They don't like it up 'em!

I have always enjoyed the film Zulu (1964) . A military precursor to the disaster films of the 1970s, this boy's own adventure has the usual mixed bag of characters (quiet, thoughtful hero, snobby toff, thief-with-a-heart and a score of hymn singing Welshmen) and pits them against 4000 angry Zulus in 1879 South Africa. Who will survive? and how?....., it is an age old story, which works wonderfully under director Cy Endfield's deft hand.

Watching my Christmas remastered edition of the film has been greatly satisfying! as some of the set pieces have now worked themselves into movie history. Who can forget the Welsh soldiers (led by actor Ivor Emmanuel (pic) in their scarlet tunics belting out "Men of Harlech" in reply to the Zulu war chants; Nigel Green's underplayed and lugubrious Colour Sergeant and of course John Barry;s thundering musical score. (Perhaps his best African score - ok I also love his music to Born Free and Out of Africa). the film is the stuff of movie legend.

Zulu still keeps you interested after three hours of stiff upper lip and has been ideal for a rainy Friday afternoon.

I also have the box set of Hitchcock films to watch at some stage (Xmas Pressie from Sorrel)......excellent!

Found a couple of huge dead rats in their runs behind the compost heaps this morning, which is satisfying! I have cleaned out the coops and moved the whole electric perimeter fencing to allow the birds new grazing.The weather has been mild but it feels more wintery today than of late. Chris has spent the day reading and watching some sort of Disney film about female figure skaters!