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Is the movie Zulu (1964) based on a true story?

Olivia Thompson Olivia Thompson Jul 19, 2017 · 2 mins read
Is the movie Zulu (1964) based on a true story?
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Yes, the movie Zulu is based on a true story. It tells the events of the Battle of Rorke’s Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879, where a small British garrison successfully defended against an attack by thousands of Zulu warriors. Many of the characters in the film were real historical figures, such as Lieutenant John Chard and Private Henry Hook, who were awarded the Victoria Cross for their bravery during the battle.

What is the true story behind the movie Zulu (1964)?

The movie Zulu (1964) is a dramatized retelling of the Battle of Rorke’s Drift. The true story behind the movie is that on January 22, 1879, a small British garrison of 139 soldiers, including mostly Welshmen from the 24th Regiment of Foot, fought against an attacking force of 4,000-5,000 Zulu warriors. The battle took place during the Zulu War in South Africa when the British Empire was expanding its colonial rule.

The British soldiers were stationed at a mission station called Rorke’s Drift, which was being used as a hospital and supply depot during the war. The Zulu army had just won a decisive battle against the British at Isandlwana, and their next objective was to attack and defeat the British garrison at Rorke’s Drift.

The British soldiers, under the leadership of Lieutenant John Chard and Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, managed to repel wave after wave of Zulu attacks using their superior firepower and tactics. The small garrison, fighting with great bravery and determination, managed to hold off the Zulu warriors until dawn when the Zulu army was forced to retreat.

The battle at Rorke’s Drift was a significant victory for the British during the Zulu War, as it prevented the complete collapse of the British military campaign in South Africa. The battle of Rorke’s Drift has become legendary in British military history, and the film Zulu (1964) helped to popularize the story and the bravery of the British soldiers who fought in the battle.

Are there any books about the true story behind the movie Zulu (1964)?

Yes, there are several books about the true story behind the movie Zulu (1964). Some of them are:

  1. The Washing of the Spears: A History of the Rise of the Zulu Nation under Shaka and its Fall in the Zulu War of 1879 by Donald R. Morris

  2. Zulu Rising: The Epic Story of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift by Ian Knight

  3. Rorke’s Drift: The Zulu War, 1879 by Edmund Yorke

  4. The Warrior Nation: A History of the Red Indians of North America by Stuart Cloete

  5. Zulu Victory: The Epic of Isandlwana and the Cover-up by Ron Lock and Peter Quantrill.

You can try an audible free trial and search for audiobook versions of those

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Olivia Thompson
Written by Olivia Thompson
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