It is a great scene..but absolutely fictional sadly. Truth is hey decided not attack again and went home. A year later the Battle of Ulundi brought the Zulu nation down.
What I love about this film is the way the Zulu warriors are portrayed. Not as ignorant barbarians but as brave warriors fighting brave warriors from such an utterly different culture
The 1930s story version was a more triumphalist salute to the British Empire... After all, 11 Victorian Crosses were awarded to the English regiment (Welsh since 1881).
The impact is strong as ever as this is factual and this was one amazing day in history.. I had been there and done the Isandlwana walk with a historian and then after wards Rorkes Drift.. Its amazing to look back at this time in history... The Zulu is a very proud nation indeed and so are the Brits.
@@SmokeMyBees I did read that the Zulu chief was pleased how his people were portrayed in this film; a friend of mine who lived in South Africa told me many Zulus took their own lives rather than be subjected to white rule.....they were an incredibly proud, strong people. This film treated them as such. I find it so sad these men had to fight each other...when they could, and should, have been friends.
There wasn't just Welsh and English at this battle there was also 16 Irish soldiers and Scots was few different nationalities from accross the British empire of the time@@phmwu7368. Amazing now Ireland is an independent country at time of this war the Irish were taking part in a lot of the campaigns. I am Irish I can't blame Irish of time joining the British army it was there only chance really at this time to have decent life and be able to live.
Of all the military films I have seen, not one has an ending that comes close to the emotional power and beauty (in song) that this one does. One of the most underrated war movies ever.
That’s true. Zulu should be right up there with the Longest Day. But there were some people that noticed what a great movie it is. My ninth grade history teacher being one of them. He played the whole movie for us in his history class.
ive never seen it and cant wait but your definatly overselling this film cause i have seen the last 25 mins...its not that amazing but it is definatly good...setlle down with best ever tho
What makes this film even cooler is the fact that the Zulu’s were played by the descendants of the warriors that fought that day. What a film, and for one about colonialism, does it as respectfully as one could expect
Agreed, I think the beauty of Zulu is that the film is from the perspective of the British soldiers who are fighting for survival against the Zulu who are fighting for their way of life. In other words the antagonists are not villains. Additionally, I always loved that whenever there is racist remark made, somebody puts the speaker in their place. All these are very uncommon aspects of epic colonial films from that decade.
Honestly, this is the most powerful scene in any movie ever for me. The ultimate symbol of honor, respect, and bravery. This is a beautiful movie and the fact that it isn't better regarded is a serious sin.
Given how many times it has been referenced in films (The Two Towers, The Battle of Winterfell, Gladiator), you see this film is secretly beloved in Hollywood still, they just don't want to admit it
Ironically in the real battle the Zulu army saluting them never actually happened unfortunately. However the Zulu actors that did it for the film, I like to believe were actually doing it to the original fighters there, I sort of long overdue recognition of fellow Bravery?
@@Padlockpiper the british outpost was incredibly outnumbered but still they fought on. The zulu recognized this and let their worthy adversaries live. Something people nowadays wouldnt understand.
The first time I saw this ending, I had tears in my eyes. One of the great contradictions of war and of warriors - that you sometimes form a bond with your adversaries, and a respect that forgoes any desire or reason to kill.
@Centralist Australia You can fuck off, mate. This film acknowledges more than almost any other the unspoken bond between warriors. If you can't appreciate that, fuck off.
The best part is even the Zulu had great salute for their bravery in action & saluted them. This shows tremendous courage to do both fight & accept defeat graciously.
The Zulu's could afford to be gracious as they had defeated the British at the Battle of Isandlwana on the same day of the beginning of the Battle of Rorke's Drift. It was one of the few times when the British were defeated by a native army.
@@rancidnut7582 but in all honesty they weren't there to salute them but to appease the spirits of the fallen Zulu warriors, if it had happened in real life who knows
i watched this with my dad as well, he predicted this salute by the Zulus before the actor said it, i guess being in a war makes you more aware of that kind of thing
I saw this film as a young kid in the cinema in Botswana where I spent a few years of my childhood. Young as I was, it made an impression on me, the film and the event of seeing it. It was a pretty raucous affair in the cinema, but good natured. A very moving film, worth revisiting every few years.
