| Thursday night is the second gathering for the renewed “Fundamentals in Film” series for boys. This week we’re watching and discussing “Zulu”.
Show time is 7:00 p.m. in South St. Paul, and we’re bringing in fried chicken for dinner. If you’d like to check this out in person, you can reach me through the contact information on the right, or leave a comment. |
 |
bookmark to:
Ah, one of my favorites.
Ahhh, Zulu.
January 22,1879, Rorkes Drift, Zululand, South Africa. At dawn, armed with cowhide shields, knobkerries (wooden clubs), and assegais (short stabbing spears) the Zulu Impi had destroyed Chelmsford’s British army at the base of the rock of Isandlwana, exterminating nearly 1,400 red coats and native troops.
The reserve of that victorious Zulu impi went on to Rorkes Drift with the intention of crushing the small supply contingent under Lieutenants Bromhead and Chard.
Outnumbered with 4,000 zulus facing less than 150 men of the 24th foot, of whom many were sick or inuured, they held. The breech-loading .45 caliber Martini-Henry rifle and the bayonet carried the day, with the Zulus withdrawing on the mroning of the 23rd.
11 Victoria Crosses were awarded.
On my 23rd birthday I spent dawn on the rock of Isandlwana, and then followed in the footsteps of the Zulus on to Rorkes drift.
Our guide, a Welshman fluent in Zulu, left no one’s eyes dry after his account of that remarkable day.
Yes, truly a compelling story. It is especially resonant today when you consider the “Peace at Any Price” Rev. Witt who in his quest for peace did everything he could to undermine and discourage the troops to get them to run away, even bellowing “You’re all going to die!” as he finally rode away, drunk. Among the many things that can be taken from this movie is the way the prefixes “dis” and “en” fit in front of the word “courage”. The physical battle itself was certainly going to be intense, but spirit of the men as they responded (or not) to the challenge is instructive.