The real ACR

[Spud]

I did not know that. Cool!

 

[Andrew Boulton]

They did use quite a lot of artistic licence when casting the movie.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Hook's family almost sued, but then everyone decided it was a dam' fine movie. For 19th Century colonial warfare movies it ranks just above "Rio Grand" and "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon."

 

[Uncle Bob]

Here'sa thread at "Tanknet" that will tell you more about "Zulu" than you ever wanted to know...
http://63.99.108.76/forums/index.php?showtopic=8694

posted by Adam Snook, g-g-grandson of Pvt John Williams, VC
...Addendorf, the grizzeled Boer veteran and confident of Chard probably wasn't even there. He was later court martialed and was only saved by Chard's slightly questionable account of the battle putting him there. Bromhead was actually tall, dark, bearded and athletic and was also prematurely deaf. They never sang "Men of Harlech", being at the time part of the 2nd battalion 24th foot (the 2nd Warikshire rgiement). Dalton ("I say somebody pop that chap there") was an ex-sergeant who had among other things been on a field fortification course and is credited by many of organising the defense. Nearly all of the british casualties were caused by gunfire from the Oskarberg not by assegis. The Martini Henry + bayonet had a fairly substantial reach advantage over the short stabbing assegi, and the defenders had a wall of mealie bags to stand behind. The zulus did not attack on the second day, but were seen on the skyline retreating. The portrayal of Hook is rather unfair. He was actually a serving member of B company, not a patient as well as beeing a teatotaler. Possibly the drunken image of him comes from an ill judged comment after the battle ("Now after THAT I'll take a drink").

 

[jappel]

The questionable historical accuracy aside, Zulu still remains a great demonstration of the value of training, discipline and leadership in tight situations. The scene where Chard & Bourne organize the two-rank "flying platoon" and repel the Zulu attack with a step-and-volley counterattack is classic.

And even if they never sang "Men of Harlech" during the final engagement, it still is a great scene.

John

 

[Andrew Boulton]

Definitely.