Zulu (1964): the Trevor Interview

[Trevor]

The classic African war film is celebrating its' 60th birthday next year and a filmmaker contacted me regarding what we had in our archive regarding this SA made film and asked about the possibility of an interview with me.

I must have impressed him with some knowledge or something so if my bosses approve, I am going to be interviewed later in the year.

[Rev. Powell]

Congrats man! 

[Newt]

    Excellent!

[Alex]

Nice one mate. That is one of my favourites.

[Trevor]

Thanks guys, we'll see how it goes. 

[Trevor]

Seems like it is still on as I heard from the director this morning. 

[Alex]

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the movie.

[Trevor]

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the movie.

In short, very historically inaccurate - especially with the depiction of Private Henry Hook who was actually a model soldier rather than the malingerer James Booth portrayed him as - but a rousing adventure nonetheless. The stories which are told about the film's pre-production are really incredible.

I wrote a short review of it for my book:

The 1879 Battle of Rorke’s Drift was, to put it mildly, a red-letter day in the annals of British military history, as one hundred soldiers defended the tiny mission station of Rorke’s Drift against the marauding Zulu armies of King Cetshwayo, who had just routed the armies of Lord Chelmsford at the Battle of Isandhlwana. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded, the highest given out at any single conflict before or since that day. A truly stunning piece of work, this is another of the all-time classics – historical inaccuracies aside - with beautiful cinematography (courtesy Stephen Dade, B.S.C.) a memorable, lively score by John Barry, narration by Richard Burton and superb acting from an ensemble cast, including a young Zulu lad named Mangosuthu Buthelezi, playing his great-grandfather and having a ball doing it. With Sir Stanley Baker, Sir Michael Caine (his first starring role), Gert van den Bergh, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, Nigel Green and James Booth as the malingering Private Henry Hook.

[Alex]

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the movie.

In short, very historically inaccurate - especially with the depiction of Private Henry Hook who was actually a model soldier rather than the malingerer James Booth portrayed him as - but a rousing adventure nonetheless. The stories which are told about the film's pre-production are really incredible.

I wrote a short review of it for my book:

The 1879 Battle of Rorke’s Drift was, to put it mildly, a red-letter day in the annals of British military history, as one hundred soldiers defended the tiny mission station of Rorke’s Drift against the marauding Zulu armies of King Cetshwayo, who had just routed the armies of Lord Chelmsford at the Battle of Isandhlwana. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded, the highest given out at any single conflict before or since that day. A truly stunning piece of work, this is another of the all-time classics – historical inaccuracies aside - with beautiful cinematography (courtesy Stephen Dade, B.S.C.) a memorable, lively score by John Barry, narration by Richard Burton and superb acting from an ensemble cast, including a young Zulu lad named Mangosuthu Buthelezi, playing his great-grandfather and having a ball doing it. With Sir Stanley Baker, Sir Michael Caine (his first starring role), Gert van den Bergh, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, Nigel Green and James Booth as the malingering Private Henry Hook.

If I recall a story I heard correctly, the descendants of Private Hook sued the production for his depiction. I very rarely watch war films, but this is one of my favourites, if not my number one favourite war movie.

[Trevor]

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the movie.

In short, very historically inaccurate - especially with the depiction of Private Henry Hook who was actually a model soldier rather than the malingerer James Booth portrayed him as - but a rousing adventure nonetheless. The stories which are told about the film's pre-production are really incredible.

I wrote a short review of it for my book:

The 1879 Battle of Rorke’s Drift was, to put it mildly, a red-letter day in the annals of British military history, as one hundred soldiers defended the tiny mission station of Rorke’s Drift against the marauding Zulu armies of King Cetshwayo, who had just routed the armies of Lord Chelmsford at the Battle of Isandhlwana. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded, the highest given out at any single conflict before or since that day. A truly stunning piece of work, this is another of the all-time classics – historical inaccuracies aside - with beautiful cinematography (courtesy Stephen Dade, B.S.C.) a memorable, lively score by John Barry, narration by Richard Burton and superb acting from an ensemble cast, including a young Zulu lad named Mangosuthu Buthelezi, playing his great-grandfather and having a ball doing it. With Sir Stanley Baker, Sir Michael Caine (his first starring role), Gert van den Bergh, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, Nigel Green and James Booth as the malingering Private Henry Hook.

If I recall a story I heard correctly, the descendants of Private Hook sued the production for his depiction. I very rarely watch war films, but this is one of my favourites, if not my number one favourite war movie.

The director told me that Private Hook's family did in fact sue, they also were invited to the premiere and walked out. 

I've often wondered what you would think of the SA war film - a more accurate account of another African conflict - Shangani Patrol, which was directed by my friend and mentor David Millin ASC?

[Alex]

This one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T5pcpzY6mE?

If it is, I'll give it a watch.

[Trevor]

This one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T5pcpzY6mE?

If it is, I'll give it a watch.

That's it: part of my birth country's history 🙂

[Alex]

Watched it last night and found it enjoyable, although the sky in the opening scene threw me a bit. I wonder what the true story behind the gold is though? The film definitely pointed the finger at the two men as being guilty of taking it and possibly deserting, while accounts from soldiers in the main column regarded them as heroes who managed to safely lead them back and avoid every ambush and trap on the route.

[Trevor]

Watched it last night and found it enjoyable, although the sky in the opening scene threw me a bit. I wonder what the true story behind the gold is though? The film definitely pointed the finger at the two men as being guilty of taking it and possibly deserting, while accounts from soldiers in the main column regarded them as heroes who managed to safely lead them back and avoid every ambush and trap on the route.

Glad you liked it: the sky in the beginning is a true African sunset 

I think after the disaster of Leander Starr Jameson's part in the possible capture of King Lobengula left the British with egg on their faces and they probably chose to focus on the big picture, other than two soldiers who had stolen or been given some gold.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shangani_Patrol

[bob]

I have not seen Zulu --- it's on a very long list of things I want to see

in fact, now that I think it, the only movies I've seen a young Michael Caine in are Dressed to Kill and Sleuth