ZULU (1964) C widescreen 135m dir: Cy Endfield

w/Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green, Ivor Emmanuel, Paul Daneman, Glynn Edwards, Neil McCarthy

From Variety's review of the film: "Joseph E. Levine makes an impressive debut in British film production with Zulu, a picture that allows ample scope for his flamboyant approach to showmanship.

"Based on a famous heroic exploit, when a handful of British soldiers withstood an onslaught by 4,000 Zulu warriors, the production is distinguished by its notable onscreen values, which are enhanced by top-quality lensing by Stephen Dade. It also has an intelligent screenplay [suggested by an article by Joseph Prebble and scripted by Prebble and the director] which avoids most of the obvious clichés. It keeps the traditional British stiff-upper-lip attitudes down to the barest minimum.

"The defense of the garrison at Rorke's Drift took place on January 22, 1879. At the time the garrison heard the news that 4,000 Zulu braves were on the way, reports had just come in that a far larger garrison had been wiped out, and there was no prospect of help from any other source.

"One of the more obvious clichés in this type of yarn is apt to be the malingerer who displays great heroism in a moment of crisis. There is such a situation in Zulu, but the cliché is avoided, largely because of the excellent performance by James Booth. Indeed, the high all-around standard of acting is one of the notable plus features. Stanley Baker, a solid and reliable performer, turns in a thoroughly convincing portrayal as the resolute Royal Engineers officer, with an effective contrasting study by Michael Caine as a supercilious lieutenant. Richard Burton contributes a brief and dignified narration."