Historical accuracy Zulu (1964 film)

1 historical accuracy

1.1 regiment
1.2 witts
1.3 men of regiment
1.4 zulus
1.5 ending

historical accuracy

historical picture of zulu warriors same time events depicted in zulu

the basic premises of film true , largely accurate. heavily outnumbered british defended rorke s drift more or less portrayed in film. writer cy endfield consulted zulu tribal historian information zulu oral tradition attack. there are, however, number of historical inaccuracies in film, of of minor importance , of added dramatic effect:

the regiment

the 24th regiment of foot described welsh regiment: however, although based in brecon in south wales, designation 24th (the 2nd warwickshire) regiment of foot . did not become south wales borderers until 1881. of soldiers present, 49 english, 32 welsh, 16 irish , 22 others of indeterminate nationality.
the song men of harlech features prominently regimental song; did not become until later. @ time of battle, regimental song warwickshire lad . there no battlefield singing contest between british , zulus.

the witts

there several inconsistencies historical record concerning swedish missionaries, witts. in film, witt depicted middle-aged widower, pacifist , drunkard, has adult daughter called margareta. in reality, otto witt aged 30 , had wife, elin, , 2 infant children. witt s family 30 kilometres (19 mi) away @ time of battle. on morning of battle, otto witt, chaplain, george smith , surgeon-major james henry reynolds had ascended shiyane, large hill near station, , noticed approach of zulu force across buffalo river. far being pacifist, witt had co-operated closely army , negotiated lease put rorke s drift @ lord chelmsford s disposal. witt made clear did not oppose british intervention against cetshwayo. had stayed @ rorke s drift because wished take part in defence of own house , @ same time in defence of important place whole colony, yet thoughts went wife , children, @ short distance there, , did not know of going on . therefore left on horseback join family shortly before battle.

the men of regiment

lieutenants john chard , gonville bromhead: chard had received commission in april 1868, making bromhead junior officer , second-in-command @ drift though infantryman , chard engineer. in film, stated bromhead received commission 3 months after chard when, in fact, full 3 years after chard.
surgeon reynolds: during battle of rorke s drift, reynolds went around barricades, distributing ammunition , tending wounded there, not shown in film. during closing voiceover, incorrectly referred surgeon-major, army hospital corps ; reynolds of army medical department, , not promoted rank of surgeon-major until after action @ rorke s drift. pacifism apparent in magee s portrayal anachronistic , not based on historical surgeon reynolds.
private henry hook vc depicted rogue penchant alcohol; in fact model soldier later became sergeant; teetotaller. while film has him in hospital malingering, under arrest , had been assigned there guard building. filmmakers felt story needed anti-hero redeems himself in course of events, film s presentation of hook caused daughter walk out of film premiere in disgust.
conversely, corporal william allen depicted model soldier; in real life had been demoted sergeant drunkenness.
colour sergeant frank bourne (1854–1945) depicted big, hardened, middle-aged veteran; in fact, of modest stature and, aged 24, youngest colour sergeant in british army. called kid men. colour sergeant bourne not have worn medals on duty uniform. moreover, green s costume has chevrons on wrong arm. after battle bourne offered commission turned down because lacked money necessary serve commissioned officer; did accept commission in 1890. last british survivor of battle , died full colonel.
the role of padre george smith ( ammunition smith) ignored.
corporal christian ferdinand schiess 22, younger actor portrayed him.
the detachment of cavalry durnford s horse ride mission station members of natal native contingent, composed of black riders rather local white farmers depicted in film, had survived battle of isandlwana , had ridden rorke s drift warn , aid garrison there. present during opening action zulus, rode off had little ammunition cavalry carbines. captain stephenson depicted @ head; in reality leading nnc infantry, had deserted.
the uniforms of natal native contingent inaccurate: nnc troops not issued european-style clothes. european officers wore makeshift uniforms. rank , file wore traditional tribal garb topped red rag worn around forehead (as correctly depicted in prequel zulu dawn). story of desertion true. however, witt had left, not responsible departure. left of own accord, captain stephenson , european ncos. these deserters fired @ left , 1 of ncos, corporal anderson, killed. stephenson later convicted of desertion @ court-martial , dismissed army.

the zulus

the attack on mission station not ordered king cetshwayo, audience led believe in film. cetshwayo had told warriors not invade natal, british colony. attack led prince dabulamanzi kampande, king s half-brother, pursued fleeing survivors @ isandlwana across river , moved on attack rorke s drift. although 20,000 rounds of ammunition fired defenders, under 400 zulus killed @ rorke s drift. similar number left behind when zulus retreated, being badly wounded move. comments veterans many years after event suggest british killed many of these wounded men in battle s aftermath, raising total number of zulu deaths on 700.

ending

the ending of film fictitious. there no zulu attack @ dawn on 23 january 1879, in film led singing of men of harlech . there sparse fighting few remaining zulus.

however @ 7:00 am, impi appeared, , british manned positions again. no attack materialised, zulus had been on move 6 days prior battle. in ranks hundreds of wounded, , several days march supplies.

around 8:00 am, force appeared, defenders abandoned breakfast , manned positions again. approaching troops vanguard of lord chelmsford s relief column.

the zulus did not sing song saluting fellow warriors, , did not depart peacefully. departed @ approach of british relief column.