As dramatic and stirring as this hearty Welsh choral interlude may seem as depicted in the 1964 film 'Zulu', it surely never happened. It is one of several historical inaccuracies that were included in the film.
The regiment concerned, the 24th Regiment of Foot, is described as a "Welsh" regiment. In fact, although it was based in Brecon in south Wales, its designation at the time of the battle was the 24th (The 2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot. It did not become the South Wales Borderers until 1881, three years after the battle. A majority of the soldiers were English. The song "Men of Harlech" which features so prominently in the film as the regimental song did not become so until years after the battle. At the time of the battle, the regimental song was "The Warwickshire Lad."
Military historians have further noted that there was most likely no singing contest between the soldiers and the Zulus.
Very interesting, and written like a true regimental historian.
I watched the film more than once without the benefit of knowing this, yet I did not believe for a moment that 150 redcoats would have spontaneously erupted into patriotic choral as 4,000 Zulus prepared to slaughter them. It seemed to me an obvious embellishment.
Robert's comments are correct. The film is not good history, but it is a grand film. The moment is classic cinema.
Men singing in battle to keep up their strength isn't unknown Beaverbrook. I can't remember the name of the ship, but I think it was a torpedoed cruiser in 1941 where the captain and crew sang "There will always be an England" as the men awaited rescue.
They sang a lot during the Great War: "Onward Christian Soldiers", "O When the Saints Come Marching In"....not to mention at Christmas time to maintain spirits. But of course, it was a long war.
All jolly good stuff, though it does leave out one important point, and that is that the version of 'Men of Harlech' sung here was completely made up for the film. Obviously there are plenty of versions of 'Men of Harlech', but neither lyrics rallying the troops of Owain Glyndŵr nor indeed aiming to break the 'Saxon's courage' would really have been appropriate for one of the British Empire's finest moments in celluloid (which, along with the 3rd Foot and Mouth Regiment's seeing off of the Khasi of Khalabar's Burpa hordes, it most certainly is).
As dramatic and stirring as this hearty Welsh choral interlude may seem as depicted in the 1964 film 'Zulu', it surely never happened. It is one of several historical inaccuracies that were included in the film.
ReplyDeleteThe regiment concerned, the 24th Regiment of Foot, is described as a "Welsh" regiment. In fact, although it was based in Brecon in south Wales, its designation at the time of the battle was the 24th (The 2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot. It did not become the South Wales Borderers until 1881, three years after the battle. A majority of the soldiers were English. The song "Men of Harlech" which features so prominently in the film as the regimental song did not become so until years after the battle. At the time of the battle, the regimental song was "The Warwickshire Lad."
Military historians have further noted that there was most likely no singing contest between the soldiers and the Zulus.
Very interesting, and written like a true regimental historian.
ReplyDeleteI watched the film more than once without the benefit of knowing this, yet I did not believe for a moment that 150 redcoats would have spontaneously erupted into patriotic choral as 4,000 Zulus prepared to slaughter them. It seemed to me an obvious embellishment.
Robert's comments are correct. The film is not good history, but it is a grand film. The moment is classic cinema.
ReplyDeleteMen singing in battle to keep up their strength isn't unknown Beaverbrook. I can't remember the name of the ship, but I think it was a torpedoed cruiser in 1941 where the captain and crew sang "There will always be an England" as the men awaited rescue.
You're probably right, Kipling.
ReplyDeleteThey sang a lot during the Great War: "Onward Christian Soldiers", "O When the Saints Come Marching In"....not to mention at Christmas time to maintain spirits. But of course, it was a long war.
And bloody well right you are about the navy! The sang their hearts out in Nelson's time.
ReplyDeleteAll jolly good stuff, though it does leave out one important point, and that is that the version of 'Men of Harlech' sung here was completely made up for the film. Obviously there are plenty of versions of 'Men of Harlech', but neither lyrics rallying the troops of Owain Glyndŵr nor indeed aiming to break the 'Saxon's courage' would really have been appropriate for one of the British Empire's finest moments in celluloid (which, along with the 3rd Foot and Mouth Regiment's seeing off of the Khasi of Khalabar's Burpa hordes, it most certainly is).
ReplyDelete