Today’s quick review: Zulu. On January 23, 1879, a thousand British troops are wiped out in a disastrous battle with the Zulu in South Africa, leaving only a few dozen men to guard the British outpost. Following his last orders, Lieutenant John Chard (Stanely Baker) takes over command from Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead (Michael Caine) and mounts a hopeless defense against an army of four thousand Zulu warriors sent by King Cetewayo (Chief Buthelezi).
Zulu is a historical war drama about the Battle of Rorke’s Drift. Badly outnumbered and cut off from reinforcements, Lt. Chard and Lt. Bromhead fortify a British outpost and attempt to hold off the Zulu assault for as long as they can. The film’s strength lies with its scale and its historical detail. The ebb and flow of the battle comes to life as two disciplined armies test each other and fight to overcome the other’s advantages.
Zulu pays close attention to the tactics of the battle. The film shows step by step as the British prepare their fortifications, make the most of their limited troops, and react to the Zulu offensive. The asymmetry between the armies makes for a fascinating battle. The Zulu have an enormous advantage in numbers, but the British have defensive structures to man. Seeing the way the armies adapt to one another is one of the highlights of the film.
The other major draw is the way Zulu handles the personal side of the battle. Lt. Chard is an engineer who happened to be the ranking officer present, while Lt. Bromhead is a commanding officer who has never seen a real battle. The men must put aside their differences, settle on a course of action, and keep their soldiers in line in order to have any chance of survival. Along the way, the film explores the ethos and protocols of the British army.
Still, there are aspects of Zulu that will diminish some viewers’ enjoyment. The action is large in scale, with a massive army of Zulu extras, but the fight choreography is clumsy by modern standards. The supporting cast adds some flavor to the film, but there are too many characters to easily keep track of. Finally, the kinds of resistance Chard and Bromhead meet can be frustrating, as the inhabitants of the outpost are reluctant to fight.
Zulu is a solidly constructed war drama that captures a fascinating moment in history. Fans of historical dramas, the minutiae of military life in the late 1800s, or war movies in general will want to give Zulu a shot. Viewers who are looking for either modern-style action or an in-depth story should approach with caution.
For a war drama about a desperate British military operation, this one during World War II, try A Bridge Too Far. For a modern war drama chronicling a pivotal British retreat in World War II, try Dunkirk. For a more personal story about a displaced missionary in Colonial Africa, try The African Queen. For a more elaborate application of the British military ethic to a tense situation, try The Bridge on the River Kwai.
[7.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058777/). I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for capably handled war drama.