Zulu (1964)

Zulu Theatrical Release Poster Country United Kingdom Directed by Cy Endfield Release Date 1964 Language English Swahili Studio Diamond Films Distributor Paramount Pictures Main Cast Character Actor Lieutenant John Chard Stanley Baker Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead Michael Caine Pvt. Henry Hook James Booth Reverend Otto Witt Jack Hawkins

Zulu is a 1964 British epic war film depicting the Battle of Rorke's Drift between the British Army and the Zulus in January 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War. It shows how a meager force of 150 British soldiers from the 24th Regiment of Foot successfully defended a missionary station from a force of 4,000 Zulu warriors, even though 30 of them were sick and wounded. The film received praise for depicting both British and Zulu combatants in a non-degrading manner. But it has some historical inaccuracies like the soldiers at Rorke's Drift being mostly Welsh, when it in-fact it was a mixture of different British ethnicities.

The following weapons were used in the film Zulu:

Revolvers

Webley Mark VI .455 Revolver

The Webley Mk VI is used by the British officers in the film in place of the Adams Mk.III revolver actually used in the real battle by Bromhead or the Webley RIC carried by Chard (now on display at the Imperial War Museum) due to lack of any functional models existing for use in the film. Lt. Bromhead (Michael Caine) and Lt. Chard (Stanley Baker) are seen loading one before the battle starts. Chard (Stanley Baker) fires it at the Zulus in the mountains at long range (which wouldn't be very smart). He later stops using this Webley and uses a Martini-Henry until the Lance Corporal returns it to him, which he uses for the rest of the film. Bromhead (Michael Caine) only uses his Webley when necessary, such as when using it to shoot several Zulus attacking the hospital after running out of bullets for his Martini-Henry.

Webley Mk VI .455 Webley

Lt. Chard (Stanley Baker) with Webley Mk VI.

Lt. Chard reloading his Webley. A good closeup of the gun and bullets used.

Lt. Chard taking cover behind an upturned wagon.

Lt. Bromhead (Michael Caine) fires his Webley.

Lt. Bromhead shouting out orders while gripping his Webley.

Rifles

Martini-Henry .577-450

The Martini-Henry rifles with fixed bayonets are the main armament of the British soldiers throughout the film. The Zulus sometimes use them as well, and dozens of Zulu "marksmen" in the hills fire down on the British (the Zulus aren't very good shots, and one British soldier is wounded and two others are killed). This rifle was adopted by Great Britain in 1871 and served in various configurations for over 30 years.

Martini Henry Mk.II

British soldiers open fire with Martini-Henry Rifles.

Private Thomas (Neil McCarthy) on the right.

Lt. Bromhead clutching a Martini-Henry.

British soldiers fire by rank at waves of charging Zulu.

Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne with his bayonet at the ready. He kills three Zulu in hand-to-hand combat.

"Men of Harlech, stop your dreaming. Can't you see their spear points gleaming?"

A Zulu gestures with his rifle as a signal to his comrades.

Martini-Henry Carbine

The Martini-Henry Carbine is seen used by a Zulu warrior.

The warrior with his carbine.

Martini-Enfield

.303 calibre Martini-Henry conversion used in place of Martini-Henry's in several shots.

Trade Pattern Martini-Enfield

Welsh Soldier with Martini-Enfield - note the handguard.

Ejecting a spent casing.

Lee-Enfield Mk.I CLLE .303

The Lee-Enfield Mk.I CLLE (Charger Loading Lee Enfield) is rifle used in the latter parts of the film in place of the more historically accurate Martini-Henry rifle due to either running out of .455 blanks, or lack of sufficient Martini Henry rifles.

Lee-Enfield Mk.I CLLE .303 British. It is an original Lee-Enfield Mk.I updated to take stripper clips. Note the bridge over the receiver level with the rear of the magazine which contains a charging clip guide.

British soldiers firing by rank.

The soldiers let loose with a volley, the fourth soldier from the front is seen with a Lee-Enfield as the others use their Martini-Henry rifles.

Almost every standing soldier uses the Lee-Enfield. The very distinct Lee-Enfield magazine has been removed from the rifles as to further the illusion they are Martini-Henry's.

A better view of the Lee Enfield carried by the soldier right next to Lt. Chard. The magazine has been removed.

Artillery

9 Pdr RML

Several British 9 pounder Rifled Muzzle Loaders are seen in the aftermath of the Battle of Isandlwana, which takes place before Rorke's Drift.

Two dead British soldiers slumped over their artillery piece, as Zulu warriors approach to loot the battlefield.

See Also

• Zulu Dawn