Zulu

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Zulu

1964

2h 15m

History

Drama

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

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

The Times (UK)

01/02/2024

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.

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

07/10/2017

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

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Alex von Tunzelmann

Guardian

07/10/2017

B+

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

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

11/16/2024

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

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Tom Cassidy

Common Sense Media

01/03/2023

5/5

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

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PJ Nabarro

Patrick Nabarro

02/19/2022

3/5

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.

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Nicholas t

@nicktalbert2025 11h

The movie slower but not fast enough

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Austen H

@tomatotom Jun 20

Rotten Tomatoes automatic community guideline detector is malfunctioning, and seems to think that my positive review of this movie goes against their community guidelines. Reviewing all their guidelines multiple times, and finding that I didn’t break any of them, is making me regret making an account. However, this movie is fantastic. It meant a lot to me a a child, as this was one of the first “war movies,” and it continues to fascinate me to this day!

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Richard T

May 18

Being that my Uncle was a Survivor of Rourkes Drift. And this is Sir Michael Cain First Film. This adaptation is Super close to what Actually Happened. From the Stories my Uncle told us when we were children. Mind you their is a Lot left out. And rightly So. If the movie was to be repaid today, And Mel Gibson was to produce it. You might get a true and accurate Account of what happened and who was there. The Records of the survivors is kept in Australia. And the complete record is in England which should have the number of boys missing from the Australian list. May they Who sacrifice so much for us Rest in peace. Amen

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Brad S

Apr 27

An absolutely terrible movie. Acting, special effects were laughable. Visually a stunning movie. How anyone gave this good reviews is beyond me.

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J B

Mar 29

Big screen entertainment at its best with a great ensemble cast that somehow manages to highlight individuals amongst a wonderfully stirring story - a film that manages to reflect the bravery of both sides. I’d love to see this on the big screen …

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Blobbo X

@Blobbo 12/28/2024

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.

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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

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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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