Product description

Zulu (2 Disc Special Edition) [1964] [DVD]

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Average customer rating: 4.5

Binding : DVD
EAN : 5014437917430
Label : Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer : Paramount Home Entertainment
Publisher : Paramount Home Entertainment
Release date : 2007-11-05
Title : Zulu (2 Disc Special Edition) [1964] [DVD]
Actor : Array
Audience rating : Parental Guidance
Format : Array
Languages : Array
Number of items : 2
Original release date : 1964-01-01
Region code : 2
Running time : 133
Studio : Paramount Home Entertainment
Theatrical releaseDate : 1964

Customer reviews

review by: Dave Horn date: 2009-06-13 rating:

One of the best action films ever made
This has to rate as one of the best battle epics ever. As everyone probably knows, the basic story is one of the battle of Rorke's Drift on 22-23/1/1879 where 140 British soldiers and officers plus 14 natives defended the outpost against some 4000 Zulu warriors. br / br /The film belies that fact that even at the time in the early 1960s it was low-budget (cut down to under $2 million from an original budget of $2.6 million). br / br /The cinematography and locations are beautiful, as is the colour, in typical early 60s style with the British red uniforms and white pith helmets and webbing absolutely glowing. br / br /A plethora of contemporary actors all give sterling performances, including Jack Hawkins, Stanley Baker, James Booth, Nigel Green, Patrick Magee and a young Michael Caine (who the film company wanted sacked and replaced with Terry Stamp), whilst Richard Burton reads the dispatches. br / br /Made with between only 240 and 500 (depending who you believe) Zulu extras and saving money by having the internal shots filmed in the studio in London (hence no expenses to send some of the actors out to Africa) and the soundtrack with an orchestra in a masonic hall on Bayswater Road, it's amazing that the film ever got made at all, never mind that it was so good. It was also shot in the daytime using artistic license, as in fact most of the real action took place at night. br / br /Apparently the African Government wouldn't let the Zulus be paid the going rate so Baker (star and co-producer) gave them 40 head of cattle (the ones seen in the film presumably) and the buildings, which were very well made and turned into a school and hospital. br / br /I do have some criticisms. Firstly, it's a crime that the stereo soundtrack was not given a 5.1 remix and secondly the package is somewhat light on the extras front. So it's 5* for film and picture, 3* for sound and extras. br /

review by: date: 2009-01-29 rating:

Classic
While the film bears little resemblance to the historic events on which it is based, it is an absolute classic and well worth watching.

review by: Underground man date: 2008-11-28 rating:

A tribute to the brave
The defence of the mission station at Rorkes Drift, Natal in 1879 not only softened the blow of the much larger defeat at Isandhlwana on the british public at the time, but also provided the basis of what is probably the best war film ever made. As with all films based on factual stories a certain ammount of poetic licence has been taken, numbers are about right 120 against 4000, and most of the names are correct, though not necessarily their charactor, but this all helps to make a memorable film. br / br /Opening with scenes from the battleground at the ill fated clash at Isandhlwana, news filters through first to the camp of king Cetshwayo, then to the drift. This leads to scenes which identify the main charactors while the garrison make ready for the impending zulu attack, with tension constantly building up among the defenders. br / br /Unlike some films this doesn't take up too much of the film and its not long before the drift is surrounded and under attack. The battlescenes are well choreographed and shot, not too gory, but in their own way show how heroic the defence was, without the histrionics associated with Hollywood productions. br / br /This was I believe Michael Caine's first starring role, and along with Stanley Baker and Jack Hawkins, and a good support cast the acting is first class. br / br /For many years this has been staple christmas tv fare, but the top drawer quality (audio and visual) of this release makes it a year round joy to watch.

review by: Alan date: 2008-08-03 rating:

Truly Spectacular Movie
This movie in my opinion is one of the best that was ever made.The movie enjoyed splendid location,superb actors and a great sountrack from John Barry.As to accuracy its not bad at all and should give you excellent entertainment value.The battle scenes in the film are superb and really well done and for a movie of this age has stood the test of time,I feel it was also good that Cy Enfieild tried to portray both sides of the story and thus made it more interesting to digest.Ive been to Rorkes Drift on a few occassions and its a great place to vist and get the feel of what really happened and take it all in,you also get a smashing cup of tea and a scone at the little restaurant.Back to the movie if you want to watch a brilliant epic movie that will keep you viewed to your TV then you need to get Zulu for your DVD collection.A true classic amongst classics,you will love this movie,I would also suggest get yourself a copy of Zulu Dawn while not as good as Zulu its still an excellent movie with great land scapes,quality acting and plenty of action and a must for your DVD collection,highly recommended.Hope my review is of help to you.

review by: date: 2008-04-13 rating:

Assegais at the ready!
This is one of the greatest period war films ever made! OK - so it takes liberties with historical accuracy. It implies that the war is caused by a Zulu invasion of Natal rather than a British invasion of Zululand and there are emotions expressed by Bromhead and Chard after the battle which probably would not have come from a Victorian army officer. Also some inaccuracies with the portrayal: the Jack Hawkins character wasn't there, C/Sgt Bourne wasa young man of 26 (he survived until 1946), Pt.Hook was a br /teetotaller and lay preacher, Bromhead was deaf and both he and Chard were heavily bearded. Rorke's Drift is a lot more defensible a position when you see it than it appears in the film - especially as n'Dubalamanzi's Impi was made up of mature warriors in their late 40s and early 50s - some of whom had not eaten for several days. They had not been at Isandhlwana and their firearms were old Enfield rifles or smoothbore muskets. The cork helmets should have been buff-coloured (stained with tea for active service) and the first volleys were delivered at 400 yards (optimum range for the Martini-Henry) rather than the 100 yards as in the film. Actually in one sequence the Brits are using long Lee-Enfield bolt action rifles with the magazines removed and shot from the left hand side to conceal the bolt handles (though you can see the cocking-pieces going forward if you care to look). br /Yet it is a measure of the quality of the film that it rises above these inaccuracies to present a superb interpretation of the event with well-drawn characterisation and capturing the drama and desperate endeavour and honouring the courage of both sides. br /It also deserves recognition for making a star of Michael Caine! br /I've been a fan of this film ever since I first saw it on the big screen in 1964. I've seen it so many times that I can more or less recite the dialogue - yet whenever it's shown on TV I can't resist switching over to watch a scene or two - kinky or what? Heaven preserve us from any remake!

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