the movie got you to believe he was. (Take a little time to think about that next time you want to kill someone.) Also, the "sing-off" was the most awesome part of the movie. If it didn't really happen, it should have. As for the true parts, you are right that both officers were out of their depth. Bromhead (M. Caine) was from the aristocracy, so it was natural and expected for him to look down on everyone, even fellow officers who were not so high born. Chard (S. Baker) came from a non-aristocratic family, so he had to make his way by merit as an engineer. Basically, the story is that after the battle nobody who knew them were surprised they didn't run (that would be very un-British) but were surprised by how well they did. --- Greatest lines from the movie: - It's a miracle. - If it's a miracle, Colour Sergeant, it's a short chamber Boxer Henry .45 caliber miracle. - And a bayonet, Sir, with some guts behind.

I know this movie. I have it on dvd. One of my top 10 of all time.

So glad you did this! There's hardly any reactions to it just a few reviews. Thank you

Easily one of the best reactions I've seen in ages. Amazing movie! Good job!

I saw this film in the cinema in NW London when it was released. Not sure what rating the film had but I was 8 or 9 years old & I went with my school friend & his father. All these years later & it is still one of my favourite films. Used to be shown on UK TV every Christmas.

The main reason the British lost so many at Isandalwana was that they couldnt open the boxes of Ammunition as the boxes still had the screws securing the lids on them.

one of the great things about zulu is the face that there are no "bad guys" or "good guys". in a modern holywood blockbuster like this there would always have to be clear "bad guys". just men fighting to stay alive from one second to the next.

I'm glad you had the chance to watch Zulu, any movie lover should see it at least once.

Astounding result for the Warwickshire regiment. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 The Welshmen in the ranks did well too.

For anyone interested in the true story of Rourkes Drift and the Zulu War, I highly recommend Zulu: The Heroism and Tragedy of the Zulu War of 1879 by Saul David. A great read, and you'll be surprised by the true story. Enjoy

This was Michael Cain's first major role, he wasn't even credited in most of his earlier films. Stanley Baker was the producer and "star" of the film. Jack Hawkins who played the missionary was a huge star. I grew up watching him playing officers in black and white war movies, and police inspectors in crime dramas.

The Zulu chief in this movie was actually playing his own ancestor

Upon its' release I watched the move Zulu two weeks before myself and family emigrated to South Africa, I remember thinking "Christ ! is it too late to try for Australia " 😀 Great movie and several weeks later I got to speak albeit briefly with Lt. Chard (Stanley Baker) at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Cape Town.

Anything that has an introduction with Richard Burton narating automatically gets five stars! _No one would have believed, in the last years of the nineteenth century, that human affairs were being watched from the timeless worlds of space_ ... _To begin at the beginning: It is spring, moonless night in the small town, starless and bible-black_ ... _The secretary of state for war has received the following dispatch from Lord Chelmsford: Broadsword calling Danny Boy_ ...

Best war movie ever . Respect and class was shown by both sides filming this epic ,

I have loved this movie for decades. As a woman living in a time when men are so disparaged, we women have to remember we were always spared from the front line. The bravery on both sides is remarkable. God bless the souls of all who lived or died in this horrible battle. Thank you, men.

At this point the British army didn't practice marksmanship (relying on volleys) and the Martini Henry rifle tended to jam. Analysis after the war indicated that only 1/13 shots killed anyone (about 8%) even though through and throughs were possible. It took the 2nd Boer War thirty years later to convince the army to emphasise accuracy. In 1914 the British rifleman was so good the Germans often thought they were facing machine guns even where there were none.

This was the film that was Michael Caine's big break and he pulled it off despite his real-life persona being very different. He was born just off the same High Street in Walworth SOUTH East London as me,15 years earlier and we attended the same famous Boys Club where The Prime Minister,Queen Mother, and Bob Hope visited ad where Sir Michael first appeared on stage. It was Clubland.

Don't forget it is just a movie. Watched it as a 17 year old recruit, week 6, recruit training Australian Army, 1969. All recruits were shown this movie and probably still are today. When the Zulu's starting singing praise for their enemies at the end I remember thinking. ""Yeah right. Absolute BS!

The man playing the Zulu king, Cetshwayo, is his grandson, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. He's still alive and is an MP in the South African parliament.

One of the greatest British films ever made. Meks me prahd t'be English. /Salutes King