Battle on the big screen
Some films are made to be viewed on the big screen. It is a pure and simple cinematic law that big films need big screens. Anything but, and the enormity of the film's presence is lost. Zulu is such a film. During the Cardiff Screen Festival audiences will be given the chance to admire and marvel, as Zulu will return to the big screen.The National Screen and Sound Archive is drawing attention to the film as part of the 40th anniversary commemorations of one of the most iconic films of British Cinema. The Archive will be hosting a full-length screening of Zulu, back where the film belongs - on the big cinematic screen. The screening will take place on the 16th of November at Cardiff UGC Cinema, as part of the Cardiff Screen Festival. After the screening a panel of distinguished guests, including Lady Ellen Baker, Stanley Baker's widow, will discuss the film's impact along with the importance of its iconic imagery.
Filmed in 1964, the film follows the defence of Rorke's Drift in 1879 by 105 men of the South Wales Borderers (B Company 2nd Battalion) hopelessly outnumbered against the 4,000 Zulu warriors of Chief Cetewayo. The bravery of the Welsh Battalion touches the heart of their fearless enemy. Starring Baker, the film also marks one of the first appearances of Michael Caine. Stanley Baker's widow, Lady Ellen recalls Caine's nerves during shooting, "He spent his entire time on the film worrying about the sack... all the way through there were telegrams arriving asking that he be dismissed but Stanley and Cy Endfield wanted to introduce a new actor to the screen. They knew even from the test that Michael was right".
Forty years on the film proves as popular as ever, yet is rarely seen on the big screen. Viewed in its glory, Baker and Cy Endfield's direction successfully conveys to the audience the sense of growing apprehension as the Welsh soldiers square up to the overwhelming impossibility of their task, the sense of impending doom with the presence of Cetewayo's vast army poised to attack.
Notes:
The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales
Zulu.
Cardiff Screen Festival: 16/11/2004 7.30pm
Cardiff UGC Cinema
Tickets: £5
Tickets available from 02920 304400
Press Contact: Llinos Medi Jones lmj@llgc.org.uk 01970 632 534