Zulu

Set during the 1879 Anglo Zulu War, Zulu follows a small Royal Engineers garrison in distant Natal as it faces a massive Zulu assault on Rorke's Drift. Lt John Chard, a steady, practical officer, must marshal limited resources to build defensible positions, while Lt Gonville Bromhead brings military zeal to the defense. Alongside them stand Rev Otto Witt and his wife Margareta, whose presence adds a human thread to the siege. A diverse mix of volunteers improvise barricades, signals, and fire lanes under relentless pressure. The drama hinges on duty versus pride, and the uneasy partnership between two officers who must reconcile styles to hold the line. Drums echo and gunfire roars as the outpost's defenders endure hours of battle.

Directed by Cy Endfield, Zulu hit theaters in 1964 with a screenplay by John Prebble. It adapts the narrative of the Battle of Rorke's Drift, pairing practical leadership with a sweeping wartime epic scope and a defining example of mid-century epics.

Zulu earned about 8 million dollars worldwide against a budget of 1.72 million, providing a solid financial return and reinforcing its status as a notable mid-1960s war blockbuster. It drew audiences with its intense siege sequence and strong performances worldwide.

The siege at Rorke's Drift became a benchmark for earnest, human scale war drama. The film foregrounds ordinary men under pressure, and the evolving dynamic between Chard and Bromhead helped launch Michael Caine as a major star. Its clear-eyed portrayal of duty shaped later siege narratives that still echo today.

Critics at the time praised its controlled storytelling, strong ensemble performances, and battlefield intensity, while the film also explores duty, leadership, and the costs of empire. The tension between colonial authority and local populations offers enduring questions about courage and ethics in war, remaining a touchstone for character-driven siege dramas.