Bank Holidays, Battles, and Buying More Minis: My Descent into the World of Zulu (1964) Characters in 28mm

There are a few certainties in British life: rain on a summer weekend, queues forming from thin air, and - every Bank Holiday - some TV channel showing Zulu. The 1964 classic is a staple of British broadcasting, and for good reason. It dramatises the Battle of Rorke’s Drift during the Anglo–Zulu War of 1879, depicting the defence mounted by just 150 British soldiers - engineers, infantrymen and several wounded - against thousands of Zulu warriors.

At the centre of the film is the unlikely partnership between Lieutenant John Chard (Stanley Baker) and Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead (Michael Caine), whose strained but growing cooperation under fire anchors the story. Packed with spectacle, character conflict and moments of mutual respect, Zulu remains one of the most memorable and iconic portrayals of a real military action ever committed to film.

Whatever your personal view of the British Empire or colonial history, I absolutely adore this film. Some of the first plastic figures I ever bought back in the ’80s and ’90s were the ESCI British Infantry and ESCI Zulus - endlessly refighting Rorke’s Drift across the living‑room carpet or a makeshift gaming board.

For decades I successfully resisted diving into 28mm Zulu War miniatures. I didn’t want to open the door to another historical genre, and the thought of painting several hundred Zulu warriors was… let’s say “less than appealing.” But after rewatching the film twice over Christmas 2025, fate intervened: I discovered that AW Miniatures make sets based directly on the characters from the movie.

I gave in. And I placed an order.

Up first is the Rorke’s Drift Command Set, which features three of the film’s most iconic characters - and the actors who brought them to life:

• Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne, portrayed by Nigel Green
• Lieutenant John Chard, portrayed by Stanley Baker
• Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, portrayed by Michael Caine

It’s hard not to love this trio. Their on‑screen chemistry practically defines the film, and having them in miniature form feels like recreating the movie frame by frame.

Bourne, Chard & Bromhead

Next is the Rorke’s Drift Victoria Cross Character Set, which includes figures representing the men awarded the Victoria Cross for their gallantry during the battle:

• Private Henry Hook, portrayed by James Booth
• Surgeon James Henry Reynolds, portrayed by Patrick Magee
• Corporal Christian Ferdinand Schiess, portrayed by Gert Van den Bergh
• Private Frederick Hitch, portrayed by David Kernan

These are fantastic sculpts with loads of character, and they instantly evoke key moments from the movie.

I also added a couple of figures from Zulu Dawn, the 1979 prequel that covers the disaster at Isandlwana.

• Colonel Anthony Durnford, portrayed by Burt Lancaster
• Quartermaster Sergeant Bloomfield, portrayed by Peter Vaughan

Both are great additions, and the film link keeps them thematically snug with the rest of the collection.

Schiess, Reynolds, Durnford, Bloomfield & Hitch

Rounding out the core defenders is the Rorke’s Drift character pack, containing:

• Corporal William Wilson Allen
• Private Joseph Williams
• Private Thomas Fagen
• Commissary James Langley Dalton
• Private Garrett Hayden

These figures fill out the narrative around the mission station, giving the whole scene more depth and personality.

Hayden, Allen, Williams & Hook

Of course, no collection would be complete without:

Lieutenant Teignmouth Melville (Zulu Dawn) - portrayed by James Faulkner

And a Bugler for that famous last scene (you know exactly which one)

He may never hit the high note, but he’s essential for the atmosphere.

Fagen, Dalton, Melville, Buglar, Figure wearing forage Cap

So here I am - after decades of resistance - firmly entrenched in 28mm Zulu War miniatures. All it took was two festive rewatches of Zulu, a casual browse through AW Miniatures, and a wave of nostalgia for those old ESCI figures.

I’ll be honest: the paint jobs on these fellows probably won’t win any historical accuracy awards. Some colours might be slightly off, some details a touch “inspired by” rather than strictly authentic. But you know what? I’m really pleased with how they turned out. They look the part, they capture the spirit of the film beautifully, and I’m looking forward to getting them onto the table soon - just not in a game involving actual Zulus. Not yet. I’m not ready for that many models!