Zulu 1964 and Zulu Dawn 1979

 

1964

1979

Zulu and Zulu Dawn were great movies. Compelling, exciting, emotionally thrilling. Zulu was released in 1964. It is about the battle of Rorke's Drift. Zulu Dawn is about the battle of Isandlwana and was released in 1979. They dont make movies like this anymore.

But the one thing I never understood are the titles of the movies. Why did they give them those names when the film is about the battle between the English and the Zulu? Zulu should have been called Rorke's Drift and Zulu Dawn should have been named Isandlwana. Just my two cents.

Another great movie about battles between precolonial Africans and Europeans is Shangani Patrol about Alan Wilson's last stand against King Lobengula's Ndebele warriors. It is free on Youtube.

If you are interested in war stories also check out The Fighting Men of Rhodesia on Youtube.

The moral of the story

The first lesson is that never underestimate an enemy. In the film Zulu Dawn the mighty British empire went up against a Zulu army who mostly had spears and cow hide shields at Isandlwana. Never could the Europeans imagine that they would be defeated on the battlefield. And in the movie the Shangani Patrol, Alan Wilson and his men face death at the hands of the Ndebele warriors. And yet a seemingly inferior opponent toppled the vastly equipped British military. The classic tale of David and Goliath. Ever since the battle of Isandlwana many military leaders have made the same mistake. Hitler and the Nazis underestimated the Soviets. The Americans underestimated the Vietnamese and the Afghans. Underestimating an enemy seems like a mistake humans will make again and again.

The second lesson is to never back down or give up. Even if your opponent is stronger and numerically superior you must fight. King Cetshwayo could have given up believing that the Zulus were not match for the British. But he did not cower and run away. The Zulus fought and prevailed. Likewise at Rorke's Drift the British dug down and fought against a more numerous foe and won. Even if the odds are stacked against you, fight! 

The third lesson is that some defeats are as glorious as victories. Even though the British lost at Isandlwana and Alan Wilson and company died at the Shangani river they are still lionised to this day. There is nothing quite as valiant as dying on the battlefield in service of your nation, especially when you are defending your land like the Zulus at Isandlwana. I am sure war is not as glamorous as depicted in the movies but one cannot help but envy brave men who put their lives on the line for the country and their flag.