By "W"
thu, mar 9, 2023 11:13 a.m.
Michael Caine on the great movie Zulu
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11839119/Sir-Michael-Caine-hits-bull-t-suggestion-1964-movie-Zulu-incites-extremism.html
Zulu 1964 Movie - Final Battle, Including "Men of Harlech" Song
"Zulu is a 1964 epic war film depicting the Battle of Rorke's Drift between the British Army and the Zulus in January 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War. It depicts 150 British soldiers, many of whom were sick and wounded patients in a field hospital, who successfully held off a force of 4,000 Zulu warriors.
"The ending of the film is somewhat fictitious. There was no Zulu attack at dawn on 23 January 1879, which in the film led to the singing of 'Men of Harlech,' but it sure made for dramatic Hollywood an ending to be viewed again and again.
"'Men of Harlech' is widely used as a regimental march, especially by British Army and Commonwealth regiments historically associated with Wales. Notably, it is the slow march of the Welsh Guards, and the quick march of the Royal Welsh.
"It was first used for cinema during the titles of How Green was My Valley (1941) and has featured in a number of other films. It is best known for its prominent role in the 1964 film Zulu, although the version of lyrics sung in it were written specially for the film. It is sung twice, only once completely, in the film (the British begin shooting the charging Zulus before the start of the final couplet), in counterpoint to the Zulu war chants and the sounds of their shields. Film editor John Jympson cut the scene to the song so that on either side of cuts where the British soldiers cannot be heard, the song is in the correct relative position. The song is also heard in the film Zulu Dawn, which is about the battle that precedes Rorke's Drift, the Battle of Isandlwana."
History Buffs: Zulu
First ever episode of History Buffs. A film review show dedicated only to reviewing historical movies
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Our friend Countenance asked me to write a review for his blog (https://countenance.wordpress.com/2023/03/07/david-in-tn-reviews-all-quiet-on-the-western-front/) of the 2022 version of "All Quiet on the Western Front." Below is my review:
"The latest version of All Quiet on the Western Front had been in the works for 15 years. It was to be in the English language as the first two were. Daniel Radcliff was to star. The 1979 TV version had John Boy Walton, now it was supposed to be Harry Potter."
"The film was not made and it was taken up by Netflix to be made with Germans. So there was finally to be a German version of Erich Maria Remarque's novel, the most famous antiwar work of all time."
"The 2022 film is some two and a half hours long but moves swiftly. The uniforms, weapons, and kit are accurate."
"There is little of Remarque's work in the movie aside from character names. The writers tell a new story. The combat scenes are 'realistic' but that usually means the deaths and violence is graphic. The combatants often leave the trenches to fight in the open."
"There is no training camp sequence with Himmelstoss who makes a great villain. This was a key part of the 1930 and 1979 films. There is no home leave by Paul to visit his cancer stricken mother or listen to civilians with no idea what goes on. Paul and Albert Kropp don't spend time in a hospital showing the trauma of being wounded."
"The scene where Paul stabs the French soldier is in daylight during a battle. In the others it was during a night patrol. Paul's face was caked in mud for a good part of the film."
"The film is mostly Paul Baumer and Kat. The scen with Kat's death is not as good as the others. In this one, Kat is shot by a French farm boy, Paul carries him back to be told, 'You could have saved yourself the trouble.'"
"Ironically Remarque actually carried a friend back in real life only to find he had been killed by a shell fragment the same way as in his novel."
"There are several scenes showing the Armistice talks and the intransigence of the French led by Marshal Foch. Finally the Armistice is signed and announced. The soldiers are in a celebratory mood."
"A fictional General from a balcony tells the men they are to attack fifteen minutes before the 11 am deadline. In actuality German soldiers at this stage would have mutinied. Historians say nothing like this happened."
"I do recommend the film, as it's well done and turned out to be topical. Putin's War is the first armed conflict on the European continent since 1945."
I saw it in a theater on a big screen, which makes it better. The downside is sitting through some 20 minutes of Coming Attractions glorifying the Usual Suspects.
Great movie. The first time I saw it (as kid when my dad was watching it), I was on the edge of my seat.
When I lived in Pittsburgh back in the early 80s, I was told that local TV companies wouldn't show Zulu.
A scary movie, waiting for the blacks to come kill you--kinda like having a late night meal in a Waffle House. The sound of their spears against their shields made a sound like a distant train--terrifying. Maybe this is the reason that thugs play their thumpa thumpa music so loud from their vehicles--the sound carries a long way and those hearing know that bad guys are on their way.
Zulu and Zulu Dawn both great movies.
Caine did his military service in Korea and might have actually been involved in combat not a whole unlike Zulu.
TCM features Lewis Milestone's 1930 version of All Quiet on the Western Front this Sunday Night-Early Monday Morning at 1:30 a.m. ET. TCM is showing Academy Award war films all day and night.
It HAS to beat watching the Oscahs.
--GRA
Anon, Caine related in his book (title?) that he once was on patrol one night and they found themselves with Chinese troops between them and their own lines. They made it back safely without contact.
I don't recall that he told of being in any battles. It's been a long time since I read his book so my memory might not be the best. No reflection on Caine if my memory is accurate. He was out there in no man's land which few men can say they were. He made no attempt to exaggerate his experience.
Always one of my favorites.
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