Zulu (1964)

After a rousing victory in defeating British forces in Isandlwana in January 1879, the Zulu tribes turns its attention to the British hospital and supply dump at Rorke's Drift in Natal, South Africa. An absolutely thrilling adventure film dealing with courage under fire, the film is a well balanced entry in the "colonial imperialists vs. the native populace" genre. The natives are not demonized as vicious savages and the British aren't portrayed as noble whites who know better than their black brothers. Indeed, the Caucasians are quite flawed whether it's the drunken missionary of Jack Hawkins, the thief turned goldbricking soldier of James Booth or the supercilious Lieutenant of Michael Caine (in his star making role). The film is riddled with historical inaccuracies but none that deter from the film's essential thematic elements. Directed by Cy Endfield and beautifully shot in Super Technirama by Stephen Dade (KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE) with a terrific score by John Barry. The on screen narration is by Richard Burton. With Stanley Baker (who also produced), Ulla Jacobsson (SMILES OF A SUMMER NIGHT), Nigel Green, Patrick Magee and Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi playing his own great grandfather.