Time to site down with a decent beer, and a comfortable arm chair, for a re-watch I think..!
Despite the source (
), I thought the following was a remarkably well balanced view of the film...http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2532420/A-salute-Zulu-A-spell-binding-story-raw-courage-NO-gore-NO-political-correctness-NO-swaggering-Yanks-great-British-war-film-50th-anniversary.html
Excellent film - back in the days when it was on VHS tape, my No. 3 Grown-Up Son watched it so often that he knew all the Zulu songs, and used to sing along. Now I think about it, he must have been 7 or 8 at the time, and we never thought twice about him watching it - nowadays we'd have been worried in case being confronted by all that death and inter-racial violence might affect him in some way.
ReplyDeleteMind you, he did grow up to be a serial killer.
Cheers - Happy New Year - Tony
MSFoy - I hear through the grapevine, that with the continued beneficial effects of the basket weaving classes he should be out n 15 years... :o) W.r.t the film, couldn't agree more...
DeleteAwesome movie!!
ReplyDeleteRodger - damn right
DeleteHas any other single film generated - and sustained - such interest in a specific (and, to be honest, relatively obscure) period in history? The wealth of studies, memoirs, figures, tours (I've been there twice!) would otherwise seem completely out of proportion? Discuss!
ReplyDeleteJeremy
Jeremy - you make a fine point - it must have financed almost the entire career of Ian Knight!
DeleteThanks for that reminder. It's one of my fave films and as I'll be working at home on the 22nd I may just have some 'background viewing' :)
ReplyDeleteAndy Mc - I'm thinking some kind of Bloggeratti virtual event is on the cards for the 22nd!
DeleteI think that's a great idea, I will have to join you
ReplyDeleteThanks
Ian
Ian - that's three of us then.... :o)
DeleteGreat article, thanks for finding it. Now that I finally have my DVD player working again, I will have to view the film again soon. I would bet that Zulu inspired more people to enter the Wargame hobby than any other 5 films combined.
ReplyDeleteDer Alte - agreed... I'm having trouble trying to think of a war film with similar impact... "Battle of Britain" I think, "Waterloo" possibly...
Delete50 years!! I was taken to see it on release by my Aunt Nellie and Uncle Bill at Peckham Odeon. They also bought me my first ever box of Airfix soldiers - US marines. I
ReplyDeleteI understand that the Regiment still hold an anniversary dinner every year, followed by a toast and a viewing of the movie in the Officers Mess.
Great movie :-)
Lee - Peckham Odeon brings up mental images... join us for a re-watch on the 22nd! :o)
DeleteI'll do that Steve - and join you in a beer or two :-)
DeleteQuality is never diminished by time and only gains value. A war film that has withstood the ravages of time without too many issues
ReplyDeleteGrimsby - agreed...
DeleteWhat's really hard to believe is that I didn't get a chance to see it till the mid 90's when a friend loaned me a video tape.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you and yours in this new year.
Ross
Ross Mc. = many thanks, and the same to you and yours...
DeleteIts always been a classic, and I was intrigued to see how part of the zulu chant influenced the barbarian chants at the start of Gladiator...
ReplyDeleteScott - I never realised the crossover.. I'll hoik out my copy this weekend and re-watch.... that first 20minutes of Gladiator in my opinion is right up there with some of the best film I've seen
DeleteI saw it over Christmas, as I usually do. Its still a great film :)
ReplyDeleteMoif - it's usually "The Great Escape" we see at Christmas! :o)
DeleteWe did too when I was a child growing up in the UK. My Dad was a big fan of the Steve McQueen character. I can remember him laughing about being sent to the 'cooler'. I'll have to find it. I haven't seen it for years.
ReplyDeleteMoif - good choice!
DeleteA very good movie indeed.
ReplyDeleteIt was the one that got me interested in the British colonial wars in the first place ;)
Sebastien G - select beer carefully, and reserve space on sofa.. you have just over 15 days.... :o)
DeleteI just watched it again the other night for the first time in ages. One of my all time favourite films. Seeing it again has me all worked up about gaming it. Perhaps 1/72nd plastics.
ReplyDeleteWoolshedwargamer - remember the Airfix Tarzan set that provided the basis for so many of those plastic Zulu armies back in the day?? :o)
DeleteSteve - sorted!
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten TGE was so long
Moif - it is! Next stop "Battle of Britain" or perhaps "A Bridge too Far"?
Delete