Battling insomnia last night, I caught this movie for the first time. I came into it a bit late (just when the blond-haired commander was coming back from his hunting trip).

My question is with the 4,000 Zulus against about 100 British, why didn't they just rush the compound more and overrun it? And why after 2 unsuccessful attempts did they decide to just go ahead a leave anyway?

From: Pete Panzeri

First time seeing "ZULU!" huh? I have it on tape. If you saw it where Michael Caine rode in -- before the start of the attack, you saw enough. One really needs to watch "Zulu Dawn!" first, and then this one [Zulu] to get the REAL feel for it all. But Rourke's Drift is pretty much abbreviated, and all "Hollywood" in Zulu (with the fictitious preacher and daughter etc.). A book called "Washing of the Spears!" is a great account, it also has OB's and MAPS, perfect for scenarios of every battle in the Zulu War! I've wargamed this a lot both Rourke's Drift and Isandlwana battles (in fact probably every one of the battles maybe).

Simple matter of FIREPOWER. Over 100 Brits behind a redoubt with Henry Martini rifles and ample ammunition piled up could keep any force for approaching their front. Since Rourke's Drift was a supply depot there was no shortage of ammunition. The Zulu attacked en masse the first few rushes, took horrendous losses, after the leaders rested and rallied them they came on again from all directions and captured/flamed the Storehouse part of the perimeter.

A LOT of Zulu leaders and bravest warriors were dead by then too, causing a lot of confusion and lack of regimental coordination in the Zulu ranks ( Yep! The Zulu's had a strictly organized regimental system) taking longer each time to regroup and organize simultaneous or secondary attacks. Sporadic fighting still went on though the night, and they attacked the next day albeit exhausted and depleted. The Brits and drew in and collapsed their perimeter, and were thus able to put out a wall of fire that decimated the leading (and most elite) regiments and leaders.

This shattered Zulu overall morale, and while their numbers were still pretty superior, they were broken. The movie makes it look like they saluted and went home, but I doubt as it was at all that orderly a withdrawal. Maybe, they were Fearsome warriors in every sense. (...and still are today.)

From: Dr. Norbert Brunhuber

Thank you so much for sending me those articles and your own comments. Wow! I have a much better sense of what was going on now in the movie and in real life. A wasted opportunity for the Zulu's it seems. I can see why it's so much fun to wargame though. I'll have to try and find that other Zulu movie. I knew before seeing Zulu that they were well-known for fighting with very Ancient-like tactics, which you reaffirmed in your commentary. I'd love to see them unfold those tactics in the other Zulu movie, despite its flaws.