screenshots / Zulu Dawn / 1979 Zulu Dawn NV

Based on the 1979 book by Cy Enfield (director of 1952's Tarzan's Savage Fury) about the historical 1879 Battle of Isandlwana between British and Zulu forces in South Africa.

Directed by Douglas Hickox (Theatre of Blood), the film stars Burt Lancaster (The Scalphunters), Peter O'Toole (Man Friday), and Nigel Davenport (Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan).

In the role of Cetshwayo, actor Simon Sabela previously appeared in 1964's Zulu (as a dance leader) and then later as Dingiswayo in the ten episode 1986 television mini-series Shaka Zulu.

The cast also includes Ken Gampu (cast as Mantshonga) whose film credits include The Naked Prey (1965), King Solomon's Treasure (1979) and King Solomon's Mines (1985).

The production filmed on location in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Ken Gampu passed in 2003 at the age of 74.

Simon Sabela passed in 1994.