Zulu (1964 film) John Prebble and Endfield, based on an article by Prebble, a historical writer. The film stars Stanley Baker and introduces Michael Caine, in his first major role, with a supporting cast that includes Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Nigel Green, Paul Daneman, Glynn Edwards, Ivor Emmanuel and Patrick Magee. Future South African political leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi played Zulu King Cetshwayo kaMpande, his great grandfather. The opening and closing narration is spoken by Richard Burton. The film was first shown on the 85th anniversary of the actual battle, 22 January 1964 at the Plaza Theatre in the West End of
Stanley Baker released he played another villain role for Box and Thomas, "Campbell's Kingdom" (1957), opposite Dirk Bogarde, shot in Italy (substituting for Canada). He was meant to make "Tread Softly Stranger" with Diana Dors but George Baker was cast instead. "Hell Drivers" became a minor hit and at the end of the year, exhibitors voted Baker the seventh most popular British star at the British box office for 1957 (after Bogarde, Kenneth More, Peter Finch, John Gregson, Norman Wisdom and John Mills, and before Ian Carmichael, Jack Hawkins and Belinda Lee). "Hell Drivers" success saw Baker play a series of tough