I've seen this movie countless times, I'm even old enough to remember seeing it in the theater when it was first released. It is a magnificent piece of cinema and, in my humble opinion, the greatest movie ever made. The acting, the driving music, the suspense, the action, this movie has it all and if you watch this on a big screen television you will have the feeling of being in the mix of the defenders. Regardless of the quality of the DVD, the movie is well worth watching. And as soon as a high-quality DVD comes out, I'm buying that one as well.

Probably wargame is a bad description... this is an epic classic film to be treated with due respect... NO REMAKE UP TO NOW means IT WAS RIGHT ON THE SPOT!,
but been a wargamer myself and having painted a lot of Zulus and 24th south wales borderers figures in 25mm... it rapidly comes to mind!
Once digested I AM INTERESTED IN THIS PARTICULAR MILITARY ACTION!

1) You can analyze the movie (after all that is why you are reading this?) and it starts a bit slow... builds tension... and the second part of the film IS GREAT ACTING!... as epics go it is one of my favorites and the cast and direction are superb... (the fillings on the teeth of Michael Caine are a bit ludicrous when shouting FIRE! in a close up first plan...) but well...
As a film really deserves the five stars. And I will stand my ground on it.

2) As a military action there ARE some mistakes in the uniforms used (which look better then the more recent red tunics on ZULU DAWN)... I seriously doubt about white helmets not been stained and badges removed... same as per the green facings of the 24th (too dark in the movie)... The full dress tunic of lieutenant Chard (Stanley Baker) was not probably used on active service... and so on...
But the military tactics and proportions of compound are beautifully done... plus the fact of being shooted in Natal...
So, all considered still a solid five stars.

Resuming if you love epics or military action based films THIS IS A CLASSIC TO HAVE... once seen you'll probably skip the first part in subsequent viewing and go straight for the battle second part of the film!

ADB

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!