Jeepster67

I recently acquired this film on DVD as it has always been a favorite of mine. The film is a faithfull version of history as the other reviewers have noted, and treats the Zulus themselves with due respect.

The DVD is something of a disappointment, as it appears to be the same film transfer as the earlier Laserdisk. Colors are enhanced but the focus is slightly blurred throughout, and reel change marks are visible, leading me to the conclusion that this disk was produced from a studio distribution print rather than the original negatives or interpositives. Still, if you've only seen the fullscreen version on broadcast TV, the DVD is worth it's price for the only available widescreen version of the film.

Truth to tell, you will be only momentarily troubled by the poor transfer, the story remains as engrossing as ever. 100-odd British Redcoats versus 4000 attacking Zulus, authentic in dialogue, costumes, and scenery (it was shot on location at Rourke's Drift in what is now called South Africa). The final two-thirds of the film are one long battle, and never has close combat been depicted better than in this epic film.

I must have unknowingly been in the test audience for the original version of this film at a local drive-in theater in 1970. I recently saw the current version on TV again, and was shocked at the mutilation of the original plot. The movie I remember was longer and the missing scenes and dialogue comprised a biting satire of race relations that still resonates in my memory today. The present version of the film has sadly had the best scenes and lines excised out, in the name of avoiding controversy in 1970.

We have come a long way since then. This film was far more entertaining in it's original form, and deserves re-release in a Special Edition or Director's cut DVD!