Zulu (50th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray] [Region Free]

BLU-RAY DISC REVIEW--UPDATED JUNE 12, 2009: "U.K. Blu-ray Disc will play on standard U.S. Blu-ray Disc players" This review should be placed under the Blu-ray listing of "Zulu"--but as per Amzon's rules, I have to place it here. This is a review of the Blu-ray version of "Zulu". I will not review the plot--although it is truly a masterpiece, a classic with an A-list cast, based on the true story of a small group of British soldiers defending a remote outpost, against thousands of Zulu warriors in colonial South Africa in 1879. If you have never seen this great movie, you will not be disappointed with the plot, the acting, the directing, or any other aspect of this dramatization of actual events. For some reason, this Blu-ray was only released in Europe as a "region-free" disc. I was skeptical that it would play on my U.S.-sold Sony Blu-ray player (that I purchased in Nov. 2008 and in which I have not installed any software updates). The seller assured me that it would play OK--and it did! No problem whatsoever with the video or audio playback. And what a picture! The video quality is as good as any other Blu-ray that I have seen--even including the new blockbusters on Blu-ray--crystal sharp details--almost a 3-D look to the vistas and other images. The redcoats are fire-engine red. There is no evidence of grain and the outstanding images are remarkably consistent throughout the film. There is simply no comparison of the Blu-ray image to the previous DVD version of "Zulu". The audio is fine (other reviewers have complained about the sound--but, the original was mono--it's perfectly fine, in my opinion). If you are as picky as I am about upgrading your movie collection to Blu-ray, you will not be disappointed with this upgrade. Unfortunately, this item is only for sale on Amazon through a limited number of marketplace sellers. There seems to be a constant trickle of offers from these sellers. I spent about $15 more on this disc than the usual Blu-ray purchase--but it was worth it. Highly recommended! Listed below is my previous review, based on the standard DVD release. I almost did not purchase a DVD of "Zulu" based on the mostly negative comments (by other Amazon reviewers) regarding the quality of the video and sound transfer to DVD. Well, I took a chance--and wow! The transfer to DVD is excellent! The format is anamorphic widescreen, enhanced for 16 x 9 large-screen, high-definition TVs. My comments are based on the Region 1, May 2003 DVD release by MGM. The DVD cover artwork is a painting (not a photo) that shows a likeness of Michael Caine in his British uniform. There are apparently older versions or knock-offs that might be the source of those other negative comments regarding the picture quality. I have a high-defintion TV and I am very particular about the quality of the transfer of old films (like this, filmed in 1964) to DVD. I watched "Zulu" on a 46-inch Samsung high-def, LCD TV, played via a Toshiba 1080p HD DVD player. The picture is crystal clear (I did not notice any grain or dirt), the colors perfect (good flesh tones--and the British red coats are their true bright red, not washed-out orange as another reviewer commented), and the sound is also good. If you have a high-defintion TV with surround sound, you will not be disappointed. This DVD edition of this 1964 classic is highly recommended!

Great classic movie about fighting the Zulus back then! Not one disappointing moment at all! Tons of action and suspense !

'Zulu' has been one of my favorite war films since I was a teenager. I was inspired to buy it on Blu-ray after watching a biography on Michael Caine on Amazon Prime video the other day. While not 100% historically accurate, Zulu truly is a miraculous achievement when one considers its limited budget and the fact that it was mostly filmed in South Africa at the height of apartheid in the early 1960s. Producers Stanley Baker (Lt.Chard) and Cy Endfield (who also directed) are to be commended for pulling off what looks like a big-budget widescreen extravaganza on the screen. The Battle of Rorke's Drift was actually an example of unabashed British colonialism, but the creators of the film succeed both in portraying the Zulus as courageous opponents and showing the downside of expansion of the British Empire at the end of the 19th century. The extras included on the Blu-ray are very enlightening. In the film commentary track, one of the primary assistant directors and a historian specializing in the era detail how 200 Zulu extras were used to make viewers believe there really were 4,000 of them opposing the 100 or so British soldiers defending the mission/hospital at Rorke's Drift. In addition, star/producer Stanley Baker's wife Ellen provides a personal touch that only one very close to a man who was instrumental in creating the film can provide. Several members involved in the extras give interesting takes on how Michael Caine managed to get the role of Lt.Bromhead on the film, and give opinions as to how good his upper-class accent was when he actually came from a lower-class cockney background (of course, today we know that Caine went on to become one of the most versatile actors in the world, able to do almost any accent). 'Zulu' is an extraordinary movie. It has excellent pacing, superb cinematography (the incredible South African vistas are characters in themselves, much like John Ford's classic westerns), a tight script, and marvelous acting--especially from a very green Michael Caine and Stanley Baker. It is indeed a shame that Baker died of lung cancer a little more than a decade after this movie was released... 'Zulu' is indeed a tribute to him, as Lt. Chard is the role for which he is probably most remembered. It has often been said that great movies don't age, and this one certainly fits in that category.

