Shaka Zulu

The Story is told based in the writings of Edward Fox's character, an adventurer named Francis George Farewell. Therefore, the more savage side of his nature is undubitably exaggerated.

To the best of our knowledge the salient points are correct, even to Henry Cele sharing the same basic build as Shaka, both of them quite imposing. There is some European romanticism tossed in, but it should be must viewing for anyone who loves history. Pooh-poohed by some critics as preposterous (as was Ghost in the Darkness, also an essentially true story), it is no more amazing than Napoleon's rise from obscurity to absolute power. They parallel in so many ways, in fact, that Shaka is oft called the "Napoleon of Africa". Though many Zulus consider Napoleon the "Shaka of Europe"

The production was fraught with controversy (it was filmed in South Africa before sanctions were lifted) but tries to convey a complex and fascinating story set in a tribal Africa steeped in mysticism with ideas about life and death that were very different from Europe. It manages to convey those ideas, and Shaka's formidible intellect, quite well. On top of that, it has as its star the perfect actor for the part.

Highly recommended and worth the time it takes to view it.

It seems that the best actors were the tribesmen, done on location, and very graphic on the gore. Could tell right away that this wasn't American Television. The Aussie's and New Zelanders, definately make better mini-series than we do.

You can never read enough history on the Imperial road to ash & the genocidal/ educational civilization offered to the native folks who outnumbered the greatest bluffers who served that Empire. I never expect to learn true history from film or tv even if the source material is excellent. After all the losers have the best stories sometimes. But good works like this with great acting dialogue, locations and a cast of many extras in sumptuous costume, can inspire many to read books written 100 years ago ( before the Orwellian revisions removed the overt racism & collusion in slavery etc in school history class) that authors expressed without guilt. Those tend to be more believable to me! Fresh memories and all. Of course I know they like to have the great decent white guy protagonist in Hollywood movies about Empire etc. but THIS is an balanced work that tells of the time where even the important figure in charge of the expedition( to avoid a war England could not win nor afford) is still motivated by simple greed. The episodes so far show how often the white guys tried the bluff method so often they were already a few decades away from losing India. I LOVE the details & a story which I hope will be retold again. This history isnt just for the British or Africa but the whole world. The dry wit & cynical Captian Farewell doesnt mind that a man without scruples could just about become a God in this country....LOL also shows how underestimated their African hosts/servants were all along. Indeed the corruption in the third remains the lasting legacy of Spain, France, Portugal & Great little Britian's legacy. The Zulu spirituality depicted isnt any less potent or scary than the one the Missionaries brought over. Worshiping suffering seems to be an odd human mental condition. Still any movie about 1700-1800s Africa or the Arctic or Peru or Mississippi SHOULD be a terrifying/exhilarating tale. I liked the fearless legend & reality of Shaka & the actor is so intense & just looks amazing. The scenery is huge and filled with so much great set design natural beauty horses, costumes...Its just got alot to see. I will be watching it again with my daughter. It tells a true story that provokes more curiosity of the era & the real people. Many episodes focus on the other side of the story, the Africans & their struggle to deal with alliances as well as the snakes that came ashore. I've never seen so many gorgeous women proudly wearing the clothing of their ancestors with pride & confidence. Real African actors made this an amazing film. Long before a comic book film. Of course at the start they always have the scenes with the exchanging of gifts and boy its withering even to watch the Englishmen melting in their uniforms! The old mirror trick.... (They always have to lie about the king they represent right? And what a gross king IV yuck. )They did this one well. Thats just in 2nd episode. I almost never seen this much time given to any famous historical African beyond Mandela. Or Amin. (Perhaps Netflix will change that. Lots of foreign films to see!) This guy was the Napoleonic Desert King in his time. I hope they make more series set in this era. NETFLIX had this on to watch & now the $ to make something as great as this now & Game of Thrones sized series. I hope they do it before it all goes boom.LOL Ok so I totally recommend this. Its got EVERYTHING. Only a terrible storyteller can make history boring. I hope Neflix puts some money into this movie's period --regardless of the location on the globe. It was a time where we still had to discover each other. I love them anyway & a series can really get alot of layers. It aged well.

Thinking of South-Africa and the 1980s in one context, three things come to mind: apartheid, boycott and the mini-series "Shaka Zulu". I'd place this among the best mini-series of the 80's and 90's, among shows like "Shogun", "Tai-Pan", "Roots" and "North and South". "Shaka Zulu" has bit from all of them. It's got history; it's got adventure and action, it has compelling characters and story lines that keep you glued to the screen.

Shaka has most often been described as the „Napoleon of Africa", which isn't incorrect, yet, I myself do like to see him as the King Arthur of South Africa. This is mainly due to having read Thomas Mofolos "Chaka Zulu" prior to having seen the TV-series. If you're the reading type, I recommend you to pick it up; it's not only a masterpiece of storytelling, but combines history and mysticism perfectly. Some of the mystic elements have made it into the series (the prophecy of Shaka's rise to power; the forging of Shaka's spear), but generally the story of the TV-show is rooted in reality.

What's to be said about the actors? Well, people like Edward Fox, Robert Powell or Fiona Fullerton are beyond dispute, doing a fine job as would be expected. Same goes by short but poignant guest-appearances by the likes of Sir Christopher Lee, Trevor Howard and Roy Dotrice (superb as a decadent King George IV) but the real kudos must go to the South African cast which, despite being mainly laymen actors, come across as convincingly and authentic as they come.

Former South-African football hero Henry Cele embodies Shaka Zulu like Helmut Berger embodied King Ludwig II of Bavaria, imposing and final. Dudu Mkize virtually steals the scenes she's in, with a mix of grace and dignity that is rare to see on modern TV or Conrad Magwaza as Shakas father Senzagakona and Gugu Nxumalo as Shakas feline-like aunt Mkabayi. Sadly, most of those actors were never seen on screen again; Cele starring in a couple of low-budget action / horror flicks (among them "The Ghost and the Darkness), same goes for Mkizi and for Magwaza (apart in a guest-appearance in a film about Albert Schweizer) and Nxumala, "Shaka Zulu" that remained their only appearance on the silver screen.

In essence, this is a (mini)-series that makes you feel sad once you've reached the final episode: sad that it's over and that there is no more. One wishes it would have gone on, that one could have seen more of the characters, their stories, and more of the rich Zulu culture and its history.

I'd give it 10/10 points if it wasn't for the abrupt, sudden ending, which comes as a bit of a let-down, so 9 from 10 will have to do.

Although I remember seeing some of the original mini-series in the 80s I had never watched the whole story. My interest was re-awakened when I bought the Shaka Zulu box set in the January sales. Having watched the whole series through I realised that this was a great story, very well told and well acted (especially by the African leads - some of the British cast seem hammy in comparison although Edward Fox to his credit is less hammy than normal).

There are good production values and great scenery (the series used many of the original locations from Shaka's life) and hundreds of "real" extras. All in all a refreshing change from the vacuous CGI laden "epics" which flood the cinema now. I think the fact this was a mini-series has led to this production being seriously undervalued. It is a lot better than many films which get given Oscars.