ZULU: respect!
I’ve just watched the seminal 1964 film ‘Zulu’ (with Michael Caine and Stanley Baker) and was pleasantly surprised to find how much I enjoyed it. Far from being a piece of tub-thumping flag waving, the film has a strong anti-war message, hinting at the insanity of colonialism and condemning the needless slaughter. It’s a great film – see it if you can!
Zulu: obscure facts!
Despite the scope and status of “Zulu”, it was made on a tiny budget of $2m, and was actor Stanley Baker’s first film as producer
Baker only had 500 Zulus to work with, when 4,000 were needed for the battle scenes. Fake Zulus were created, and you can spot them if you look carefully at them lining up on the hilltops, as they have no legs!
Look out for the occasional appearance of a Timex or two on the wrists of the Zulu extras – it’s how they were paid as the film was made in apartheid era South Africa!
Related posts:
Herne Hill Velodrome Cycling Film Night – photos
Brixton goes back to the 1980s for retro film set in Valentia Place
Brixton awash with media luvvies as film crews invade
Battle of Britain flypast as London remembers the Blitz
Wartime Waterloo station shown off in fascinating British Council short film
No Frills Band at the Ritzy, experimental film music at the Albert, Brixton
The fake houses at 23 and 24 Leinster Gardens, Bayswater, London W2
Alfie, Michael Caine and the Brixton connection
