Zulu Dawn (1979)

Peter O'Toole: Lord Chelmsford

Photos 

Quotes 

• General Lord Chelmsford : After lunch, Brown, I want you to return to Isandhlwana and instruct Col. Pulleine to join us here immediately.

  Col. Hamilton-Brown : If you'll excuse me, My Lord.

  General Lord Chelmsford : No appetite, Colonel?

  Col. Hamilton-Brown : My men haven't eaten since yesterday and there won't be any supplies until I get them back to Isandhlwana.

  General Lord Chelmsford : Then they can start off now and you can join them when you've eaten.

  Col. Hamilton-Brown : Kind of you, My Lord, but I don't think it would be proper for me to sit at your table, they with their bellies stuck to their backbones.

  [Exits] 

  Lt. Harford : [rising to follow Hamilton-Brown]  Excuse me, Sir.

  General Lord Chelmsford : [to Lt. Harford]  Learn nothing from that Irishman, Harford, except how not to behave.

• [British lancers have just ridden down and killed a Zulu warrior] 

  Lt. Melvill : Well done, Sir! Did you see that Noggs? Deceived him with the up and took him with the down.

  Norris-Newman : Well well, this one's a grandfather at least. If he'd been a Zulu in his prime I'd have given odds against your lancer, Mr. Melvill.

  General Lord Chelmsford : Well, gentlemen, first blood to us and a rousing good report in the newspapers to satisfy the politicians, eh?

• General Lord Chelmsford : For a savage, as for a child, chastisement is sometimes a kindness.

  Sir Henry Bartle Frere : Let us hope, General, that this will be the final solution to the Zulu problem.

• Col. Durnford : Mr. Raw. Take Mr. Vereker to the Store and see he is issued the necessary equipment. And show him to the Mess and explain to him how an Officer is expected to behave.

  [Raw salutes and leads Vereker off left, as Durnford watches their departure] 

  Lt. Raw : [Lt. Raw and Vereker entering the Mess. Chelmsford sits alone at a corner table reading his newspaper] 

  [Adressing the Mess:] 

  Lt. Raw : Stranger in the Mess. Gentlemen.

  [to Chelmsford] 

  Lt. Raw : My Lord.

  [The officers and Vereker survey each other] 

  Lt. Raw : [to Vereker:]  Announce yourself.

  Lt. William Vereker : [Vereker spots Chelmsford in the corner]  Good day Frederick.

  General Lord Chelmsford : Good day William.

  [Folding his newspaper, he stands to shake hands] 

  General Lord Chelmsford : Pleased you could join us.

  [The officers turn, a bit startled, to look at this newcomer who is somehow on first-name terms with the Lord General] 

  Lt. William Vereker : It was either that, or join the Zulu.

  General Lord Chelmsford : [Removing his glasses]  Join the Zulu? Oh yes, you're right in the thick of it aren't you? Talked to your father before we sailed... he said you'd taken to farming near Zulu land. Sends his regards... Should I meet up with you.

  Lt. William Vereker : [Wryly]  That was nice of the old boy.