4 Star

Death in Natal.

From a box-office flop to a triumphant 4K restoration for this icon 1979 war epic, the prequel to the classic Zulu. With an all-star cast, directed by Douglas Hickox (The Hound of the Baskervilles, Theatre Of Blood) who commands thousands of cast members in this epic nineteenth century war film. Now in 4K UHD this is even more stunning with the vistas of the Natal, and the Battle of Isandlwana. Now a cult classic this prequel deserves a place on your war film shelf. Bodies not medals.

South Africa circa 1879 British colonies are worried about the Zulu leader Cetshwayo (Simon Sabela, Zulu, Death Drums Along the River) and his thirty-thousand warriors. Even though Cetshwayo says that if the British will stay on their side of the Buffalo river the Zulu’s will stay on their side of the river.

But between Lord Chelmsford (Peter O’Toole, The Night Of The Generals, The Last Emperor)  and diplomat Sir Henry Bartle Frere (John Mills, Sky West and Crooked, Great Expectations) Sir Henry issues an ultimatum to the Zulu king, demanding that he dissolve the Zulu military, but he flat refuses, so the British declare that the Natal and Zulu nation are to be annexed. Lord Chelmsford is to command a British expeditionary force to invade the Zulu Empire.

To men who aren’t afraid to speak their minds.

The bottles of claret are on me!

Colonial pride drives them forward, even when Col. Durnford (Burt Lancaster, The Train, Birdman of Alcatraz) gives them a warning of the Zulu’s and their tactics. Lord Chelmsford wants a one off big battle to destroy the Zulu spear carrying warriors. Spears and hide shields don’t stand a chance against thousands of Martini-Henry rifles.

Why do men think of nothing but killing ?

There should be room for us all.

But the Zulu’s aren’t playing the British fighting style, instead of two armies facing each other, the Zulu’s send small bands to harry and confuse the lines of red tunics. Without knowing where Cetshwayo’s thirty-thousand warriors are they divide to find them, Bad move.

The final solution to the Zulu problem.

With this amazing vistas of Babanango, and the cast of thousands fighting in the blazing sun, in 4K UHD this is visually stunning, as well as the acting power present, this package is definitely one for your nineteenth-century war shelf.

Zulu Dawn is available on 4K UHD limited Edition from Severin

 

SPECIAL FEATURES

• EXCLUSIVE: 100-Page Collectors Book With New Articles By Ian Knight And Film Historian Simon Lewis
• EXCLUSIVE: 6 Collectors’ Art Cards
• EXCLUSIVE: Double-Sided Poster

DISC 1: 4K UHD – ORIGINAL THEATRICAL VERSION (118 mins)

• Audio Commentary With Anglo-Zulu War Historian Ian Knight And Film Historian Simon Lewis
• Theatrical Trailer

DISC 2: BLU-RAY – ORIGINAL THEATRICAL VERSION (118 mins)

• Audio Commentary With Anglo-Zulu War Historian Ian Knight And Film Historian Simon Lewis
• War Cry of the Zulu – The Making Of ZULU DAWN, A Feature-Length Documentary Narrated By Dai Bradley Featuring Producer Nate Kohn, Co-Producer & Actor James Faulkner And Many More
• Trailblazer: The Simon Sabela Story – A Documentary On The South African Actor/Director
• The Saga Of Bob’s Last Stands – Bob Hoskins’ Death Scene