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Date	Original Topic
11th November 2002	Film Locations By Melvin Hunt On a lighter note, I have just returned from a first visit to South Africa including a pilgimage to the "Zulu" film location at the Amphitheatre. With the aid of stills from the film it is possible to identify and walk on the exact loctions of the hospital/storehouse/river film sets, although they are quite overgrown. I was surprised to find the site of the set for the wedding kraal scenes literally over the other side of the road and is much smaller than you'd think.(movie magic). The location used for the opening scenes of the zulus at Isandlwana were filmed near the Mont aux sources hotel. I found that visiting these sights was quite enthralling after having watched the film so many times over the years. After walking Fugitives Trail we visited Fugitives Drift and I am sure that the scenes from Zulu Dawn depicting the fugitives flight were filmed on the same spot. Can anyone confirm this?
Date	Replies
11th November 2002	John Young Yes Melvin, I can confirm that the Melvill & Coghill death scene from 'Zulu Dawn' was filmed at Fugitives' Drift, itself. John Young, Chairman, Anglo-Zulu War Research Society.
12th November 2002	Miguel John, I have vague memories of watching Zulu Dawn. Tell me, if they filmed the battle at Isandlwana, �did they do something to hide the cairns?
12th November 2002	John Young Miguel, The battle scenes were not filmed at Isandlwana, they were filmed at Babanango, about a half-an-hour drive from the battlefield on a good day. Some of the battle scenes, including the death of Bob Hoskins' character were actually filmed at Rorke's Drift. I've said this before on the site, but I'll repeat it for the benefit of new visitors. The crossing of the Buffalo River, was actually filmed at Rorke's Drift. One problem the troops are going from KwaZulu into Natal in the film. The hill they storm up is Shiyane, the hill you were asking to be described in another thread. To my knowledge only once do you see the real Isandlwana, when O'Toole is peering through his telescope. John Young, Chairman, Anglo-Zulu War Research Society.
12th November 2002	Keith Wilkinson According to Ian Knight's book," The Zulu War, Then and Now", Isiphezi mountain, which is mid-way along the Nquthu-Babanango road, was used as a stand in for Isandlwana during the filming of Zulu Dawn.
12th November 2002	Melvin Hunt John Thanks for the quick reply. Mel
16th November 2002	Nigel Instone Melvin Could you tell me the exact location of the 'Amphitheatre'. When I eventually get to visit South Africa, I'd also incude this site as part of my 'pilgrimage' !