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'Zulu' gets the HD treatment
Martin Everett


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 786
Location: Brecon
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From 'The Western Mail' - 4th March 2008

ZULU is one of the first films to get a digital makeover. The classic Welsh hero epic, which stars and was co-produced by Ferndale's Stanley Baker, is to be re-mastered in high definition (HD).

It will be screened as part of Sky's Sir Michael Caine season to celebrate his 75th birthday later this month.

Meanwhile, Hollywood studios are working their way through their back catalogue to re-master classic films for high definition services and Blu-ray DVD, which offers improved sound and picture quality.
Sky plans to invest in accelerating the process for British films to make them suitable for its movie channels and akin to looking at "a restored painting".

The 1964 film, once voted the 37th best British fIlm, depicts the actions of around 140 soldiers of the Brecon based 24th Regiment of Foot - later the South Wales Borderers - as they defend the remote outpost of Rorke's Drift in Natal against 4,000 Zulu warriors in 1879.

Among the lines hammering home the Welsh connections are when soldier Jones 593 says to a newcomer, �This is a Welsh regiment, although there are some foreigners from England in it, mind� and the laments of Private Thomas, who, while looking wearily at the South African countryside, says,- �This country�s not a bit as good as Bala and the lake there. Not really green, like.�

There is also a rousing rendition of Men of Harlech. Baker plays Lieutenant John Chard, a gruff contrast to Caine's �I say, old boy� Gonville Bromhead, and it also stars Ivor Emmanuel, from Pontrhydyfen. The opening and closing narration is by Richard Burton.

Ian Lewis, director of Sky Movies, committed the company to investing in re-mastering the classics. He said, �Watching a classic title re-mastered in HD is like viewing a restored painting.�

The announcement comes four days after soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh celebrated St David�s Day at their Wiltshire base in the company of Chief Buthelezi, a Zulu leader whose ancestors were among those who fought the British at Rorke's Drift.

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Martin Everett
Brecon, Powys
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AMB


Joined: 07 Oct 2005
Posts: 921
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Oh, to have HD in Basra!

AMB
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Haydn Jones


Joined: 12 Jan 2006
Posts: 124
Location: Gloucester
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Scheduled for screening at 9.00pm this Sunday, 9 March, on Sky Screen 1HD (Ch.311). Imagine.........Michael Caine's fillings in glorious high definition.........Wink

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'Zulu' gets the HD treatment
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