Zulu Dawn
Zulu Dawn is a 1979 American adventure war film about the historical Battle of Isandlwana between British and Zulu forces in 1879 in South Africa. The screenplay was by Cy Endfield, from his book, and Anthony Storey. The film was directed by Douglas Hickox. The score was composed by Elmer Bernstein.
Plot
The film is set in British South Africa, in the province of Natal, in January 1879. The first act of the film revolves around the administrators and officials of Cape Colony, notably the supremely arrogant Lord Chelmsford and the scheming Sir Henry Bartle Frere, who both wish to crush the neighbouring Zulu Empire, which is perceived as a threat to Cape Colony's emerging industrial economy. Bartle Frere issues an impossible ultimatum to the Zulu king, Cetshwayo, demanding that he dissolve the Zulu Empire. Cetshwayo refuses, providing Cape Colony with a pretext to invade Zululand. Despite objections from leading members of Cape Colony's high society and from Great Britain itself, Bartle Frere authorises Lord Chelmsford to lead a British invasion force into Zululand.
Cast
- Anna Calder-Marshall
- Bob Hoskins
- Brian O'Shaughnessy
- Burt Lancaster
- Christopher Cazenove
- David Bradley
- Denholm Elliott
- Donald Pickering
- Freddie Jones
- James Faulkner
- John Mills
- Michael Jayston
- Nicholas Clay
- Nigel Davenport
- Paul Copley
- Peter O'Toole
- Peter Vaughan
- Phil Daniels
- Ronald Lacey
- Ronald Pickup
- Simon Ward