As beautiful as it was seeing those Zulu warriors honor the British soldiers. The one scene that has a place in my heart was when that one Zulu warrior raised his iklwa.
These Zulu Warriors, even here, could've swooped down on them, and quite possibly killed them, but no! They chose to respect them, instead... And then, the Zulus left.
I remember watching this classic British movie at the pictures when I was young And this scene when the Zulus came back as stuck with me for over 50 years I remember thinking oh no the whole cinema gave out a sigh of relief when he said they are saluting you
I can’t believe how frightened the British were If this really happened,they had just fought off a 4000 strong Zulu army and now an even *LARGER* force has arrived and the soldiers were on their last legs and many expected this would be their end and just in a moment,the Zulu’s praise the British,god that must have been such an experience that could never be put down in words.
Unfortunately, the salute didn't actually happen; the Zulu army retreated because a British relief column had arrived, and they were in no shape to fight off a fresh cavalry force. It was just a nice touch the filmmakers added, to show a gesture of respect between two mighty warrior cultures.
Yas just can't accept that God and his children rule can yas! We are so sorry for yas! We know we are all one! Hoping and praying maybe one day yas can all join us as one! Endless love folks! 🙂😁🙏🏽❤
In the end, King Chetswayo knew he'd gotten everything he could get from the British on the battlefield. The victory at Isandlwana and the threat to Rorke's Drift were part of a diplomatic strategy to bring the British to the table to negotiate better terms for the Zulu Empire. It wasn't a bad plan, and it was worth a try, but it revealed an ignorance of British history. The next time a quick, stunning victory brings the Brits immediately to the negotiating table will be the very first. But to Chetswayo's credit, none of his other options had much more chance of working so it was still the best of a long litany of bad options.
@@josephharrison8354 Also the Zulu impi at Rorke Drift hadn't eaten in two days, together with Chelmsford's relief column approaching really forced the Zulus to withdraw.
This is one of the most classic movies I've ever seen. And I will always have respect for the zulu.Always, they were willing to fight and die for their land their people, their familys
In the book about this historic event. At the this battle the zulus had commented about the british:They fought like lions. So this ending salute was possible. The battle only took place because because some young warriors wanted to get their spears wet. Mainly because they didn't take part in the bigger battle of "islandanwana". And it wasn't a total slaughter they did retteat.
I love how the British army in this time earned the respect of so many cultures purely on the fact they don’t run. I mean here is and example and also the Gurkhas and Sikhs, now Gurkhas and Sikhs fight in the British army and make anyone who faces them really regret enlisting.
Respect to Zulu soldiers who fought for their freedom and the British soldiers recklessly brought into a war with little experience with the enemy. From an Ashanti who’s people fought for our freedom and country too 🫡
I remember watching this movie at age 10, and my heart sank at the sight of those Zulu. 'Oh, God, they've had it!' I thought. 'This is a nightmare! They'll never stop that charge!' Then they sang that salute, and I cried with relief. Best! Ending! EVER!! Prove me wrong!
The Zulus war chants and the way they reverberate through the valleys and hills in this movie are the most magnificent and warrior sounds in any movie ever made..
For me this is the best part of the film The zulus chanting always brings a lump to my throat and a smile on my face A great bit of directing and acting 😀
Such an amazing film this as it's not procolonial dogshit and actually pays tributes to the zulus as a tribe as it was a tribal historian, the mother of the actor who played the king of the zulus, himself the direct descendant of the real King Cetshwayo. Real zulus were used in the filming and when a white south African was racist on set he was promptly ejected from the site. A true testament to the kind of films that can be produced with respect for a tribal people that doesn't depict them as simpletons or savages.
It's actually "kush' uMdlampisi" "Mdlampisi says so". Mdlampisi directly translated means " He who feasts on hyenas" but I'm uncertain which Zulu king had this title or which era the hymn is from. It could be from King Cetshwayos reign.
