Zulu Dawn (1979) is an epic historical war film directed by Douglas Hickox. It serves as a prequel to Zulu (1964) and dramatizes the Battle of Isandlwana in 1879, where British forces suffered a devastating defeat during the Anglo-Zulu War.
The film follows Lord Chelmsford (Peter O’Toole), a British commander who underestimates the Zulu army’s strength and tactics. As he leads his troops into Zulu territory, arrogance and poor planning lead to disaster. Meanwhile, Colonel Durnford (Burt Lancaster) and Lieutenant Vereker (Simon Ward) struggle to hold the line against overwhelming Zulu warriors led by King Cetshwayo (Simon Sabela).
When the Zulu attack finally comes, the British are outnumbered and unprepared, resulting in one of the British Empire’s most crushing military defeats.
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