DOUGLAS HICKOX’S 1979 SEMINAL WAR FILM AND PREQUEL TO ZULU GETS A STUNNING NEW PHYSICAL RELEASE FROM SEVERIN FILMS
“THE PREQUEL EPIC TO ZULU…
A sweeping battle film with a top-flight cast and thousands of African extras”
- The New York Times
“A FILM OF FINE ACTING, EMOTIONAL POWER AND VISUAL BEAUTY…
An epic re-examination of the worst defeat ever suffered
by a modern army at the hands of native forces”
- Reeling Back
Screen legends Burt Lancaster (GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL), Peter O’Toole (LAWRENCE OF ARABIA), Simon Ward (THE THREE MUSKETEERS) and Bob Hoskins (THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY) lead an all-star cast in ZULU DAWN, the “fascinating and awesome” (DVD Talk) prequel to the 1964 classic ZULU. Following its recent theatrical release, the brand-new stunning 4K remastered edition, scanned in 4K from the interpositive, is getting a new release on Limited Edition and Special Edition courtesy of Severin Films.
ZULU DAWN Limited Edition UHD/BD 3-disc set, ZULU DAWN Special Edition UHD/BD 3-disc set and ZULU DAWN Standard Edition BD 2-disc set will be released on 25 May 2026 and are available to pre-order now. All versions come complete with both the Original and U.S. Theatrical cuts of the film, plus more than six hours of special features, including a brand-new feature-length documentary on the making of the film, narrated by Dai Bradley (KES), featuring new interviews with actor/co-producer James Faulkner (GAME OF THRONES), producer Nate Kohn and many more. The Limited Edition also includes an exclusive 100-page book, double-sided poster and art cards. Please see full details on attached press release.
In January 1879, officials of the British colony of Natal, Africa issued a list of ultimatums to the Zulu Nation. When the Zulu King refused, the Empire declared war. Then in a series of grave tactical blunders, a garrison of 1,500 British soldiers faced 25,000 enraged Zulu warriors in what would become the most horrific disaster in British military history.
Nigel Davenport (CHARIOTS OF FIRE), Denholm Elliott (RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK), Phil Daniels (QUADROPHENIA), Simon Sabela (SHAKA ZULU), James Faulkner (WAKE UP DEAD MAN) and Dai Bradley (ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT), co-star with 13,000 Zulus in this “eye-filling, spectacular experience” (Mondo Digital), directed by Douglas Hickox (THEATRE OF BLOOD) from a screenplay by ZULU writer/director Cy Endfield.
“ZULU DAWN IS A GENUINE EPIC WITH FIRST RATE PRODUCTION VALUES…
Stunningly staged and photographed, with Elmer Bernstein providing the stirring score”
- Cinema Retro
SPECIAL FEATURES:
LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVES:
· 100-Page Collectors' Book With New Articles By Ian Knight And Film Historian Simon Lewis
· Six Collectors’ Art Cards
· Double-Sided Poster
DISC 1: UHD - ORIGINAL THEATRICAL VERSION (118 mins)
· Audio Commentary With Anglo-Zulu War Historian Ian Knight And Film Historian Simon
Lewis *
· Theatrical Trailer *
DISC 2: BLU-RAY - ORIGINAL THEATRICAL VERSION (118 mins)
· War Cry of the Zulu – The Making Of ZULU DAWN, A Feature-Length Documentary
Narrated By Dai Bradley
· Trailblazer: The Simon Sabela Story – A Documentary On The South African Actor/Director
· The Saga of Bob’s Last Stands – Bob Hoskins’ Death Scene
· The Scene That Never Was – The Eclipse at Isandlwana
DISC 3: BLU-RAY - U.S. THEATRICAL VERSION (98 mins)
· The Symbol of Sacrifice (1918) – The 1997 Reconstruction Of The Historical South African
Film
· Saviour Of the Symbol of Sacrifice – Interview With Mayer Levy
· The History of the Zulu Wars – Featurette With Zulu Rising Author Ian Knight
· Recreating The War – Interview With Historical Advisor Midge Carter
· A Visit to The Battlefield – Author Ian Knight Visits The Location Of The Battle Of
Isandlwana
· Outtakes
