Zulu

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 150 British soldiers, 30 of whom were sick and wounded patients in a field hospital, successfully held off a force of 4,000 Zulu warriors. The film is notable for showing the Zulu army as disciplined and governed by strategy. The screenplay was written by Cy Endfield and historical writer John Prebble, based on Prebble's 1958 Lilliput article "Slaughter in the Sun." The film stars Stanley Baker and introduces Michael Caine in his first major role. Zulu chief and future South African political leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi (1928–) played Zulu King Cetshwayo kaMpande (1826–1884), his great-grandfather.