| Date | Original Topic |
| 3rd March 2002 | Pte Hook V.C.
By CLIVE DICKENS
Can anyone tell me if the decendants of Pte A .H .Hook VC. ever protested in the way he was portrayed in the film Zulu? in the film we all know he was made out to be a malingerer and bad soldier why they did this I do not understand because he was exactly the opposite he was we know illiterate but then in those days this was not uncommon, but in all he was a very good and brave soldier, and did not deserve to be potrayed in this way |
| Date | Replies |
| 3rd March 2002 | Diana Blackwell
Past discussions of this topic can be found on
p. 14, 2/17/01, and p. 4, 1/8/02. |
| 3rd March 2002 | Martin Everett
Dear Clive,
Much has been written on this site about the feature films produced about Rorke's Drift and Isandhlwana. Sir Stanley Baker at the press showing of 'Zulu' did make the point that certain elements of the story had to be changed in order to secure the necessary financial backing for the film. And he did apologise for this. It is a fact that all movies have to set out to be commercial successes. The truth often gets obscured. What is a fact is that Henry Hook is remembered today. He is the only Private soldier from Rorke's Drift to have a brass memorial tablet in Brecon Cathedral. He was highly respected by his comrades in the 24th. |
| 4th March 2002 | Arthur Bainbridge
I'm sure Hooky would like toi be remembered like that a loveable rogue.The fact that not all the defenders liked reach other just makes them human,how many people like all their work colleagues. |
| 4th March 2002 | CLIVE DICKENS
Martin &Diana,
Thank you for your inforamative comments, they are much appreciated, but Arthur I spent 27 years in the British army and I can tell uou that soldiers like James Booth depicted Pte Hook VC, are a compleat pain in the backside and are far from the loveable rogues you seem to think they are, and I dont believe for one moment, Pte Hook would have been very pleased at the way he was portrayed. |
| 4th March 2002 | Dave
Interesting, I visited Monmouth a few years ago and the local city guide did mention, that Hooks desendants refused to view the local screening of the film because of the way his character was portrayed in the film. The same source did mention he did have a weakness for the ladies and that the army offered him an escape from an ill judge relationship. I am aware of his financial difficulties etc and tend to think of this as no more than gossip, whatever, as far as i can see, myself and the viewing public universally
love Booth's portrayal of Hook....What Hook would make of it i'm not sure, but spinning in his grave seems to apply here |
| 6th March 2002 | Arthur Bainbridge
Your probably right about the pain in the backside soldier(you were very polite) but I'm sure every regiment has one.I think the film makers put all types of heroes in the film. I guess we will never know what Hook thought. Thanks for defending my freedom Clive. |
| 6th March 2002 | Eddie Saunders
I wouldn't have even known of Hook or Bromhead or what "Rorke's Drift" was if it hadn't been for watching the film Zulu. If by means of it's "poetic licence" it is keeping the names of these men alive in our memories then it's not all bad is it? Let's face it, if you ask an average person in the street to name a VC winner the chances of getting the name of a Rorkes Drift defender must be fairly high compared to say, someone who fought on the Somme or in Normandy. |
| 7th March 2002 | Arthur Bainbridge
Well said Eddie the film creates a mythology and when its truth or legend tell the legend.Their glory will never fade.The heroes of rorkes drift inspire loads of people today. |
| 7th March 2002 | Diana Blackwell
Clive,
Actually I think the film conveys the idea that Hook was a pain. But that was the point. He was there against his will and his malingering was a form of passive resistance. You're probably right when you say the real Hook wouldn't have been pleased with such a portrayal. Fortunately, that doesn't make the movie character any less attractive. He is much loved, as Dave correctly observes.
Eddie, I totally agree with you.
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