Fun Trivia : Zulu

Structure Sub-topic of: Movies U-Z Quizzes Interesting Questions, Facts and Information There are a total of 20 general entries.

Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information

Zulu

Zulu portrays which famous action?

Zulu


The Defence of Rorke's Drift. The heroic stand at Rorke's Drift, 22nd-23rd January 1879, followed on the heels of the disaster at Isandhlwana, 22nd January 1879. However many now try to belittle the action it is still an example of discipline and courage in the face of odds.



In 'Zulu' the reporting of more than one disaster in a day upsets who at breakfast?

Zulu


Civilians. The exact exchange is:- Chard - 'I don't think so Mr.Witt, the Army doesn't like more than one disaster in a day.' Bromhead - 'It looks bad in the newspapers and upsets civilians at their breakfast.'



Who plays Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead in 'Zulu'?

Zulu


Michael Caine. The role of Bromhead gave Michael Caine his first starring role, helping to establish him as an upcoming star. The story goes that the producers only chose him because they had run out of time in choosing an actor to play this central role.



Shortly after arriving on scene in 'Zulu' Adendorff asks Bromhead who he thinks are coming to wipe out his command. Who does he mention?

Zulu


The Grenadier Guards. Although Adendorff is portrayed at Rorke's Drift there is no record of him being there during the battle. He was reported as arriving but it seems no further mention of him was made in regards to the defence.



What term does Adendorff use to describe the Zulu formation in the film 'Zulu'?

Zulu


Fighting Bull Buffalo. The buffalo's head moves forward. As the enemy advances the head deploys to form the animal's encircling horns. The enemy are drawn in on the loins as the horns close behind them. The enemy are then finished.



Which song do the defenders sing in 'Zulu'?

Zulu


Men of Harlech. Although there are no records of singing from either side during the battle at Rorke's Drift, it adds to the cinematic effect. These actions serve the purpose of showing the resolution of the defenders.



Which Regiment (1879) are portrayed in the film 'Zulu'?

Zulu


24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot. The 24th Regiment of Foot were formed in March 1689, as Sir Edward Derring's Regiment of Foot. In 1751 they became the 24th Regiment of Foot. In 1782 they were localised as the 24th (2nd Warwicksire) regiment of Foot. The Regiment became the South Wales Borderers in 1881. The Regiment are now part of The Royal regiment of Wales.



During the Roll of honour in 'Zulu' Hook is carving his name, what does he use for this task?

Zulu


an Assegai. Henry Hook, Private, B Company, 24th Regiment of Foot, won a VC for his part in the defence of the hospital at Rorke's Drift, and the rescue of patients from the burning building. The role of Hook was played by James Booth in the film 'Zulu'.



Ulla Jacobsson played the part of who in 'Zulu'?

Zulu


Margareta Witt. The Witts were the missionaries whose station of Rorke's Drift, became the centrepiece of the famous action. Jack Hawkins played Margareta's father Otto Witt, giving a fine performance.



During 'Zulu's' bridge building sequence how many men does Corporal Allan say he can defend the site with?

Zulu


6. Corporal Allen says he could anchor a pont midstream and defend against trouble with 6 riflemen. Lieutenant Chard says he can handle the situation, and orders the men back to the mission station.



Who narrates the opening and closing scenes of the movie?

Zulu


Richard Burton. The opening scene shows the desolation of the British camp at Isandhlwana. Apart from a very few who escaped the slaughter, almost the entire column was wiped out. The casualties were estimated at: British military - 858, Natal Native Contingent - 471, total - 1,329 and Zulus - 3,000.



How many Victoria Crosses were awarded for the defence of Rorke's Drift?

Zulu


11. This was the highest ever number of VCs awarded in a single engagement, still standing at the end of the 20th century. They were awarded to: Lieutenant J.R.M. Chard, Royal Engineers; Lieutenant G. Bromhead, 24th Foot; Surgeon J.H. Reynolds, Army Medical Department; Acting Assistant Commissary J.L. Dalton, Commissariat & Transport Department; Corporal 1240 W.W. Allan, 24th Foot; Private 1362 F. Hitch, 24th Foot; Private 1373 A.H. Hook, 24th Foot; Private 716 R. Jones, 24th Foot; Private 593 W. Jones, 24th Foot; Private 1395 J. Williams (Fielding), 24th Foot; Corporal F.C. Schiess, Natal Native Contingent.



What does Lieutenant Chard say he has come to Rorke's Drift to do?

Zulu


To build a bridge.. Lieutenant John Rouse Merriott Chard was a junior Royal Engineer officer who returned from the main British column to Rorke's Drift. His task was to secure the pontoon bridge situated there, in order that the British expeditionary force would have a crossing point on the Buffalo River.



Before the battle Colour Sergeant Bourne says "A prayer is as good as a _______ on a day like this." What did he believe was as good as a prayer?

Zulu


A bayonet. Colour Sergeant Bourne was only 24 years old at the time of Rorke's Drift, reputedly the youngest Colour Sergeant in the British Army. He went on to have an very successful military career, eventually being promoted Lieutenant Colonel following The Great War. He was the longest living of the Rorke's Drift defenders passing away at the age of 91 on 8 May 1945 - VE Day.



Who played the parts of the Senior Non-commissioned Officers (Colour Sergeant Bourne, Sergeant Maxfield and Sergeant Windridge) in the movie?

Zulu


Nigel Green, Paul Daneman, Joe Powell. Nigel Green starred again with Michael Caine in "The Ipcress File" in 1965. Joe Powell was a stunt co-ordinater for "The Man Who Would Be King" (1975) starring Michael Caine and "The Last Grenade" (1970) starring Stanley Baker.



Which studios were used for the filming of "Zulu"?

Zulu


Twickenham. Much of the movie was filmed on location in Natal, South Africa but the studio used was at Twickenham in South West London.



The movie was directed by Cy Endfield, but who produced it?

Zulu


Stanley Baker. Stanley Baker not only produced "Zulu", he also invested a considerable amount of his own money into the production as he was unable to raise sufficient funding.



What medical ailment was 'slovenly soldier' and 'barrack room lawyer', Private Hook malingering in the infirmary with?

Zulu


A boil. In actuality Private Henry 'Harry' Hook was a model soldier and teetotal. He was later promoted Sergeant.



What does Lieutenant Bromhead offer to do, when Adendorff of the Natal Native Contingent tells him Zulu Impis are on their way to Rorke's Drift?

Zulu


Deploy the company and ambush the Zulus in the passes.. In the movie he suggests ambush. In reality Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead was already preparing to evacuate the sick using the wagons. On the advice of Acting Assistant Commissary James Dalton, that they would be overrun and slaughtered, it was decided instead to hold a defensive position. Dalton was also involved in planning the defence and was wounded at the barricade walls whilst saving another man's life. His efforts were not immediately recognised and he didn't receive his Victoria Cross until some considerable time after the events.



According to Lieutenant Bromhead how many men did Lieutenant Chard have at his disposal for the defence of Rorke's Drift?

Zulu


181. His actual line from the movie is: "Seven officers including surgeon, commissaries and so on. Adendorff now I suppose; wounded and sick 36, fit for duty 97 and about 40 native levies. Not much of an army for you." At the real battle the roll sheets indicate the total strength at 139.