Zulu Dawn
1979
Zulu messenger: I bring greetings from your friends the British and from the great Lord Chelmsford. Ceteseyo: And what do your masters say? Zulu messenger: They are angry and send these demands. They say that you rule in old ways that are wrong; that you kill your people without trial. The Great White Queen herself cannot kill her lowliest subject, though she rules forty lands, each greater than all of Zululand.
(On the death of his young assistant from friendly fire) Corporal Storey: All this way to be shot by a bloody bullet from Birmingham.
(Vereker asks what happens if he can't drink the Stanger's cup without stopping) Lt Coghill: Then a bottle of good claret for each man in the mess will be charged to your account. Lt Melville: If that is too expensive, then you can always send the bill to your father in the House of Lords. No offense, Vereker. Lt William Vereker: None taken, Melville.
Lt William Vereker: Hello, Frederick. General Lord Chelmsford: Hello, William. I saw your father before I left England. He told me you had taken to farming near Zululand. Lt William Vereker: Yes. It was either come here or join the Zulu. Lt Coghill: Vereker, you didn't really have to choose between your own country and the Zulu, did you? Lt William Vereker: Yes, and a damn close thing it was too.
(Durnford has commented on the lack of guards around the British camp) Lt Col Pulleine: Lord Chelmsford assures us that there is no way the Zulu can get around us without our knowing. Col Durnford: Zulu generals have a nasty habit of doing the unexpected. It might be wise to picket the hills.
(a newspaperman is commenting on Chelmsford's decision to divide his forces) Norris-New: Crealock, old fellow... had it drummed into my thick head that no commander should ever split his forces before he knows the position of the enemy. Col Crealock: Yes, Nogs. If we were facing a European enemy your point would hold. I might also remind you that I am only His Lordship's secretary and do not make the strategy on which you comment. Norris-Newman: Yes, you may only be his secretary, Crealock, but if he falls; you fall with him.
(the Zulus are about to overrun the British position) Col Durnford: Sergeant Major! Take my horse. Ride to Natal. Tell the Bishop; that is, tell his daughter, that I was obliged to remain at Isandlawahna with the infantry. Go with God. Sgt. Maj. Kambula: I go because you order me; but I leave God here to help you.
(British lancers have just run down and killed a Zulu warrior) Lt Melville: Well, first blood to our side, eh, Nogs? Norris-Newman: This one's a grandfather at least. If he were a Zulu warrior in his prime I would have given odds on your lancer, Melville.
General Lord Chelmsford: Brown, you will have time for lunch before you return to Isandlawhana. Col Hamilton-Brown: Kind of you, my lord; but I don't think it would be proper for me to sit here and eat while my men sit there with their bellies stuck to their backsides until we return to Isandlawhana. (leaves Chelmsford's tent) General Lord Chelmsford: (to Lt Harford) Learn nothing from that *Irishman*, Harford; except how not to behave.
Lt Col Pulleine: (the Zulu are about to overrun the British position) Well fought, gentlemen. It's time to save the colours. (hands flag to Vereker) Carry them to safety, Mr Vereker. Lt William Vereker: Yes, sir!
Boy Pullen: You afeared of the Zulus then, Quartermaster? QSM Bloomfield: One Zulu is only one man... and I'm afeared of no one man... but the Zulu, they come in the thousands... like a black wave of death... in the thousands... and them assegais... stabbing!
Corporal Storey: To the soldier next to him, referring to the ammunition: Soft 'eaded buggers these. Flatten out against the bone. Smash 'em out. Storey's mate: But bullets run out... and those bloody spears don 't.
C.S.M. Williams: (Sergeant Williams catches a man not listening to him) Private Williams! Pvt. Williams: Yes, Sir! C.S.M. Williams: Go over there and tell that sergeant that you love him more than you love me! Pvt. Williams: Color Sergeant! (runs off)