Zulu Dawn (1979/Severin Blu-ray
/ DVD Combo)
Picture: B-/C+ Sound: B/C+ Extras: B+ Movie: B
Released fifteen years after the Technirama British epic Zulu, Douglas Hickox’s Zulu Dawn (1979) acts as a prequel to
the earlier film, and details the battle of Isandlwana. Starring Burt Lancaster (Col. Durnford),
Simon Ward (Lt. Vereker), and Peter O’Toole (Lord Chelmsford), this film was
released to coincide with the 100 year anniversary of one of the most infamous
defeats in British military history. The
action occurs in 1879 in the Natal province of southern Africa, in what is now
South Africa. While holding power in the
province, the British enrage the local Zulu population in a dispute over land
rights. Roused to a fury that requires
action, Zulu war chief Cetshwayo (Simon Sabela) assembles a warhost the like of
which no British soldier has ever seen.
Vain and prideful, Mr. O’Toole’s Lord Chelmsford moves a small, but
well equipped, expeditionary force of British infantry, cavalry, and native
levies into the disputed regions to roust the unruly natives from their lands
and teach them a lesson. Cetshwayo and
his Zule warriors employ clever tactics and takes advantage of the British
sense of invulnerability to inflict devastating consequences on their colonial
overlords. While often confused, Zulu Dawn’s themes of struggle in the face of oppression and the terrible
price of pride contrast sharply with the desperate battle fought by Michael
Caine and co. in the earlier film, Zulu. While the plight of the native Zulu under
British rule is not ignored in the earlier film, it becomes more of central
theme in Zulu Dawn.
The British (colonial occupiers) get their comeuppance as the action
of this film plays out, and the horrifying cost of war, conquest, and
occupation become clear by the time the tears roll down Mr. O’Toole’s
well-wrought cheeks in the final scene.
Nicely restored, sound and picture perform adequately on this 2-disc
set, but some of the flaws in the picture will actually become more apparent
when watching the Blu-ray version. This
set comes loaded with plenty of extras.
British historian Ian Knight brings us "The History of the Zulu
Wars," confirming the historical accuracy of the film and providing vital
additional information on the period and its politics, and then also offers
"A Visit to the Battlefield," an on the ground look at the terrain
and topography of Isandlwana. "Recreating the War" features twenty
minutes of discussion and information from historical and military consultant
Midge Carter, the person principally responsible for making the film feel as
real as it does.
While not a perfect film, and perhaps not as good as the earlier Zulu, Zulu Dawn provides epic
entertainment, historical accuracy, painstakingly recreated battles featuring
thousands of real extras, and moving performances from stars and solid
character actors. Fans of military history
and action should certainly add this gem to their collections!
- Scott Pyle