Also a shame kids will never know why my dutch grandpa hated the british, not the Germans but the british invented the concentrationcamps for boer woman and children
Always remember this. We may each come from different cultures different backgrounds different families but must never forget that wether your the lowest native to the highest ranking general in an army. You always show respect to thoes who display perseverance in the face of impossible odds.
Absolute classic film and possibly one of the best war movies ever made...certainly in the top three. Try and watch the making off documentary "extra" on the DVD/Blue-Ray release.
I watch the last 15-20 min of this film at least a couple of times a year a great ending to a great film and considering the era when it was made it does a great job of showing that the Zulu were just as capable and brave as the European fighting men. By the way the full movie is available free of charge on TH-cam and is well worth watching
Michael Caine's acting in this scene is nothing short of brilliant. That laugh at recognizing the Zulus are saluting him isn't one of relief, its of everything he'd ever conditioned himself to be coming crashing down. After enduring hell, he was momentarily faced with the immediate prospect of absolute death, only for that to immediately change. No prestige or rank or title protects one from the randomness of conflict and fate. It's basically a mental breakdown, though not as overt. He's clearly traumatized from his first action and can do little but be amused at the absurdity of it all that the people that had thrown thousands of themselves to kill him suddenly want to show him "respect" in spite of the mass of bodies all around them.
This is a fabulous war movie scene, and I lost count of how many times I viewed this video. It is way different, however, from the actual ending of the battle of Rourke's Drift, when Zulus gathered some wounded warriors and retreated, upon seeing a British reinforcement of about 1200 men, coming to them at the crack of dawn some two miles away.
The Zulunians are trying to defend their Zulu Kingdom and Welish troops are trying to defend themselves so there's no villains or antagonists in this film.
When I first saw this movie I truly thought it was over when Color Sergeant Bourne was taking roll. When the Zulu’s came back and lined the hilltops I felt sick. I KNEW it was over. Then the Zulu’s began their salute. I felt like cheering..
Can you imagine Russian soldiers honoring Ukrainian soldiers as "fellow braves" while heading back to their homeland. I know it won't happen..but it would be a sight to see...
The film makes it seems like two honorable armies being respectful and honorable to each other. In reality the British were extremely upset at how the Zulu were merciless to their wounded, and so the British showed no mercy to the Zulu wounded. After the battle, the Zulu wounded were either killed or just straight dumped into the body pits. It wasn't two noble armies saluting each other. It was as dark as war gets.
@@el_iron_duke Neither the Zulus nor the British were native to Natal. The Zulus were just as imperialist as the British. Make no mistake, this was a clash of great empires.
This scene did not happen in real life however I believe this is a long overdue salute and respect for fellow braves performed by the descendants of Zulus who went to war in 1879 on behalf of their ancestors
just noticed something about one of my favourite films, a continuity glitch, in that long shot of the Zulus looking down on Rorke's Drift all the buildings are intact with no fire damage , but earlier in the battle the hospital sick bay wing and other buildings were burned to the ground and we see Michael Caine and Stanley Baker standing in the burned out ruins in their close ups. Just saying.
Although the mutual respect between the two opposing fighting forces is a theme in the movie, there was no "battlefield singing contest" between the British and the Zulus!
cpl Henry Hook Is buried not far from me. in the film he was portrayed as a drunken melingera, this was far from the truth he was a religious man and was teatotal. he was put in the hospital to guard the wounded. as history shows he did a first class job.
If Michael Caine had been Captain Bromhead, in real life, and this wasn’t acting, and he had listened more carefully, he would have heard the Zulu’s saying, first rank, cease fire, second rank, cease fire, thiird rank, cease fire”.
"They're saluting you. They're saluting fellow braves." One of the greatest scenes in any war film.
❤️
It is a great scene..but absolutely fictional sadly. Truth is hey decided not attack again and went home. A year later the Battle of Ulundi brought the Zulu nation down.
@@chrisbaker3066a year later? The war lasted 5 months..?
