Review: Zulu Dawn 4K UHD

Please listen to Dave’s fantastic interview with James Faulkner about Zulu Dawn…(and lot’s of other great stories he tells too: Dave)

Zulu, one of the quintessential British films of the 60s, was followed 15 years later by its historical Prequel – Zulu Dawn. Much like Zulu, it has a cast of British Actors in starring roles, and it tells the story of how the Zulu ended up attacking Rorke’s Drift in Africa, and why it happened. 

In the Cape Colony in January 1879, British Army officer Lord Chelmsford (Peter O’Toole) plots with diplomat Sir Henry Bartle Frere (John Mills) to annex the neighbouring Zulu Empire, which they perceive as a threat to the Cape Colony’s emerging industrial economy. Frere issues an ultimatum to the Zulu king, Cetshwayo, demanding that he dissolve the Zulu military. Chief Cetshwayo gathers his warriors and tells them to prepare for war, while Frere authorises Lord Chelmsford to command a British expeditionary force to invade the Zulu Empire.

What follows is, quite surprisingly, a look at just how privileged and terrible the British were. It’s not really a Gung Ho  – let’s fight the Zulu! sort of film, as it plays out the narrative very slowly, which is helped by a beautiful colourful picture quality with the red jackets of the British soldiers popping from the screen.

A very enjoyable Sunday afternoon film to watch with your dad.

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

·       The Scene That Never Was – The Eclipse At Isandlwana

·       Theatrical Trailer

DISC 3: BLU-RAY – U.S. THEATRICAL VERSION (98 mins)

·       The Symbol Of Sacrifice (1918) – The 1997 Reconstruction Of The Historical South African Film

·       Saviour Of The Symbol Of Sacrifice – Interview With Mayer Levy, producer of the restoration of The Symbol of Sacrifice

·       The History Of The Zulu Wars – Featurette With Zulu Rising Author Ian Knight

·       Recreating The War – Interview With Historical Advisor Midge Carter

·       A Visit To The Battlefield – Author Ian Knight Visits The Location Of The Battle Of Isandlwana

·       Outtakes

Released 21st September and available to pre-order.

Review by Tina from discs kindly supplied by Severin Films via Aim Publicity.