Zulu (DVD)

BLU-RAY DISC REVIEW--UPDATED JUNE 12, 2009: "U.K. Blu-ray Disc will play on standard U.S. Blu-ray Disc players" This review should be placed under the Blu-ray listing of "Zulu"--but as per Amzon's rules, I have to place it here. This is a review of the Blu-ray version of "Zulu". I will not review the plot--although it is truly a masterpiece, a classic with an A-list cast, based on the true story of a small group of British soldiers defending a remote outpost, against thousands of Zulu warriors in colonial South Africa in 1879. If you have never seen this great movie, you will not be disappointed with the plot, the acting, the directing, or any other aspect of this dramatization of actual events. For some reason, this Blu-ray was only released in Europe as a "region-free" disc. I was skeptical that it would play on my U.S.-sold Sony Blu-ray player (that I purchased in Nov. 2008 and in which I have not installed any software updates). The seller assured me that it would play OK--and it did! No problem whatsoever with the video or audio playback. And what a picture! The video quality is as good as any other Blu-ray that I have seen--even including the new blockbusters on Blu-ray--crystal sharp details--almost a 3-D look to the vistas and other images. The redcoats are fire-engine red. There is no evidence of grain and the outstanding images are remarkably consistent throughout the film. There is simply no comparison of the Blu-ray image to the previous DVD version of "Zulu". The audio is fine (other reviewers have complained about the sound--but, the original was mono--it's perfectly fine, in my opinion). If you are as picky as I am about upgrading your movie collection to Blu-ray, you will not be disappointed with this upgrade. Unfortunately, this item is only for sale on Amazon through a limited number of marketplace sellers. There seems to be a constant trickle of offers from these sellers. I spent about $15 more on this disc than the usual Blu-ray purchase--but it was worth it. Highly recommended! Listed below is my previous review, based on the standard DVD release. I almost did not purchase a DVD of "Zulu" based on the mostly negative comments (by other Amazon reviewers) regarding the quality of the video and sound transfer to DVD. Well, I took a chance--and wow! The transfer to DVD is excellent! The format is anamorphic widescreen, enhanced for 16 x 9 large-screen, high-definition TVs. My comments are based on the Region 1, May 2003 DVD release by MGM. The DVD cover artwork is a painting (not a photo) that shows a likeness of Michael Caine in his British uniform. There are apparently older versions or knock-offs that might be the source of those other negative comments regarding the picture quality. I have a high-defintion TV and I am very particular about the quality of the transfer of old films (like this, filmed in 1964) to DVD. I watched "Zulu" on a 46-inch Samsung high-def, LCD TV, played via a Toshiba 1080p HD DVD player. The picture is crystal clear (I did not notice any grain or dirt), the colors perfect (good flesh tones--and the British red coats are their true bright red, not washed-out orange as another reviewer commented), and the sound is also good. If you have a high-defintion TV with surround sound, you will not be disappointed. This DVD edition of this 1964 classic is highly recommended!

'Zulu' has been one of my favorite war films since I was a teenager. I was inspired to buy it on Blu-ray after watching a biography on Michael Caine on Amazon Prime video the other day. While not 100% historically accurate, Zulu truly is a miraculous achievement when one considers its limited budget and the fact that it was mostly filmed in South Africa at the height of apartheid in the early 1960s. Producers Stanley Baker (Lt.Chard) and Cy Endfield (who also directed) are to be commended for pulling off what looks like a big-budget widescreen extravaganza on the screen. The Battle of Rorke's Drift was actually an example of unabashed British colonialism, but the creators of the film succeed both in portraying the Zulus as courageous opponents and showing the downside of expansion of the British Empire at the end of the 19th century. The extras included on the Blu-ray are very enlightening. In the film commentary track, one of the primary assistant directors and a historian specializing in the era detail how 200 Zulu extras were used to make viewers believe there really were 4,000 of them opposing the 100 or so British soldiers defending the mission/hospital at Rorke's Drift. In addition, star/producer Stanley Baker's wife Ellen provides a personal touch that only one very close to a man who was instrumental in creating the film can provide. Several members involved in the extras give interesting takes on how Michael Caine managed to get the role of Lt.Bromhead on the film, and give opinions as to how good his upper-class accent was when he actually came from a lower-class cockney background (of course, today we know that Caine went on to become one of the most versatile actors in the world, able to do almost any accent). 'Zulu' is an extraordinary movie. It has excellent pacing, superb cinematography (the incredible South African vistas are characters in themselves, much like John Ford's classic westerns), a tight script, and marvelous acting--especially from a very green Michael Caine and Stanley Baker. It is indeed a shame that Baker died of lung cancer a little more than a decade after this movie was released... 'Zulu' is indeed a tribute to him, as Lt. Chard is the role for which he is probably most remembered. It has often been said that great movies don't age, and this one certainly fits in that category.

A fantastic movie, worth watching. Historically accurate, including the battle formations used by the ZULU's

The tape is very clear and very good quality.

One of the best ever War movies, based on an actual battle, and the Blu Ray version is a clean , clear crisp version. Well worth watching

What a remarkable film this is in so many ways and it is wonderful that so much work has gone into its transfer to Blu-ray. A splendid achievement. The film, released in 1964 is showing its age a little but it remains an epic British war film. Michael Caine, Stanley Baker together with James Booth and Jack Hawkins head up a stellar cast. Worth a look and worth the money.

I play this on my North American Panasonic UB820 and it works without any issue. Before buying check with the supplier to ensure the copy they send isn't region-coded. Video quality is excellent. At first, I thought the sound was mono, but when I turned up the volume, the stereo sound became apparent (UB820, Marantz NR1200, Oberon 5s, LG C1). Sound quality is decent once the volume is up. It is a great movie and much improved over my DVD edition.

Zulu es una de mis películas favoritas de todos los tiempos. No hay mucho que decir de esta cinta que no se haya dicho antes. Escenificada maravillosamente, cuenta con grandes interpretaciones, grandes paisajes, gran banda sonora y sus escenas de combate son de las más Memorables en la historia del cine con sus miles y miles de extras. El Dvd de Región 1 trae buena calidad de imagen y se deja ver con gusto. Solo Incluye su Audio original en Inglés con Subtitulos en Español. Muy Satisfecho con la Compra.

Zoulou est un très grand film du 7èm art;un film d'aventure sur le courage et la bravoure.Basé sur une histoire vraie,il raconte l'incroyable combat en 1879qui opposa 400 soldats britanniques à 4000 guerriers zoulous.Les anglais défendirent jusqu'au bout la missionde Rocke's Ddrift ou s'étaient réfugiés un pasteur et sa fille.Brochette d'acteurs remarquables dont Michael Cainei qui interprète le lieutenant Bromhead à la fois arrogant et extrêmement courageux.D'autres acteurs apparaissent à l'écran comme Stanley Baker et Jack hawkins.Scènes de combat époustouflantes.