A pedant we are!! Rorkes drift Jan 1879/ Ulundi June 1879! A koala stamp is on it's way to your door..cherish it!@@MuhammadAli-hs5mn
@@tatumergo3931 if he isn't an English speaker that is
What I love about this film is the way the Zulu warriors are portrayed. Not as ignorant barbarians but as brave warriors fighting brave warriors from such an utterly different culture
The 1930s story version was a more triumphalist salute to the British Empire... After all, 11 Victorian Crosses were awarded to the English regiment (Welsh since 1881).
The impact is strong as ever as this is factual and this was one amazing day in history.. I had been there and done the Isandlwana walk with a historian and then after wards Rorkes Drift.. Its amazing to look back at this time in history... The Zulu is a very proud nation indeed and so are the Brits.
A lot of the Zulu casted were the descendants of those that actually fought there. Sounds like I'm joking but look it up. Incredible piece of cinema.
@@SmokeMyBees I did read that the Zulu chief was pleased how his people were portrayed in this film; a friend of mine who lived in South Africa told me many Zulus took their own lives rather than be subjected to white rule.....they were an incredibly proud, strong people. This film treated them as such.
I find it so sad these men had to fight each other...when they could, and should, have been friends.
There wasn't just Welsh and English at this battle there was also 16 Irish soldiers and Scots was few different nationalities from accross the British empire of the time@@phmwu7368. Amazing now Ireland is an independent country at time of this war the Irish were taking part in a lot of the campaigns. I am Irish I can't blame Irish of time joining the British army it was there only chance really at this time to have decent life and be able to live.
Of all the military films I have seen, not one has an ending that comes close to the emotional power and beauty (in song) that this one does. One of the most underrated war movies ever.
I understand what you're saying but I do think it has almost a cult following these days.
That’s true. Zulu should be right up there with the Longest Day. But there were some people that noticed what a great movie it is. My ninth grade history teacher being one of them. He played the whole movie for us in his history class.
ive never seen it and cant wait but your definatly overselling this film cause i have seen the last 25 mins...its not that amazing but it is definatly good...setlle down with best ever tho
What makes this film even cooler is the fact that the Zulu’s were played by the descendants of the warriors that fought that day. What a film, and for one about colonialism, does it as respectfully as one could expect
Stanley Baker became friends with the Zulu king.
He said Baker was the finest white man he'd ever known
Paul Seager that DAY?im pretty sure it lasted a few months or a year
And I think queen Victoria wanted something that they had
Agreed, I think the beauty of Zulu is that the film is from the perspective of the British soldiers who are fighting for survival against the Zulu who are fighting for their way of life. In other words the antagonists are not villains. Additionally, I always loved that whenever there is racist remark made, somebody puts the speaker in their place. All these are very uncommon aspects of epic colonial films from that decade.
@@gravenewworld6521
Did a FRANCO-ZULU WAR
ever happen?
did the ZULUS also faced a MIGHTY FRENCH EMPIRE also??
Honestly, this is the most powerful scene in any movie ever for me. The ultimate symbol of honor, respect, and bravery. This is a beautiful movie and the fact that it isn't better regarded is a serious sin.
Well Said Patrick 100% Agree With You!🤗👍👍👍💂🇬🇧
It gets 100% on rotten tomatoes..👍
Given how many times it has been referenced in films (The Two Towers, The Battle of Winterfell, Gladiator), you see this film is secretly beloved in Hollywood still, they just don't want to admit it
Ironically in the real battle the Zulu army saluting them never actually happened unfortunately.
However the Zulu actors that did it for the film, I like to believe were actually doing it to the original fighters there, I sort of long overdue recognition of fellow Bravery?
One of Micheal Caine’s best films.
Manliest ending of a film. Ever.
Explain? i watched film and confused
@@Padlockpiper You're not a man.
@@Padlockpiper the british outpost was incredibly outnumbered but still they fought on. The zulu recognized this and let their worthy adversaries live. Something people nowadays wouldnt understand.
