In the early 19th century, the British began expanding their empire beyond the South African colonies. As they made their way up the continent's southeastern coast, they encountered a formidable enemy: Shaka Zulu, the most powerful king in that region and founder of the Zulu empire.
Shaka had come to rule his people by being the strongest, more fearless warrior of the tribe -- and he had no intention of allowing the English to achieve their colonialist goals... even if he had to die stopping them.
(20 votes)
2.
South African director William C. Faure (who died in 1994) originally created Shaka Zulu as a 1983 miniseries broadcast in the U.K. Later released for theaters, this is the best-known biography of, and certainly one of the longest narratives about, the legendary Zulu warrior-king, Shaka. The story follows Shaka's life in detail from his illegitimate birth around 1787 to a commoner, Nandi, through his tormented childhood at the Zulu court. Virtually disowned by his father Senzangakhona, the scrawny and introverted Shaka grows into a tall, commanding presence played by Henry Cele (The Ghost and the Darkness and The Light in the Jungle). Cele's subtle but powerful performance is fundamental to the impact of this epic--which, though slow here and there, commands our attention and humanizes the legend of Shaka appealingly. After proving himself a worthy warrior and rising in the ranks of a necessarily more militant society, Shaka lends his influential support to King Dingiswayo who unifies the Zulu Nation under the domination of his Mthethwa tribe. At Dingiswayo's death, Shaka accedes to the Zulu throne from which he expands the Zulu empire through successive military successes over all of Natal (today, KwaZulu-Natal). Faure's story is distinct from other pre-apartheid accounts of Shaka's life in its positive retelling of the Zulu Nation's rise to dominance in western South Africa and in its admixture of military and personal history. In this account, Shaka is not merely the intangible father of a nation but a common man whose life both challenged and taught him to lead. --Erik Macki
(19 votes)
3.
Original Full-Length Feature
Shaka Zulu is the powerful true story of tribal Africa during the turbulent 19th century. This critically acclaimed story follows the life of Shaka, a powerful and mighty Zulu leader, as he grows up to fulfill an ancient tribal prophecy, uniting his people into a bold new nation. Shaka is driven by extraordinary intelligence, courage, astounding physical ability and an immortal stance, leading his proud warriors in their quest to be one people, one power, one empire!
Shaka Zulu is a sweeping epic dealing with the emerging European colonial expansion and migration to the mysterious continent of Africa. Set against the spectacular panorama of the Zulu tribal homelands, this complex and compelling adventure depicts the clash of two cultures, two worlds.
A first rate cast, starring Henry Cele, Edward Fox, Trevor Howard and Christopher Lee, combined with superior direction and camerawork, bring the story of Shaka Zulu to life in this chilling, realistic, full scale production. It is a story set 200 years ago , but it is also a story of today.
(19 votes)
Mooviees.com is not the official site for this film.
All editorial views and opinions expressed here are for entertainment purposes only.
Movie Database
In Theaters
