The family of Hickie (played by James Booth) was outraged at his portrayal. He apparently was nothing like that heroic rebel and outlaw. But that’s show biz. The final salute of the Zulus is also fictional but who gives a damn?
The sound in that movie is great. The Zulu running. The Zulu chanting. The Zulu pounding on their shields.
The scene where the British form three ranks and then volley fire by rank is really good. You never see the Zulu falling. Then, the camera pulls back to show a huge pile of dead Zulu reaching ALMOST to the first rank. Really well done. Just quiet and shock on the faces of the British Soldiers.
He was a hero alright, but he was also apparently an exemplary soldier, not the malingering n’er do well portrayed in the film. Presumably the producers thought that would be too boring and wanted a rogue instead.
Apparently, Colour-Sergeant Frank Bourne, who is portrayed as a man well into middle age in the film, was only in his early 20s at the time of the battle, and was the last veteran of that battle to die. Coincidently, he died on the 8th of May 1945 aged 91, on VE Day...