Zulu Dawn

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Zulu Dawn is a 1979 book and motion picture about the Battle of Isandlwana between British and Zulu military units in 1879 in South Africa. The film is available on tape or DVD, and frequently appears on television.

The book was written by Cy Endfield who co-wrote the screenplay with Anthony Story. The film was directed by Douglas Hickox, with music scored by Elmer Bernstein.

1 Primary cast
2 Plot
3 External links
4 Related titles

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Primary cast

Burt Lancaster : Colonel Durnford
Simon Ward : Lt. William Vereker
Denholm Elliott : Colonel Pulleine
Peter Vaughan : QSM Bloomfield
James Faulkner : Lt. Melvill
Christopher Cazenove : Lt. Coghill
Bob Hoskins : C.S.M. Williams
Peter O'Toole : Lord Chelmsford
John Mills : Sir Henry Bartle Frere

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Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The film portrays one of Britain's worst military disasters, being the Battle of Isandlwana. At the beginning Sir Henry Frere dispatches an impossible ultimatum to King Cetshwayo in order for a war to be stirred up with the Zulu nation. As expected Cetshwayo does not submit, and war is promptly declared. After a short skirmish at the river crossing near Rorke's Drift, the British Army splits in two, one under Lord Chelmsford, the second under Colonel Pulleine. Pulleine's section camps at Isandlwana, and is later attacked by the Zulu force. As in the actual battle, the British are almost completely wiped out by Cetshwayo and his army of spearmen.

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