Shaka Zulu

Watch Shaka Zulu

  • R
  • 2001
  • 1 hr 34 min
  • 5.2  (382)

Shaka Zulu is a historical drama which was first aired in 1986 as a miniseries, but was later made into a feature film in 2001. The movie tells the story of Shaka, a young warrior who builds his own Zulu empire in southern Africa during the 19th century. David Hasselhoff stars as Henry Fynn, a British doctor who befriends Shaka (played by Henry Cele) during his travels in the Zulu territory. Fynn is fascinated by Shaka's leadership abilities and gets involved in his conquests to establish his empire.

In the movie, we see Shaka as a skilled warrior who rises through the ranks of his tribe's army to become the leader of the Zulu nation. He is determined to unite his people and to turn them into a powerful fighting force. Even though he is feared and respected by his enemies, he is also despised by many of his own people, especially the elders who are wary of his radical ideas.

Karen Allen plays the role of Fynn's love interest, but her character serves mainly to provide some romantic subplot to the movie. Her character does not add much to the overall plot of the movie.

The movie's strong point is its portrayal of the African landscape, from the lush forests to the dusty savannahs. We see many epic battles with hundreds of extras, as well as impressive scenes of Zulu culture, rituals and traditions.

The movie also does a good job of showing the conflicts that arise between different tribes, as well as the tensions between African tribes and European colonizers. It also shows the atrocities that occurred during the colonial period, as well as the impact of Western civilization on African cultures.

Another strong aspect of the movie is the way it portrays Shaka's character. He is not just a one-dimensional hero, but a complex figure with his own strengths and weaknesses. Shaka is a man of contradictions – a charismatic leader who is also ruthless and ruthless in battle. However, his intentions are always clear – he wants to create a strong, unified African nation that can resist any external threat.

While the movie is visually impressive and does a good job of portraying African cultures, its narrative can be difficult to follow at times. It often jumps from one scene to another without a clear transition, making it difficult to keep track of events.

The movie also suffers from some questionable casting choices. Hasselhoff is not convincing as a British doctor, and his accent is distracting. Allen's character is not given much to do in the movie, and her storyline feels like filler.

Despite its flaws, Shaka Zulu is a worthwhile watch for fans of historical dramas. The movie provides a glimpse into African history and culture, while also showcasing excellent battle scenes and memorable performances from the cast. It is not without its weaknesses, but it remains a classic of the genre.

Shaka Zulu is a 2001 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.

Shaka Zulu
Description
Where to Watch Shaka Zulu
Shaka Zulu is available to watch free on The Roku Channel Free. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Google Play. Some platforms allow you to rent Shaka Zulu for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2001
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 34 min
  • IMDB Rating
    5.2  (382)