Micheal Caine Blogathon: Zulu (1964)

*Excuse the date! As part of the Michael Caine Blogathon hosted by realweegiemidget reviews (click here for the site) I'm looking at one of the greatest action films ever made, ZULU*

After the main British army is massacred at Isandlwana, a small British force is left to defend the missionary station at Rorke's Drift...

When I was growing up, my father often worked away from home. He would only be home at the weekends. As a result he would tend to do jobs around the house the needed doing and go out one night with my mother. He was never a film fan really. Growing up we only ever went to the cinema twice. But when at home for longer periods, Christmas, Easter and such, there were some films he would watch, usually the holiday staples, the Bond films, Westerns, The Great Escape and of course Zulu.

I've written before about I wasn't really a film fan as a child. Film came much later to me, in my teens. But, during holdays, when stuck inside because of the weather, you found yourself watching TV. In those days in the UK there were only three channels (no really, go ask your parents!). However, the collision of my father watching a film, bad weather and the action on screen, I found my interest piqued...and my love of Zulu began.

Zulu is based on the battle of Rorke's Drift. It was a historic stand by approximately 150 British and colonial troops against approximately 3-4,000 Zulu warriors. The film does play a bit loose with the actual events, to a degree. It downplays the colonial troop aspect, focusing instead on the soldiers who fought, under the command of Lieutenants John Chard (from the Engineers) and Gonville Bromhead. It also caused a bit of controversy in its portrayal of one of the soldiers in particular, Private Hook. By all accounts he was a hero of the battle, but while he does get his heroic moment, in the film he's a layabout, lazy soldier, which caused offence to his family.

But a battle it has gone into legend, that of the heroic British making a stand against overwhelming odds. You can understand why the story would appeal to filmmakers.

In the film version, Chard is played by Stanley Baker and Bromhead by Micheal Caine. Both are very good indeed. According to the IMDB, Caine had been acting since 1946, mostly in TV, with a few film roles in there as well, but Zulu was the film that perhaps really launched him. It's not really a surprise. For Zulu is a film that as a child you love for the action. As you get older, you appreciate other aspects too.

The second half of the film is where the relentless action occurs. Director Cy Endfield really ratches up the tension as the Zulu's launch arttach after attack on the soldiers. It is superbly shot and staged, exciting to watch and will leave you breathless.

But as I said, as you get older, you notice other things, especially in the first half. Over the years, some critics have branded the film anti-imperialist or a racist one. On the latter claim. I would disagree strongly. At no time in the film does it depict the Zulu's as anything other than a brave warrior people. As for the anti-imperialist claim. I don't think it's that either. Had the film, much like 1979's prequel Zulu Dawn (that deals with the events leading up to the battle at Isandlwana), been as much about the soldiers as well as the politicians, I may have seen their point. However, Zulu is always about the soldiers. In one of the most telling exchanges, when asked, why us, Colour Sergeant Bourne (superbly played by Nigel Green) replies, 'Because we're here lad. Nobody else. Just us.' The script, written by John Prebble and Endfield himself is brilliant.

The cast were terrific. As well as Caine, Baker and Green, there is Jack Hawkins  as a preacher, Ulla Jacobson as his daughter (although both their roles are small), James Booth as Hook and Patrick Magee as an army surgeon. The rest of the cast are good too. As for the Zulu's they were from tribes in the area and were persuaded to take part, after being showing some silent films to show what films were. They were also paid, allegedly, with the cattle that were used in the film.

It has a superb score from John Barry and has narration from Richard Burton at the beginning and end. It's a well designed and produced film. There really is little here to dislike.

When asked what is the best film I've ever seen is, I answer Akira Kurosawa's Ran. It is. For me, there is no doubt in that. But when I'm asked for what my favourite film is, the answer will always be Zulu. I loved it as a child. I've loved it as I've gotten older.

And will forever be thankful to my father for introducing me to this film.