Barnes & Noble

This 1979 prequel to the classic adventure film Zulu (1964) covers similar ground, lacking the appeal of the earlier film only in that it doesn’t devote as much footage to character development. It deals with one of England’s most crippling defeats in Africa: the 1879 Battle of Isandhlwana, in which 1,500 British soldiers were wiped out by a Zulu force that outnumbered the Redcoats 16 to 1. The script by Cy Endfield (who wrote Zulu as well) lays out with commendable accuracy the failures in diplomacy that led up to this bloody encounter; it is shown time and again that the British command was obstinate and condescending in dealing with the Zulu nation. The film’s production values are beyond reproach: Beautiful location cinematography and elaborately mounted action sequences go a long way toward minimizing the relative dearth of characterization. The acting is first-rate too, with old pros Burt Lancaster, Peter O’Toole, and John Mills heading a distinguished cast. Zulu Dawn lacks the spark that separates a truly classic movie from the merely entertaining ones, but we don’t mean to minimize its charms. Lovers of high adventure and rip-roaring action will be delighted to get this film, and its DVD release was long overdue. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

This film depicts the events prior to the devastating conflict that occurred in 1879 when British soldiers were held siege by thousands of Zulu warriors. Fifteen hundred soldiers were killed in the epic battle. This film portrays the tensions existing between the tribal factions and the British invaders. Iotis Erlewine

Product Details

• UPC: 844628010184
• Source: TANGO ENTERTAINMENT
• Region Code: 1
• Time: 1:53:00
• Sales Rank: 4,677

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