Gone are the days when a movie had to house and feed 1000's of extras for a battle epic film. CGI and AI will never hold a candle to movies like this.

With other reviews being so complete in terms of plot summary, I will assume that you know what this terrific historical spectacle is about. This project was a labour of love for producer/actor Stanley Baker, and the result is an unforgettable depiction of one of the most famous battles in African history. The credits say "introducing Michael Caine". This was not really his first film, but it was certainly his first major role, and he made the most of it. You do witness the birth of a major star, who is still turning in terrific performances to this day. At the same time--and notwithstanding the picture on the DVD cover--it is Stanley Baker who has the lead role, and he is very fine indeed. His character is a vulnerable man, forced to command in an impossible situation. Stanley Baker succumbed to cancer some years ago--he was knighted by the Queen just before he passed away. Whether playing a villain, or in the case of "Zulu", the hero, he was a real professsional. He was also a proud Welshman, and I'm sure that the role of brave Welsh soldiers who fought at Rourke's Drift, was an aspect of the plot that he was pleased to emphasize. Acting kudos also go to James Booth, as an unethical coward, Jack Hawkins as a fanatical and alcoholic clergyman, and Nigel Green as a sergeant no soldier would want to annoy ! The DVD is beautiful--the colours are clear and vivid--with all those red tunics, you don't want colour that is pale or washed out. This is also a film that absolutely has to be seen in widescreen, and this DVD captures the battle scenes and the gorgeous African panorama beautifully. It does indeed have a "cast of thousands"--no digital tricks here--just real people. I must agree with another reviewer on the sound--only mono ? Why ? Some extras would have been nice--there is not even a booklet inside the case. On the other hand, the price is right. Bottom line--a visual feast, with some very fine actors to bring the story to life. Actually, I'll give it four and a half stars. Well done !

I may not be able to add much to the reviews, whose praise I agree with wholeheratedly on the content of this magnificent film, but I still felt compelled to offer my two cents on the BluRay, which is equally fantastic. With the full measure of the gloriousness of the sheer granduer of the backdrop for this story now rightfully restored in HiDef, the inherent drama of the storyline now, finally, at long last, has an equally worthy canvas on which to be presented - a fact that's been perpetually lost on every other video presentation of it I've seen before. It is actually an awe-inspiring revalation as to the intended impact of this film and, from any and all previous video editions of it, indeed a transformation from a first-rate adventure of otherwise acceptably good scale to a first-rate adventure and overall a remarkable spectacle! I dare say it didn't approach looking this good to me when I recall seeing it in my local theater all those years ago. For that matter, it looks so good, I don't think anyone would dream, from its appearance here, that this film is in fact closing in on its 50th anniversary. From the opening credits, I see that the film was originally shot in 70mm, thus with far more detail than the more common 35mm films films have. You can expect similar performance in HiDef with other films of the 65 or 70mm variety, like 2001: A Space Odessy or Lawrence of Arabia - IF the disc transfer is good - and here it certainly is. The image within the frame on this disc is always, and utterly, as steady as the Rock of Gibralter. There was only the very most minor amount of flicker, as seen on my setup, but, again, only rarely and scarcely noticable when it was seen - still not sure if the disc was actually to blame or not. Not a hint of moire, anywhere. The sound is quite good and far better than I had any reason to hope. Although John Barry's superb score was apparently originally in mono, it's by far the best I've heard from it before - it even has a better impression than the original (mono) soundtrack available on CD, if my memory serves. Yet, the sound effects track on this disc is either true stereo, or, more likely, was derived from various isolated sound effects elements and then "panned" during post production. There are even some nice extras: more than two documentaries on the making of the film, film commentary, the theatrical trailer and even a brief, but interesting, interview with John Barry himself, pertaining to the origins of his ideas for the score. But, all in all, I do love it so when such a majestic and monumental movie as this gets the royal treatment that it does here. Sometimes, presentation is everything! Highly, highly recommended!!