@@Padlockpiper In short, they had honor
This world no respect anymore
The first time I saw this ending, I had tears in my eyes. One of the great contradictions of war and of warriors - that you sometimes form a bond with your adversaries, and a respect that forgoes any desire or reason to kill.
I cry every time I see it.
The respect on both sides never ceases to make me feel humble.
Great comment. Mutual respect in a mad situation. You do what you have to do.
@Centralist Australia You can fuck off, mate. This film acknowledges more than almost any other the unspoken bond between warriors. If you can't appreciate that, fuck off.
As beautiful as this scene is, the zulus never actually saluted them, the only reason they left was that the bits had reinforcements coming soon
@@lucidusfox7351 Don't be that guy, Luci. Don't be that guy.
The best part is even the Zulu had great salute for their bravery in action & saluted them. This shows tremendous courage to do both fight & accept defeat graciously.
Bashir Hayek. ITS HOLLYWOOD
Bashir Hayek unfortunately it did not happen in real life):
The Zulu's could afford to be gracious as they had defeated the British at the Battle of Isandlwana on the same day of the beginning of the Battle of Rorke's Drift. It was one of the few times when the British were defeated by a native army.
The zulus easily could have wiped out the brits at the end of the film. Especially with no more fortified buildings lol
@@rancidnut7582 but in all honesty they weren't there to salute them but to appease the spirits of the fallen Zulu warriors, if it had happened in real life who knows
Thank u, dad, for showing this film to me. Ever since i was a kid, i have a profound respect for both sides involved. Incredible ending.
U crazy lol this a film trust me it didnt go that way
i watched this with my dad as well, he predicted this salute by the Zulus before the actor said it, i guess being in a war makes you more aware of that kind of thing
@@1NatureGod yes. Im fully aware it didnt actually go this way. But it was factually a brutal battle and both sides fought valiantly.
Same
It feels like when you playing any game and you win and the other team says "gg" and your team says "gg" too.
😂 fucking brilliant 👏
I saw this film as a young kid in the cinema in Botswana where I spent a few years of my childhood. Young as I was, it made an impression on me, the film and the event of seeing it. It was a pretty raucous affair in the cinema, but good natured. A very moving film, worth revisiting every few years.
As beautiful as it was seeing those Zulu warriors honor the British soldiers. The one scene that has a place in my heart was when that one Zulu warrior raised his iklwa.
1:27 Always loved Caine's performance here, showing someone who is exhausted but is determined to fight again.
Their singing still gives me chills every time I watch this.
These Zulu Warriors, even here, could've swooped down on them, and quite possibly killed them, but no! They chose to respect them, instead...
And then, the Zulus left.
Wow!!! This is by far the most powerful scene in a movie I have ever seen. That Zulu chant gives me chills.
I have watched this epic movie many times ,since I was a child. This was one of my father's favorite movies. One hell of a great movie😊.
I can’t describe the emotion this chant makes me feel, but it’s awesome.
The zulu taunting saying in English "poor souls are brave"
Oh fuck that's what they are saying!!!
I have respect for a man who fights with his fists or rifle brave is brave
The respect we still have for each other is insane.
I remember watching this classic British movie at the pictures when I was young And this scene when the Zulus came back as stuck with me for over 50 years I remember thinking oh no the whole cinema gave out a sigh of relief when he said they are saluting you
This scene always puts a huge lump in my throat.
I'm sorry, im clearly missing something. Why?
@zexii lol they had guns😂
@@Padlockpiper then you really are a cretin
I can’t believe how frightened the British were If this really happened,they had just fought off a 4000 strong Zulu army and now an even *LARGER* force has arrived and the soldiers were on their last legs and many expected this would be their end and just in a moment,the Zulu’s praise the British,god that must have been such an experience that could never be put down in words.
Unfortunately, the salute didn't actually happen; the Zulu army retreated because a British relief column had arrived, and they were in no shape to fight off a fresh cavalry force. It was just a nice touch the filmmakers added, to show a gesture of respect between two mighty warrior cultures.
Yas just can't accept that God and his children rule can yas!
