When I was fourteen I read a book my dad had borrowed from the library. It was called "The Washing of the Spears" written by Donald R Morris. It is a detailed history of the rise of the Zulu nation under Shaka and its ultimate downfall. It was the first book that ever blew my mind. It charts in great depth the history of the Dutch, the British and the various tribes living in southern Africa. It culminates in the Anglo/Zulu war of 1879. The two most famous battles occurred on 22/23 January 1879. The first, Isandhlwana was the destruction of half of Lord Chelmsford's principal invasion column, the second, Rorke's Drift, was the 'against the odds' survival of a single company defending the mission station of that name.
Two films have been made, one focussing on each battle. The best loved I suspect is "Zulu" - Michael Caine's breakthrough performance, with Stanley Baker as the engineer officer Chard. You might be able to recite the dialogue. "He's a peeler, 716, come to arrest the Zulu." An institution of a film. It might even merit the description iconic!!
They'll show Zulu at some point over Christmas, I'm quite sure, even though it's not really a festive kind of story. My personal highlight is when the Zulu commander sends some of his warriors to stand and test the firepower of the British rifles. Yes, you have to listen to Men of Harlech, but the counterpoint is a magnificent Zulu battle chant and the thundering rattle of assegais on bull hide shields. Turn the sound up when it starts. It makes me shiver every time I hear it.
And if you think the fight in the hospital, as Hook and his mates escape by digging their way through walls with warriors on their heels is nail biting stuff, Donald Morris' account in TWOTS is even better.
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