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Date	Original Topic
15th April 2003	Zulu II By Mark Hobson It seems odd to me how so many people (see below) are aghast at the thought of a new film about Rorke's Drift. Several people I've spoken to over the years actually welcome the idea, nearly all saying that how much more accurate and realistic it could be, what with modern digital effects. A bigger budget does not mean a "kick ass" type of film. Okay, I know people are worried about what Hollywood would do to one of the greatest annals of British military history, but in my opinion they did a pretty good job with Saving Private Ryan and Enemy at the Gates, both equally daunting subjects. A new film would not necessarily be a remake of Zulu anyway, but simply a retelling of the same story. Is the reason why so many people are against the idea that it just might, Heaven forbid, be better than the original? I'm not knocking Zulu, I think it is a great film. What worries me is that after the current generation of Zulu War enthusiasts, who will follow? Are todays kids really interested in watching a film that is nearly 40 years old? So, if a new movie helps to keep the subject going for the next four decades, I for one think we should look forward to it.
Date	Replies
15th April 2003	Phil Read Mark I certainly agree that if it brought the story to a new generation then it must be of some benefit. If it was done well and with a reasonable degree of historical accuracy, then why not? Especially when one considered how good special effects are these days. However, the possible pitfalls are numerous. Just think how potentially awful it could be with the usual British toffs and oiks charicatures, invented love interest, and American actors doing their best 'Dick Van Dyke' British accents. It doesn't bear thinking about!
15th April 2003	Dave Nolan Yup 'they' did a pretty good job on 'Enemy At The Gates' - seeing as no such sniper duel between the two of them ever actually took place, so historically it was a non-starter - and two of the main actors were British, which helped...... So much depends on how well it would be done, a badly doone film could put off interest i the subject for forty years - and has ANYONE yet come up with verification that the project is under way as I have been unable to find anything to say it is - something we can all check the reliability of? Dave
15th April 2003	Richard Waters Saving Private Ryan was a good film about American soldiers, made by Americans. Enemy at the Gates was a good film about non-americans but it wasn't made by Americans as the former messages seem the imply it is. Enemy at the Gates was a European film. I am disgusted with the thought of Americans remaking Zulu because there is no possible way they can do it. They will romanticize every way possible and it will end up to be nothing like the actual event. An example being the remake of The Italian Job which is currently being made. All the main characters are American in the remake and they're setting it in bloody Los Angeles! It's a classic example of how Americans will ruin a truly brilliant film and an even better story. If it's going to be made at least have it made by someone who knows the story. Richard
15th April 2003	Mark Hobson Richard When I mention "Hollywood" I am of course using that term very loosely to imply the film industry in general. In my opinion, the Brits have allways being better at making films than our cousins over the pond. But money talks as they say, and the yanks have far more of it than us, so I assume that means most of the lead roles would go to American actors. However, lets not rubbish them all, because some are damn good actors. It would need careful, considerate casting (no Steven Seagal or Wesley Snipes for starters) plus a director of worth. Of course I knew this subject would get peoples heckles up. The question remains...why? I don't honestly think it is a fear of the results only, but a subconcious 'worry' as I said earlier, that the film might not be bad. Zulu is a fantastic film, but each time I watch it I am constantly aware of the historical mistakes in it. I long for a more accurate telling of the story of Rorke's Drift. So why not? Apart from rubbishing the American film industry, can anyone really give me a reasonable answer? I realize this might make me very unpopular!!!
15th April 2003	Richard Waters I'm all for a remake of Zulu. I'd love to do it myself if had the money. Just as long as it doesn't go to the Americans. They have never been that good at remakes because they tend to stick too much to the original film rather than fact. You wouldn't even need big name actors to do it properly. Take Lord of the Rings. It is not American made and it has few big name stars in it. Yet it is quickly becoming the greatest film series ever made. Don't get me wrong, I like American films and American actors but when it comes to making films based on true historical events from before the 20th century they just aren't that good at it. If they can't even do a decent portrayel of something from their own history, ie The Patriot, how could they possibly remake Zulu. Richard
16th April 2003	James Garland What have we got to lose if someone remakes Zulu. The original will still be there to watch if you prefer it. There is more than one film of Charge of The Lght Brigade and The Four Feathers. As for it being an American remake... Why not?.........do you remember the number of terrible Ealing studio films of the 50's and 60's. It was because we the British were such awful film makers that Holywood became pre eminent. Not all British films were bad but most were. We only remember the couple of dozen good ones now. There were hundreds of Ealing films that were absolutely rubbish.
23rd April 2003	Damien How about someone like Keanu Reeves as a sergeant?!!
23rd April 2003	Peter Critchley Just to put in my two-penneth... On a purely selfish note, each time Zulu is shown on TV we (like the national grid) experience a surge in interest. New people find the website, and learn more about the subject. I think the same would happen with any remake (but is there one being made??).. So, from my point of view, I think it's not a bad idea in principle, as James says, the original will always be there, and it will always be a great film. The need to engage the general populace in History is always there, and the fact remains that Film and Cinema are some of the best ways to achieve that.. Peter
24th April 2003	Nick Barsby Surely we are missing the point. The fact is that most British people (incorrectly in my view) have an aversion to our days of Empire. Most may be happy to view a re-show of "Zulu" seeing it as a good yarn in the mould of something from Kipling, but any thought or discussion hinting at Great Days of Empire will have them queing for the next anti war march. Of course the Americans don't need to have a British audience to make an American film. But that is exactly what it would be; no British steadying influence, and that, usually means a disaster!
25th April 2003	L.J.Knight. lets not kid ourselfs, or even get "precious" i for one would watch anything that has even the most tenuous link with the A.Z.W.one glimpse of a 24th uniform and i'm anybodys!.
26th April 2003	Lewis maybe the differecnce is that the film we want to could get European funding for a script pitch ' the brave men of England overcame against the odds of a tremendous army and betrayal by their own country' The American funded thing pitched to weinsteinor disney 'Story of bravery in the face of death, now theres 20 zibillion zulus(CGI's) headed this way..!!!' Out now Zulu 2 - this time chaps, lets make a dash for it!! Staring Hugh Grant & Anthony Hopkins. Send me a basic run of the events and I'll make a ten minute short hows that.
26th April 2003	Lewis maybe the differecnce is that the film we want to could get European funding for a script pitch ' the brave men of England overcame against the odds of a tremendous army and betrayal by their own country' The American funded thing pitched to weinsteinor disney 'Story of bravery in the face of death, now theres 20 zibillion zulus(CGI's) headed this way..!!!' Out now Zulu 2 - this time chaps, lets make a dash for it!! Staring Hugh Grant & Anthony Hopkins. Send me a basic run of the events and I'll make a ten minute short hows that.