Zulu | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

97% Tomatometer 29 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings

In 1879, the Zulu nation hands colonial British forces a resounding defeat in battle. A nearby regiment of the British Army takes over a station run by a missionary (Jack Hawkins) and his daughter (Ulla Jacobsson) as a supply depot and hospital under the command of Lieutenant John Chard (Stanley Baker) and his subordinate Gonville Bromhead (Michael Caine). Unable to abandon their wounded soldiers even in dire circumstances, the regiment defend their station against the Zulu warriors.

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Critics Consensus

Zulu patiently establishes a cast of colorful characters and insurmountable stakes before unleashing its white-knuckle spectacle, delivering an unforgettable war epic in the bargain.

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Zulu | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Joe Clay Times (UK) Epic in scale, Cy Endfield’s stirring account of the Battle of Rorke’s Drift ... features bruisingly authentic battle sequences and Michael Caine, dodging spears, in one of his most memorable performances. Jan 2, 2024 Full Review Zulu | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times This may not be exact history, but it certainly makes an impression. Jul 10, 2017 Full Review Zulu | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Alex von Tunzelmann Guardian A brilliantly made dramatisation of Rorke's Drift, and it does a fine job of capturing the spirit for which the battle is remembered. Rated: B+ Jul 10, 2017 Full Review Zulu | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand The glory of the British Empire isn’t quite so glorious in this story of English military might in the name of conquest. Nov 16, 2024 Full Review Zulu | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Tom Cassidy Common Sense Media Now that it can be seen at home in high definition, the true spectacle of Stephen Dade's cinematography can be appreciated once more. Rated: 5/5 Jan 3, 2023 Full Review Zulu | Rotten Tomatoes (6) PJ Nabarro Patrick Nabarro Zulu stands the test of time by uncannily understanding itself as something of a chamber piece and by making atmosphere and suspense the centrepiece of its narrative rather than just the gratification of combat. Rated: 3/5 Feb 19, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Blobbo X Can't we all just get along? Apparently not, think Blobbo. Plus, is too effing long! (Sorry, Blobbo feeling cranky.) Never make through whole thing. Another reviewer post this comment~"Its failure to present any kind of historical context ill serves the indigenous African peoples whom Endfield presumes to honor."Sound about right. Rated 1/5 Stars • Rated 1 out of 5 stars 12/28/24 Full Review Mark B Gosh! Watch out for those spears, men! ZULU is a wonderful movie which fully captures the incredible, heroic deeds of a small garrison of fully paid-up and immensely brave members of the British Empire doing battle against what should have been impossible odds against 4000 Zulu warriors. But it's the British soldiers, resplendent to the last in their immaculate red tunics and white battle dress hats that are the REAL warriors here. Hopelessly outnumbered, the brilliant Michael Caine captivates throughout as the splendidly named Lt Gonville Bromherd, as he steers his tiny band of men to victory, despite the presence of missionary Jack Hawkins who does his best to try and scupper the whole thing by getting Caine's troops to surrender. Not a chance!! There are stellar performances from Stanley Baker, Nigel Green and James Booth. Luckily the irritating Ulla Jacobsen (Hawkins' missionary daughter) was carted off, along with Hawkins halfway through the film. For its age, ZULU still presses all the right buttons and makes this one of the greatest war movies of its time. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/19/24 Full Review Will G One of the best ever, the story of the making of the film is very interesting too. Not 100% accurate but close. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/15/24 Full Review Joe S Michael Caine's first movie what's not to like! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/17/24 Full Review Aender S Good war movie in which I particularly like the Zulu dances and chants, and also the British Colour-Sergeant's dry humour. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/16/24 Full Review Christopher M Great movie for 1964. The launch of Michael Caine's career. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/20/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Charles De Latour Director Stanley Baker Lieutenant John Chard R.E. Jack Hawkins Otto Witt Ulla Jacobsson Margareta Witt Michael Caine Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead Nigel Green Colour-Sergeant Bourne
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Synopsis In 1879, the Zulu nation hands colonial British forces a resounding defeat in battle. A nearby regiment of the British Army takes over a station run by a missionary (Jack Hawkins) and his daughter (Ulla Jacobsson) as a supply depot and hospital under the command of Lieutenant John Chard (Stanley Baker) and his subordinate Gonville Bromhead (Michael Caine). Unable to abandon their wounded soldiers even in dire circumstances, the regiment defend their station against the Zulu warriors.

Director
Charles De Latour

Producer
Stanley Baker, Charles De Latour

Screenwriter
Charles De Latour, John Prebble, John Prebble, Charles De Latour

Distributor
Embassy Pictures

Production Co
Embassy Pictures, Diamond Films

Genre
History, Drama, War

Original Language
British English

Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 17, 1964, Original

Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 8, 2017

Runtime
2h 15m
Most Popular at Home Now
Zulu | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

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