Colonial Wargames - Videos & DVDs

NORTH WEST FRONTIER

The Rank Organisation Film Productions Ltd. - 1959
Kenneth More, Lauren Bacall, Herbert Lom, Wilfred Hyde White, I.S.Johar

India's North West Frontier is about to erupt into war as Moslem tribesmen try to overthrow their Hindu ruler and eject his British masters. In order to protect the heir to the throne, a British officer is ordered to take young Prince Krishnan and his governess 300 miles through enemy-held territory to the safety of Kalapur. He also has to take with him a mixed group of European civilians. They only way that this can be done is by railway, and the only locomotive available is venerable and dilapidated. During the journey they are ambushed several times, have to repair damaged track, and expose a traitor in their midst.

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OMAR MUKTAR - LION OF THE DESERT

Falcon International Productions - 1981
Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, Irene Papas, Raf Vallone, Gastone Moschin, Andre Kier, Sky Dumont, Robert Brown, Takis Emmanuel, Rod Steiger, John Gielgud

When Italy seized Libya from the Turks it did so with the intention of creating a colony in North Africa that would rival the French colony in Algeria. The reality was very different. The Libyans - and particularly the Bedouin - resisted the invaders with whatever means was available, and foremost amongst the leaders of the resistance was Omar Muktar. This film tells the story of how he led the Libyan resistance, how the Italians responded with the maximum amount for force and firepower available to them, and how Omar Muktar ultimately died.

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RHODES

Acorn Media - 2008
Martin Shaw, Frances Barber, Neil Pearson, Joe Shaw, Ken Stott, Raymond Coulthard, Tim Dutton

Originally a BBC mini-series, it charts the life of Cecil Rhodes from when he first arrived in South Africa until his death. It contains some interesting battle scenes including an attack by spear and rifle-armed Matabele tribesmen on a British column equipped with rifled cannon and machine guns.

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RORKE'S DRIFT

Cromwell Productions - 2000

A documentary that features state-of-the-art computer animation, stills from various collections, modern reconstructions, and analysis by military historians to tell the story of this famous battle. If you want to know what happened at Rorke's Drift on 22nd and 23rd January 1879, then look no further; If you want a ripping good yarn, then watch ZULU.

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RORKE'S DRIFT 1879 - AGAINST ALL ODDS

Cromwell Productions THE HISTORY OF WARFARE SERIES - 1993
Narrated by Hu Pryce

A documentary that features extensive re-enactment of the events of 22nd January 1879 and dramatised eye-witness accounts of the battle.

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THE SAND PEBBLES

20th Century Fox/Robert Wise Productions - 1966
Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, Richard Crenna, Candice Bergen

In the aftermath of World War I the USS San Pueblo, a river gunboat, attempts to protect American lives and property in the face of increasing tension between the Chinese and the foreign powers who seek to dominate China. The film culminates in an exciting battle between the gunboat, which is trying to escape down-river, and Chinese forces who are attempting to stop them.

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SHOUT AT THE DEVIL

Michael Klinger Films - 1976
Lee Marvin, Roger Moore, Barbara Perkins, Ian Holm, Rene Kolldehoff

Based on Wilbur Smith's novel of the same name. The film covers the activities of a pair of European ivory poachers turned guerrillas operating in the Rufiji River delta before and during the First World War. Many of the incidents depicted are based on real events during the East African campaign, and the 'props' (which include a mock-up of a German battle-cruiser and an early aeroplane) should inspire colonial wargamers and modellers alike.

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YOUNG WINSTON

Columbia Pictures Industries Inc. - 1972
Simon Ward, Robert Shaw, Anne Bancroft, Jack Hawkins, Ian Holm, Anthony Hopkins, Patrick Magee, Edward Woodward, Sir John Mills

Directed by Carl Foreman and based on Winston Churchill's book MY EARLY LIFE. The film has some interesting battle scenes, including a skirmish on the North West Frontier and the Battle of Omdurman. The latter concentrates on the ambush of 21st Lancers by the Mahdists.

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ZULU

Diamond Films - 1963
Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green, Patrick Magee

Probably the most well known colonial war film, and certainly one that has inspired a generation of colonial wargamers. The film is not an accurate representation of the Battle of Rorke's Drift, but despite that it is a great film. A 'must see' for any colonial wargamer!

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ZULU DAWN

Zulu Dawn Films - 1979
Bury Lancaster, Peter O'Toole, Simon Ward, Sir John Mills, Bob Hoskins, Peter Vaughan

The prequel to ZULU, this film depicts the events surrounding the outbreak of the Zulu War and the Battle of Isandlwana. It has some good battle scenes that portray the failure of open order, volley-fire tactics against a fast moving enemy armed with spears. It does, however, perpetuate the myth of the screwed-down ammunition boxes as being a prime cause of the disaster.

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ZULU WARS

Vertex Home Entertainment - 1997
Narrated by John Hurt

This is a series of three programmes originally made for THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL. The episodes are entitled SHAKA, KING OF THE ZULU, BLOOD RIVER, and RED COAT, BLACK BLOOD and cover the history of the Zulu nation from its foundation by Shaka until its defeat by the British. The historical events are reconstructed as well as can be expected bearing in mind that a documentary does not have the same production values as a feature film.

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THE ZULU WARS - 1879

Cromwell Productions THE HISTORY OF WARFARE SERIES - 1996
Narrated by Robert Powell

This documentary features extracts from ZULU DAWN, stills from various collections, modern reconstructions, maps and graphics, and analysis by military historians to tell the story of the invasion of Zululand and the subsequent Battles of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift.

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