ZULU 1964, Classic British war film set in the defence of the small British outpost at Rorke's Drift.
I am revisiting the movie following a drunken discussion over a glass of a fine chianti (actually I wasn't drunk I was driving, and there was no Chianti, but it does sounds better for its cinematic reference)
The consensus was that films are not made like this anymore (Dr Zhivago, Laurence of Arabia and Zulu were mentioned amongst many others). Films in which are epic in time and vast in both visuals and historical significance.
With that thought I mind I re watched Zulu, I had last watched this film maybe 10 to 15 years ago, probably on the insistence of a group of brothers (a band of brothers if you like) who lived and breathe every classic war film of their childhood, clearly being a staple of their collective upbringings.
Zulu was a classic, from the opening scenes of terror from the expected massacre and defiance in the face of the Zulu hordes and the heart stopping moments which does set the hairs on your neck tingle when the brave rag bag bunch of military reprobates sing " Men of Harlech" when it is sung in full voice by the Welsh choir of soldiers before they face their Waterloo (see what I did there)
Does it still live up to its classic status, yes it does. Looking back with the eyes of a seasoned cinema goer of 61 years old, the moments of inspiration still strike a chord. The acting is first rate, Caine, Baker, and Hawkins being the principle leads deserving all the plaudits. The bravery pictured can't be beaten just like the British troops - the B Company of the 24th Regiment of Foot, South Wales Borderers (I think that's correct?).
I don't know if its noted but there is little to no revelry or jingoism on the part of the film makers, it is just a mutual respect from all the respective warriors British and Zulu's over their fallen comrades.
If I was to give any negative feedback, I would say that the realism of some of the close ups in the battle scenes leave a lot to be desired, compare the gut-wrenching battles in Gladiators against Zulu's blood red poster paint none piercing spears and swords and you get my point, or not in the case of the Zulu's spears.
For me as always is the case, the film score, is the key to any great film, being good bad or indifferent. The quality of John Barry's film score, from the theme to the foot stomping crescendo of the Zulu warriors on the eve of the battle, to Richard Burton's roll call of the Victoria Cross winners are all awe inspiring and is rightly perceived (by me anyway) as one of the great soundtracks of all time.
On a positive note, I'm looking forward to the latest adaption of the movie, in which battles are CGI'd which is a good thing. But the less than accurate trend of creating a film to reflect the vogue of everything being PC is a little galling. I can't actually see Lieutenant Bromhead played by a paraplegic transitioning gender neutral actor or the multi ethnic mix of Zulu's and the British will make the film lose its edge of authenticity.
Zulu still stands a classic 9/10.
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