We are so sorry for yas!
We know we are all one!
Hoping and praying maybe one day yas can all join us as one!
Endless love folks! 🙂😁🙏🏽❤
In the end, King Chetswayo knew he'd gotten everything he could get from the British on the battlefield. The victory at Isandlwana and the threat to Rorke's Drift were part of a diplomatic strategy to bring the British to the table to negotiate better terms for the Zulu Empire.
It wasn't a bad plan, and it was worth a try, but it revealed an ignorance of British history. The next time a quick, stunning victory brings the Brits immediately to the negotiating table will be the very first. But to Chetswayo's credit, none of his other options had much more chance of working so it was still the best of a long litany of bad options.
@@josephharrison8354 Also the Zulu impi at Rorke Drift hadn't eaten in two days, together with Chelmsford's relief column approaching really forced the Zulus to withdraw.
Cinematic perfection. A film of great importance and significance. Far ahead of it's time and tragically underrated.
This is one of the most classic movies I've ever seen. And I will always have respect for the zulu.Always, they were willing to fight and die for their land their people, their familys
In the book about this historic event. At the this battle the zulus had commented about the british:They fought like lions. So this ending salute was possible. The battle only took place because because some young warriors wanted to get their spears wet. Mainly because they didn't take part in the bigger battle of "islandanwana". And it wasn't a total slaughter they did retteat.
"Isandlwana" sir
I love how the British army in this time earned the respect of so many cultures purely on the fact they don’t run. I mean here is and example and also the Gurkhas and Sikhs, now Gurkhas and Sikhs fight in the British army and make anyone who faces them really regret enlisting.
The sikhs are legit badasses.
My father served alongside Gurkhas in north Africa. He had great respect for their character and courage
@@hagamapamafr
What a film, and what a cast. My favourite was Hooky.
Yes he was great
The welshmen made me laugh
Respect to Zulu soldiers who fought for their freedom and the British soldiers recklessly brought into a war with little experience with the enemy. From an Ashanti who’s people fought for our freedom and country too 🫡
The look on Michael Caine's face when he sees the Next wave of Zulu Warriors on the Hill!🤨💂🏞️🇬🇧🇿🇦
I remember watching this movie at age 10, and my heart sank at the sight of those Zulu. 'Oh, God, they've had it!' I thought. 'This is a nightmare! They'll never stop that charge!' Then they sang that salute, and I cried with relief. Best! Ending! EVER!! Prove me wrong!
@@TheAKgunner Well Said Wonderful Moment A Beautiful Way To End A Marvellous Film A Credit To The Late Sir Stanley Baker 1927-1976!🤗👍💂🏞️🏴🇬🇧🇿🇦
I wonder if he felt that way when he saw the Chinese soldiers coming at him when he was in the Korean War?
Timeless. I return to it every once in awhile for this scene alone.
This world doesn't understand respect anymore
Like the British, you have to earn respect.
Lucky karma not a thing
The Zulus never would have used bombs.
The Zulus war chants and the way they reverberate through the valleys and hills in this movie are the most magnificent and warrior sounds in any movie ever made..
For me this is the best part of the film The zulus chanting always brings a lump to my throat and a smile on my face A great bit of directing and acting 😀
Dude my grandad had this on VHS back in the day I used to watch this movie all the time what a powerful ending to the film.
One of the best films of all time, no shit.
Such an amazing film this as it's not procolonial dogshit and actually pays tributes to the zulus as a tribe as it was a tribal historian, the mother of the actor who played the king of the zulus, himself the direct descendant of the real King Cetshwayo. Real zulus were used in the filming and when a white south African was racist on set he was promptly ejected from the site. A true testament to the kind of films that can be produced with respect for a tribal people that doesn't depict them as simpletons or savages.
Gives me chills every time. The quality of this video is better than what I have on DVD. I need to remedy that.
Brilliant movie from start to finish
Outstanding.
Thanks Stanley for doing this. Know it was a financial struggle to do it oh so this perfect.
🙂👍🏴🇿🇦💖
The song "usho ungapheli" means " you do not finish".
