ZULU WARS (1997, produced by the BBC for the Learning Channel, narrated by John Hurt)

This 3-part series tracing the history of the Zulu people during their most turbulent and formative years is exceptional for its epic quality, covering the rise and fall of King Shaka up to the conclusion of the Anglo-Zulu war.

While there are aspects of this series that are rather eccentric, such as including descriptions of Zulu sexual quirks and Shaka’s inclination to sexual cruelty, ZULU WARS is an excellent companion piece to the previously reviewed documentaries also carried by Belle&Blade Video (LINE OF FIRE: RORKE’S DRIFT, THE WAR AGAINST THE ZULUS and BLACK AS HELL, THICK AS GRASS).

John Hurt is an accomplish narrator. It’s amazing how much a good narrator adds to the success of a documentary. Just try watching a documentary with a mediocre voice-over and you will immediately discern the difference. Hurt’s voice is subtle and he sounds genuinely interested in the subject matter without being over-bearing.

There is much use of re-enactment in this series, including the massacres at Isandlwana and the heroic defense of Rorke’s Drift. These scenes are quite thrilling in their own way, with only the occasional reminder that the people on camera are not actors.

The fascination with the Anglo-Zulu war continues to this day with a constant stream of new material emerging. Perhaps it is because it is one of the last great conflicts between the ‘civilized world’ and an ancient culture. The clash between military styles is compelling because it was by no means cut and dried, with superior weaponry automatically winning out over spears and shields. The courage and military tact of the Zulus led to their over-whelming first victory in the Isandlwana massacre. It was not just British blunder and ignorance.

Anyone taken with the great film ZULU and the almost-as-good follow-up ZULU DAWN will be drawn to the documentaries about the conflict that Belle&Blade carries. Nowhere else can you find such a complete selection of military material on video. Fictional representations and related documentaries are a satisfying blend for history and military buffs. There is no better source than Belle&Blade Video. www.belleandblade.com

Jon Ted Wynne