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Zulu [Blu-ray] [1964]


RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £12.90 (subject to change)

Error with the extras
Review date: 2008-11-14 Rating: 10 out of 10

Yes it is delightful in quality and so well told. But the film itself never says anything like "We shouldn't be here (in Africa)." like the fan and critic on the extras tells us. So this war adventure could have gone seriously wrong and then there hardly would be a fight-glorifying film. But beautifully made in the details. When two soldiers are sent up on a hill, then something else happens and after that in another scene you see in the distance that they are now halfway up. That creates a believable flow I enjoy in movies.

The film was shot in Super Technirama 70, that is 35mm horizontal (like our "old" 135 photography) with a squeeze for 70mm printing 1:2,2, so it has a larger negative and better quality and it SHOULD look better or at least as good as today's films :-)

The extras play only in a small window in the upper left on my Sony S300, video out and HDMI out. When I press stop it is for a split second full frame. Anything wrong with the disc or does it play normal on your machines?? Perhaps I receive a comment on this below this text.

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Reviews


Amazing clarity
Review date: 2008-11-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

If you have never seen 'Zulu', you need to buy this now. For the many of us that have seen it on the TV over the years, you'll be astounded at the detail. As soon as the film starts you'll notice things you have never seen before. Its hard to believe a film of this age can be seen with such clarity. A truely amazing film.

Zulu Blu is a Must Have !
Review date: 2008-11-05 Rating: 10 out of 10

The Picture Quality of Zulu is simply incredible and the Audio Quality is really good considering when this movie was made. The most important part is that this Blu Ray disc does work (including all the special features)on a North American PS3.

Is this the best Hi Def transfer yet?
Review date: 2008-11-03 Rating: 10 out of 10

In March of this year, Paramount Pictures and Sky got together to restore two British films for a Hi Def release. Those films were "Zulu" and "The Italian Job".
The former was originally shown following its restoration on Sky's Hi Def TV channels and has now made it to Blu-ray. Originally this was to have been an HD DVD release back in June but like so many others with that format's abrupt termination, "Zulu" is now belatedly out on Blu-ray.
"Zulu" is one of my favourite films of all time. It is one of the very best war films to ever come out of the UK, indeed, some maintain it to be the greatest of all.
It tells of the heroic stand by just over 100 British troops at an isolated mission station called Rorke's Drift in 1879 South Africa, following the annihilation of a British Army at Iswandlana by the Zulu Nation.This army of 4000 strong Zulu warriors then headed to Rorke's Drift to dish out a similar fate to the small British force stationed there....
What follows is a sustained battle, the ferocity of which will linger long in the viewer's memory. "Zulu" boasts an all star cast headed by Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, and in his first film role - Michael Caine.
The subject matter could have been a minefield to film but "Zulu" just shrugs this off and portrays the Zulus with awe and respect, depicting them as almost a force of nature against whom the British Army look small and almost frail....
The film boasts a thunderous score courtesy of John Barry and although this is not in 5.1, the stereo mix is still very good, indeed, and does what it is supposed to do with aplomb.

However, the picture itself is most definitely the star on show here. The restoration to Hi Def is nothing short of astounding and I can only assume that a 70mm print was used. From the old Paramount logo at the beginning of the film itself, the viewer is treated to a visual spectacle that simply could have been made yesterday. This is akin to and even possibly better than seeing a pristine 70mm print of this film in a cinema. Light and colour are gorgeous and the clarity is unbelievable.
Flies land on the face of Jack Hawkins' preacher as he tries to persuade Stanley Baker's commander to release his wounded men. The stunning Natal scenery is simply three dimensional and you can see every blade of grass and rock on the mountainsides. The uniforms almost glow with detail and are incredible to see. The huge marriage dance at the beginning of the film in King Cetawayo's Kraal is simply unbelievable though, restored to a detail so clear that it simply leaves you wondering how they got it to look that good.
My only gripe with the disc is that they did not provide a 5.1 soundtrack. That said the remixed stereo soundtrack is more than adequate and does the job.
Visually though this film takes Hi Def to a new plateau. It is simply unbelievable that this was made in 1962, again it has the look and clarity of a film made yesterday. It's Hi Def picture exceeds that of even the highly acclaimed "Black Narcissus", in fact I cannot think of any film on either BD or HD DVD that can rival "Zulu" in Hi Def.
Films like "2001" and "Bladerunner" are great Hi Def transfers but "Zulu" simply betters them.
Is this the best Hi Def transfer to date? I seriously am beginning to think that it is. Treat yourself to this incredible Hi Def experience and pick up a copy of this disc without delay.
Believe me, the end result will exceed your expectations, it is that good.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Michael Caine
James Booth
Nigel Green
Stanley Baker

Creators:
Michael Caine (Primary Contributor)
Nigel Green (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5051368203430
Binding: Blu-ray
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-11-03
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Running time: 133 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1964

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