It's actually "kush' uMdlampisi" "Mdlampisi says so". Mdlampisi directly translated means " He who feasts on hyenas" but I'm uncertain which Zulu king had this title or which era the hymn is from. It could be from King Cetshwayos reign.
Nice of them....
Such a shame the youth of today will never watch this brilliant movie, no CGI here kids, move on...
I introduced my three sons to this movie and they loved it but they are a bit older all in their 20s
It's not the cgi that would set off kids, it's the subject matter. Colonialism that isn't strictly villanization.
My dad showed this to me a couple of weeks ago.
It’s a beautiful film that has show bravery on both sides. I’m sad I hadn’t watched it earlier
I'm 19 n seen this great film
Also a shame kids will never know why my dutch grandpa hated the british, not the Germans but the british invented the concentrationcamps for boer woman and children
Always remember this. We may each come from different cultures different backgrounds different families but must never forget that wether your the lowest native to the highest ranking general in an army. You always show respect to thoes who display perseverance in the face of impossible odds.
From what I have read, this ending did not actually occur in real life - but I still like that they do this in the movie.
Absolute classic film and possibly one of the best war movies ever made...certainly in the top three. Try and watch the making off documentary "extra" on the DVD/Blue-Ray release.
I watch the last 15-20 min of this film at least a couple of times a year a great ending to a great film and considering the era when it was made it does a great job of showing that the Zulu were just as capable and brave as the European fighting men. By the way the full movie is available free of charge on TH-cam and is well worth watching
Magnificent looking people
Watching it on tv right now... for the 100th time!
Honor amongst warriors.
Salute the fellow braves of Rorke's Drift, great film.
They show their backs but protect it with shields. Warrior’s respect.
It was a guarded respect. I turn my back to you but my shield remains facing you because I don't want to insult you.
Sure, and you know this because ...?
I love this film
Michael Caine's acting in this scene is nothing short of brilliant. That laugh at recognizing the Zulus are saluting him isn't one of relief, its of everything he'd ever conditioned himself to be coming crashing down. After enduring hell, he was momentarily faced with the immediate prospect of absolute death, only for that to immediately change. No prestige or rank or title protects one from the randomness of conflict and fate. It's basically a mental breakdown, though not as overt. He's clearly traumatized from his first action and can do little but be amused at the absurdity of it all that the people that had thrown thousands of themselves to kill him suddenly want to show him "respect" in spite of the mass of bodies all around them.
Absolute classic...just how a battle film should be made...no cgi,great cast and amazing musical score.
This is my favourite film ever, for all the reasons given by others here. Some great acting throughout and showed respect to both sides.
Such a great movie. I study and learned african culture. I have a ethopian daughter now 😎😁
Such Honorable Zulu Warriors..yours very truly Alfonso Cantu
This is a fabulous war movie scene, and I lost count of how many times I viewed this video. It is way different, however, from the actual ending of the battle of Rourke's Drift, when Zulus gathered some wounded warriors and retreated, upon seeing a British reinforcement of about 1200 men, coming to them at the crack of dawn some two miles away.
What a great movie!! It chokes you up!! 🥺 This movie is when I developed a crush on Michael Cain as a child!! 😍
50000 zulus showed up at the end with rifles and had all the tools to win the whole tlme ....but instead saluted them...
Classy....
This is like when you're badly down on material in chess but manage to force a draw.
God I love these actors so great
Sabaton's Rorke's Drift made me watch the movie and man is it good.
Beautiful.
*The majestic soundtrack makes this movie special*
"Those bastards, their taunting us, you couldn't be more wrong, their saluting you, their saluting fellow braves"
Unironically this film made in 1964 is more respectful of African culture than the Black Panther films.
Does anyone know if there is a recording of just the final Zulu chant at the end of the film? I would love to have it for my own collection.
@David Walton I'll check it out. Thanks.
One of the most moving scenes ever, especially as a true story.
The Zulunians are trying to defend their Zulu Kingdom and Welish troops are trying to defend themselves so there's no villains or antagonists in this film.
