This film takes a look at the strategy and power play that went on prior to the Zulu Dawn raid that saw 1,500 British redcoats slaughtered by more than 25,000 Zulu warriors at the Battle of Islandlhwana. It demonstrates the superior British attitude and the inability of the British to allow other cultures to flourish except under their guidance.

Main Characters

Colonel Durnford-leader of Senegalese Calvary troop (Irish)

William Vercker-British African farmer

Lord Chelmsford-British nobility in charge of region

Cetshwayo-Zulu King

other characters

Norris Newman-journalist for the Dispatch

Colonel Hamilton-Brown

Sir Bartle Frere

Lt. Colonel Pulleine

Lt. Coghill

Lt. Harford

Major Russell

Lt. Melville

Quartermaster Sergeant

Africaneers are Dutch immigrants who have lived and settled this region over 200 years prior. Also called Boers.

Questions

1. Queen Victoria gives direct order about what will happen to the Zulus in a letter to Lord Chelmsford. What plans do Lord Chelmsford and Sir Bartle making that are contradictory to British instructions?

2. The NCO calls the native "show animals". What does this indicate about the attitude of the English towards the natives?

3. What can you tell about the social relationship between the officers when they meet William Vercker?

4. What does the Zulu King tell the Zulu messenger when told that the Queen is not allowed to kill her subjects?

5. Why do the Zulu "wish to fight?"

6. Why is the Quartermaster afraid of the Zulus?

7. What does Norris (the journalist) say about the question "why the attack?"

8. What is the Quartermaster's response to Lt. Harford's response after the Zulu's are lost in the water and the ammunition gets wet and he says, "something must be done."?

9. When the British first encounter the Zulus and the first Zulu is killed what does Norris say about him?

10. What does the Zulu king tell his warriors about why they must fight?

11. What is the name of the place that the British cannot even pronounce?

12. Why do the Zulus follow the white man?

13. What tactic do the Africaneer locals advise against the Zulus?

14. What is Lord Chelmsford afraid will happen if they chase the Zulu further into Zululand?

15. What is the one matter that is life and death to the Zulu?

16. What are the officers doing at the "road to Ulandi" that is contrary to what is going on around them?(hint: it is not battle related) They are doing the same thing at Islandlhwana.

17. Why will the Irishman not sit at the table with Lord Chelmsford?

18. Why do the Zulus pound their shields? (What effect does it have?)

19. In what way does the Quartermaster aid the enemy?(How is he distributing the ammo?)

20. What does the flag in the water foreshadow about the British Empire and their colonial holdings?