An elderly man I know (a Southend season ticket holder) is the Grandson of John Williams who was one of the VC winners from Rorkes Drift.
I visited his house one day and there was photographs and a painting of a soldier in the red uniform also a Zulu assagi spear on the wall. When I asked about it he said that his Grandfather was John Williams who had be awarded the VC at the battle of Rorkes Drift. He said that the family had to sell the VC around the time of the first world war when his grandfather fell on hard times.
Yes, saw this at the roxy as well, my local cinema used to go there for Saturday morning pictures, then later with my mates on a Sunday afternoon I think about 4pm. Saw Goldfinger there as well, of course the highlight was a film called '17' a soft porn movie about a young bloke being introduced to sex. The Odeon at Woolwich used to have late night showings on a Saturday, I think they used to beam the Ali fights from there as well. I loved the Hook character,( James Booth) and the lines beetween him and Nigel Green CSM....
Funny how they chose Rourkes Drift instead of the Battle of Isandlwana to depict the Zululand invasion.
This was a classic case of British spin. The British had been wiped out at Isandlwana and they needed the comfort of a victory for the people back home (and also to save Lord Chelmsford's reputation). However, Rorke's Drift was a sideshow by comparison.
Nolly - not sure whether you are being sarcastic. However, here are some numbers for you:
Total deaths at Isandlwana: 2,300, of which 1,300 were on the British side and only 400 British survived. Total deaths at Rorke's Drift: 368, of which 17 were on the British side.
Hence my comment that Rorke's Drift was a sideshow, BY COMPARISON.
Nolly - not sure whether you are being sarcastic. However, here are some numbers for you:
Total deaths at Isandlwana: 2,300, of which 1,300 were on the British side and only 400 British survived. Total deaths at Rorke's Drift: 368, of which 17 were on the British side.
Hence my comment that Rorke's Drift was a sideshow, BY COMPARISON.
This should be in another category, but I will use this one if I may.What was the name of the first Zulu killed.It was Will, as Michael Caine's first words were "fire at will". Sorry!
Certainly not a myth, but the story was almost certainly over-egged at the time.
The film is a pretty accurate retelling of that story though.
The film sort of recounts the version of events but as for great victory against the odds and that stuff, I think it might be stretching the truth just a tad. The British army couldn't have 2 disasters so they embellished Roukes Drift somewhat. hence the medal haul. Still a Blu Ray must though
Certainly not a myth, but the story was almost certainly over-egged at the time.
The film is a pretty accurate retelling of that story though.
The film sort of recounts the version of events but as for great victory against the odds and that stuff, I think it might be stretching the truth just a tad. The British army couldn't have 2 disasters so they embellished Roukes Drift somewhat. hence the medal haul. Still a Blu Ray must though
I still wouldn't have fancied being there to find out either way though!
Eleven VCs does seem over the top considering the whole of the Falklands War in which many acts of extreme bravery were committed only warranted two VCs. All a part of the nineteenth century spin.
Comments
I visited his house one day and there was photographs and a painting of a soldier in the red uniform also a Zulu assagi spear on the wall. When I asked about it he said that his Grandfather was John Williams who had be awarded the VC at the battle of Rorkes Drift. He said that the family had to sell the VC around the time of the first world war when his grandfather fell on hard times.
Century in Lowfield St - think I first saw "Bambi" there when my coz of the same age had to be led out sobbing uncontollably when the Mum died.
Granada in Spital St - daughter sobbing uncontrollably there when ET was "dying"
Scala in Kent Rd- saw a panto there once , frequented it later when it was a disco.
How many cinemas did Greenwich have ?
I still enjoyed the film though.
Total deaths at Isandlwana: 2,300, of which 1,300 were on the British side and only 400 British survived.
Total deaths at Rorke's Drift: 368, of which 17 were on the British side.
Hence my comment that Rorke's Drift was a sideshow, BY COMPARISON.
The film is a pretty accurate retelling of that story though.
The British army couldn't have 2 disasters so they embellished Roukes Drift somewhat. hence the medal haul.
Still a Blu Ray must though
All a part of the nineteenth century spin.