Villains will be the British elites who send their countrymen to die for their own greed. So yeah the antagonists weren't actually shown in the movie.
Careful, youtube might disappear your account for saying something smart and possibly controversial.
I mean yes considering the Zulu are defending their kingdom but they attacked a hospital/storehouse same goes for the British
@@el_iron_duke the right term is both Zulu and British Elites are Villains they sent the soldiers to death by their greed and power
@@burningspud It was neither smart nor controversial.
Beautiful!!!
This is probably the only film that both sides respect the other in war
Gettysburg is another.
One of those movies that leaves a lasting impression, when Epic films were made.
When I first saw this movie I truly thought it was over when Color Sergeant Bourne was taking roll. When the Zulu’s came back and lined the hilltops I felt sick. I KNEW it was over. Then the Zulu’s began their salute. I felt like cheering..
If only Russia 🇷🇺 could be this noble to Ukraine 🇺🇦 in 2022.
Can you imagine Russian soldiers honoring Ukrainian soldiers as "fellow braves" while heading back to their homeland.
I know it won't happen..but it would be a sight to see...
@@mlizarburu That’s because they have no honor.
When they made movies.
Respect between worthy adversaries
Anyone know what the grey button up vests they wore are called
I get chills everytime they start singing...
The film makes it seems like two honorable armies being respectful and honorable to each other. In reality the British were extremely upset at how the Zulu were merciless to their wounded, and so the British showed no mercy to the Zulu wounded. After the battle, the Zulu wounded were either killed or just straight dumped into the body pits. It wasn't two noble armies saluting each other. It was as dark as war gets.
War brings out the worst in human behaviour... regardless of who is involved. This noble glorious stuff is just bullshit.
3:48...iconic shot.
Neither side are the bad guys, brilliant film.
The bad guys would be the British elites who sent their own countrymen to fight for their own greed. So yeah the bad guys weren't shown in the film.
@@el_iron_duke it's more nuanced than that.
@@prophetic0311 it's 2021, nuance is a thing of the past.
@@el_iron_duke Neither the Zulus nor the British were native to Natal. The Zulus were just as imperialist as the British. Make no mistake, this was a clash of great empires.
Hooky and the sergeant major were great parts played
This scene did not happen in real life however I believe this is a long overdue salute and respect for fellow braves performed by the descendants of Zulus who went to war in 1879 on behalf of their ancestors
It must have been incredible to film this… ❤
Highly recommended movie.
Even though this didnt happen in the real battle, it is a nice addition
just noticed something about one of my favourite films, a continuity glitch, in that long shot of the Zulus looking down on Rorke's Drift all the buildings are intact with no fire damage , but earlier in the battle the hospital sick bay wing and other buildings were burned to the ground and we see Michael Caine and Stanley Baker standing in the burned out ruins in their close ups. Just saying.
It's only 60 odd years old
Although the mutual respect between the two opposing fighting forces is a theme in the movie, there was no "battlefield singing contest" between the British and the Zulus!
Two colonial powers fight to a bloody standstill. Now imagine if the Zulus had guns and the British had more men.
The most manly ending to any movie
If there's Honor in War this is it.
Awesome movie!
Zulus were great warriors and great warriors pay respect
To think 2024 is the 60th anniversary of this film!!! 😊😊😊
cpl Henry Hook Is buried not far from me. in the film he was portrayed as a drunken melingera, this was far from the truth he was a religious man and was teatotal. he was put in the hospital to guard the wounded. as history shows he did a first class job.
If he wasn't religious before the battle, he certainly would have been after!
"YOU'RE ALL GOING TO DIIIIEEE!" - The crazed preacher.
what was the song the zulus where singing ?
If Michael Caine had been Captain Bromhead, in real life, and this wasn’t acting, and he had listened more carefully, he would have heard the Zulu’s saying, first rank, cease fire, second rank, cease fire, thiird rank, cease fire”.
The magnificent descendants in the land of their forefathers of 10 thousand generations.
2:32 hello ptsd