I had a part time job in the cinema at RAF Khormaksar, in Aden when Zulu reached us late 64, early 65. There was not a lot to do there so we would watch almost anything but ZULU filled the place out. Initially we only had it for three days but we managed to get it again a few weeks later and ran it for a week. The place was packed out every performance, (two a night). The biggest take since Lawrence of Arabia, the year before. Incidentally lad I knew told me that they were still showing that film to the cadets at Sandhurst over 20 years later as part of the Tactics instruction course. PS - there was a glaring divergence from reality in the film. The real hero was James Langley Dalton who only got his VC a year or so after the rest due to a Public Campaign. In reality he was nothing like the character shown in the film. He was a former SNCO in the British Army, living is South Africa at the time who volunteered for service. He was the experienced Soldier at Rorks Drift.
I'd imagine there's a conflict of interest mate. I can't imagine big money being offered outside of America to produce the story either, and Hollywood would ruin anything British... they'd change it to the Navy Seals for starters.
Can't believe you've never seen Platoon. If you want an inspiring film, go with Men of Honor, with Cuba Gooding Jr and Robert De Niro.
I need to rewatch that, I saw it at an age that I was hoping for lots of shooting and body parts flying around and all the subtleties were lost on me.
A few modern alternatives, well worth a watch....especially the first one: 13 Hours Kajaki The Veteran .. and no one mentioned The Great Escape, or Escape to Victory
Aye, i said the last one 'tongue in cheek'. Managed to rack me brains for some other oldies.. The Guns of Navaronne The Eagle has Landed The Mckenzie Break Von Ryan's Express
Why hasn't The Longest Day been mentioned, or have I missed it? This film deserves a place near the top because of it's almost documentary like approach. It's that rarest of productions, an American War Film that tells it how it was giving credit to all.
One that I enjoyed was "A Midnight Clear". Based on contact between rookie American and weary German troops in the Ardennes.
