Zulu

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Zulu

Released Jun 17, 1964

2h 15m

History

Drama

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

91%

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25,000+ Ratings

In 1879, the Zulu nation hands colonial British forces a resounding defeat in battle. A nearby regiment of the British Army takes over a station run by a missionary (Jack Hawkins) and his daughter (Ulla Jacobsson) as a supply depot and hospital under the command of Lieutenant John Chard (Stanley Baker) and his subordinate Gonville Bromhead (Michael Caine). Unable to abandon their wounded soldiers even in dire circumstances, the regiment defend their station against the Zulu warriors.

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Critics Consensus

Zulu patiently establishes a cast of colorful characters and insurmountable stakes before unleashing its white-knuckle spectacle, delivering an unforgettable war epic in the bargain.

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Joe Clay

Times (UK)

Epic in scale, Cy Endfield’s stirring account of the Battle of Rorke’s Drift ... features bruisingly authentic battle sequences and Michael Caine, dodging spears, in one of his most memorable performances.

Jan 2, 2024

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

This may not be exact history, but it certainly makes an impression.

Jul 10, 2017

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Alex von Tunzelmann

Guardian

A brilliantly made dramatisation of Rorke's Drift, and it does a fine job of capturing the spirit for which the battle is remembered.

Rated: B+

Jul 10, 2017

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

The glory of the British Empire isn’t quite so glorious in this story of English military might in the name of conquest.

Nov 16, 2024

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Tom Cassidy

Common Sense Media

Now that it can be seen at home in high definition, the true spectacle of Stephen Dade's cinematography can be appreciated once more.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 3, 2023

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PJ Nabarro

Patrick Nabarro

Zulu stands the test of time by uncannily understanding itself as something of a chamber piece and by making atmosphere and suspense the centrepiece of its narrative rather than just the gratification of combat.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 19, 2022

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Blobbo X

Can't we all just get along? Apparently not, think Blobbo. Plus, is too effing long! (Sorry, Blobbo feeling cranky.) Never make through whole thing. Another reviewer post this comment~"Its failure to present any kind of historical context ill serves the indigenous African peoples whom Endfield presumes to honor." Sound about right.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/28/24

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Mark B

Gosh! Watch out for those spears, men! ZULU is a wonderful movie which fully captures the incredible, heroic deeds of a small garrison of fully paid-up and immensely brave members of the British Empire doing battle against what should have been impossible odds against 4000 Zulu warriors. But it's the British soldiers, resplendent to the last in their immaculate red tunics and white battle dress hats that are the REAL warriors here. Hopelessly outnumbered, the brilliant Michael Caine captivates throughout as the splendidly named Lt Gonville Bromherd, as he steers his tiny band of men to victory, despite the presence of missionary Jack Hawkins who does his best to try and scupper the whole thing by getting Caine's troops to surrender. Not a chance!! There are stellar performances from Stanley Baker, Nigel Green and James Booth. Luckily the irritating Ulla Jacobsen (Hawkins' missionary daughter) was carted off, along with Hawkins halfway through the film. For its age, ZULU still presses all the right buttons and makes this one of the greatest war movies of its time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/19/24

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Will G

One of the best ever, the story of the making of the film is very interesting too. Not 100% accurate but close.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/15/24

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Joe S

Michael Caine's first movie what's not to like!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/17/24

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Aender S

Good war movie in which I particularly like the Zulu dances and chants, and also the British Colour-Sergeant's dry humour.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/16/24

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Christopher M

Great movie for 1964. The launch of Michael Caine's career.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/20/24

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Charles De Latour

Director

Stanley Baker

Lieutenant John Chard R.E.

Jack Hawkins

Otto Witt

Ulla Jacobsson

Margareta Witt

Michael Caine

Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead

Nigel Green

Colour-Sergeant Bourne

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Synopsis

In 1879, the Zulu nation hands colonial British forces a resounding defeat in battle. A nearby regiment of the British Army takes over a station run by a missionary (Jack Hawkins) and his daughter (Ulla Jacobsson) as a supply depot and hospital under the command of Lieutenant John Chard (Stanley Baker) and his subordinate Gonville Bromhead (Michael Caine). Unable to abandon their wounded soldiers even in dire circumstances, the regiment defend their station against the Zulu warriors.

Director: Charles De Latour
Producer: Stanley Baker, Charles De Latour
Screenwriter: Charles De Latour, John Prebble, John Prebble, Charles De Latour
Distributor: Embassy Pictures
Production Co: Embassy Pictures, Diamond Films
Genre: History, Drama, War
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 17, 1964, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 8, 2017
Runtime: 2h 15m

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