Zulu (1964) - The Top Standard For Practical Action!

It’s quite common to hear film fanatics say that practical effects and action has become less of an art in recent years. And it’s easy to see why. Action films and particularly war films feel far less gritty and tangible in recent years. This is primarily down to the increase in computer generated effects, and less focus on making the audience feel like what they’re seeing on screen was captured for real. Some films do escape this trope such as Sam Mendes’ 1917 and Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk. But when you look at most action orientated films, it doesn’t feel as impactful as films from the past. And one key example would be the 1964 British war epic, Zulu!

This film does something that many films in recent years fail to do. And that’s make the events on screen feel real, and sell the fact that these events are all happening for real. And that’s because it was! Unlike modern films were CGI is a primary element in action films, every single action in this film was performed for real. Gun shots, charging armies, entire buildings burning to the ground, it’s all done for real. Having everything done for real sells the event far more. Audiences aren’t stupid, and can tell when something was actually done, and when something was clearly digital trickery.

This also helps raise the performances of this cast, which really sells each individual soldier’s intentions and emotions. From the late James Booth’s non damn’s given attitude as Hooky, to Michael Caine’s conflicted and incredible breakout role as Bromhead. Each performance feels genuine, and sells each actor as their respective character. This is another problem you can find in not just modern action films, but modern films in general. While actors today do a generally good job acting, not enough is done to differentiate them from who they actually are. Think of how many times you’ve addressed a character by the actor playing them. The closest I got to this with Zulu was our lead, Stanley Baker, but that was more due to him looking very similar to a young John Cleese, rather than recognising the actor himself.

Putting aside the stunts and action, this film is beautiful to look at. Stephen Dade’s sublime cinematography establishes a vibrant and beautiful colour pallet for South Africa, while John Barry’s booming music adds an extra gravitas to the drama. It was also a very nice change to have the editing be a lot slower in parts. Letting certain moments and shot linger for a little longer, building more tension and giving the audience plenty of time to take in what’s on screen. Again, this is something modern film makers forget, with many films now relying on fast rapid cuts, leading to most action sequences being close to enduring seizures!

Overall, Zulu is the perfect war film, and definitely one of the greatest British films ever produced. While modern classics like 1917 and Dunkirk have their positions in history when it comes to modern cinematic grandeur, films like Zulu has proven to entertain for generations over the last 57 years, and will continue to do so. If you find yourself getting bored of modern action films, put this classic on, and see what real action film making should look like!

SCORES

Story: 5/5

Characters: 5/5

Production: 5/5

Acting: 5/5

Music: 5/5

Total: 10/10! - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!