Overview
A gripping tale of courage and survival against overwhelming odds in a historical battle.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- tense
- stoic
- stirring
- classic cinema night
- historical film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praise its intelligent screenplay, strong performances, technical quality, patient tension, and thrilling battle spectacle, while noting its reliance on traditional imperial war-film clichés.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The British defenders are framed through disciplined courage and stiff-upper-lip military ideals during the Anglo-Zulu War.
The central action follows roughly 150 British troops defending Rorke's Drift against approximately 4,000 Zulu fighters.
The film patiently develops the outpost's officers and soldiers before devoting its second half to sustained attacks and defense.
The South African landscape and massed Zulu assaults contrast with the cramped defensive geometry of the mission station.
Films like Zulu, and why
The Last Samurai
period military adventure centered on a besieged outpost, disciplined soldiers, and large-scale battle spectacle
The Four Feathers
classic British war adventure with imperial setting, heroic military camaraderie, and colonial critique
The Alamo
historical siege drama emphasizing tactical defense, escalating tension, and battlefield heroism
Movie Details
- Director
- Cy Endfield
- Release Date
- 1964-01-22
- Runtime
- 138 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (589)
Cast
- Stanley Baker
- Jack Hawkins
- Ulla Jacobsson
- James Booth
- Michael Caine
- Nigel Green
- Paul Daneman
- Patrick Magee
- Glynn Edwards
- Neil McCarthy
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, FlixFling, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Troma NOW, Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Zulu about?
- A disciplined British garrison faces overwhelming Zulu forces in a visually expansive and morally complicated siege drama.
- What is Zulu like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Zulu as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Zulu violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Zulu as graphic.
- What did critics think of Zulu?
- Critics broadly praise its intelligent screenplay, strong performances, technical quality, patient tension, and thrilling battle spectacle, while noting its reliance on traditional imperial war-film clichés.
- Which films are like Zulu?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Samurai, The Four Feathers, and The Alamo.
- How long is Zulu?
- Zulu runs 138 minutes.
- Where can I watch Zulu?
- In United States, Zulu streams on Amazon Prime Video, FlixFling, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Troma NOW, Artiflix.