One of the best war movies of all time. A basically accurate re-hash of an actual Zulu-British battle, Michael Caine excels as the British 2nd-in-command. Of course as a combat veteran of the Korean War, he understood what leadership is all about, and his portrayal of Lt Bromhead is spot-on. A shame tho, that the famous 'singing duel' between the Welsh and the Zulus never took place!

Great Historical!

One of the best ever War movies, based on an actual battle, and the Blu Ray version is a clean , clear crisp version. Well worth watching

For anyone who may be curious about the history of European expansion into southern Africa, "Zulu" would be an excellent place to begin their education. The story of the defence of the British outpost at Roake's Drift by a contingent of Welsh Redcoats begins with one of the British Army's worst defeats to "native" troops in that Army's history. It ends with an engagement where 11 Victoria Crosses (the British equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honour) were awarded, a record that has not been matched, either before or since. Stanley Baker, who was the driving force behind the making of this movie, & Michael Caine, in his first starring role, portray the British officers in charge of the defence against the Zulu Army. And they give quite a performance. Baker's character is quick to grasp the danger the British are in at their outpost & how unlikely it is that they can survive the coming Zulu attack. But he opts to stand & fight regardless. Caine's Broomhead, an arrogant, upper class twit who is forced by seniority to give over his command to Baker, is the perfect counterpoint to Baker's lower class Chard. The conflict between these 2 characters informs the first half of this movie & sets the stage for actual battle. And what a battle it is! Zulu Impis hurl themselves at the British with a heedless courage that reminds one of the Troopers who attacked the Russians guns at the Charge of The Light Brigade, or the Federal troops who tried to take Fredericksburg, or Pickett's attack on the Union centre on Day 3 of the Battle of Gettysburg. As a French General said, between sobs, as he watched the "Cherry Bums" ride to their annihilation at Sebastopol, "This is magnificent, but it is not war." And just as it had in the Crimea & during the Civil War, Zulu courage proves unable to overcome superior firepower, better tactics & an entrenched position. The battle sequences in this film are truly stunning, filmed so that the raw energy & terror of close order combat is a feeling that is visceral. You see how very close the Zulus came to overwhelming the Redcoats, who survived because of their Martini-Henry rifles, lethally effective against spears, & their rock-solid discipline. If you ever wondered how the British created an empire on whose borders the sun never set, then this movie is a good example of the role their military played in that creation.

What a remarkable film this is in so many ways and it is wonderful that so much work has gone into its transfer to Blu-ray. A splendid achievement. The film, released in 1964 is showing its age a little but it remains an epic British war film. Michael Caine, Stanley Baker together with James Booth and Jack Hawkins head up a stellar cast. Worth a look and worth the money.

Good condition, good price

Zulu es una de mis películas favoritas de todos los tiempos. No hay mucho que decir de esta cinta que no se haya dicho antes. Escenificada maravillosamente, cuenta con grandes interpretaciones, grandes paisajes, gran banda sonora y sus escenas de combate son de las más Memorables en la historia del cine con sus miles y miles de extras. El Dvd de Región 1 trae buena calidad de imagen y se deja ver con gusto. Solo Incluye su Audio original en Inglés con Subtitulos en Español. Muy Satisfecho con la Compra.