Original subtitles

Hamba!

If you hurt my mother again, I will kill you!

If this boy is allowed to live, he will bring up the upheaval

of life itself as we know it.

The blood will tell the truth.

Shaka... we have to leave at once!

He must be killed. Now!

Before he is allowed to create a new era.

They're burning our granary!

Come back, Shaka! You must stop him!

It's time they learned, mother.

We must fight back!

Never again will he leave an enemy behind!

Nandi!

You're welcome here.

Thank you.

[theme song playing]

[vocalizing]

[singing in Zulu]

♪ We are growing higher ♪

♪ Growing higher ♪

[indistinct conversation]

[Senzagakona] Be careful with it.

Don't hurt it.

[speaking Zulu]

Bring the cattle here.

Shaka has a brother now.

Ngwadi.

Gendeyana is the father.

[speaking in Zulu]

Things have changed.

How?

When we helped him escape, it was because I believed

it was for the good of our people?

I now know that we were right.

King Kondlo of the Qwabes wants him.

Makedama of the Elangeni also wants him.

Whether it be out of the true friendship or fear,

they all want him on their side.

Yet we, who know better than any of the prophesy,

remain silent.

I think the time has come for Shaka

to take his place here, in this royal house.

He knows nothing about his father...

except for the one-sided stories his mother tells him.

It is time he heard the truth from your own lips.

And what is the truth?

That you love him.

[dramatic music playing]

You never cease to amaze me, my sister.

Your son will soon be a man,

and he will come and claim his right as the leader of Amazulu.

Win him back, brother!

Win him back from that woman before it's too late.

Before we regret having saved his life!

[folk music playing]

Nkosi.

Nkosi.

[speaking Zulu]

Ndabezitha. My prince.

I bring you a message from your father,

King Senzagakona.

He is grieved by the fact that his son

has chosen to wander in distant lands

to live under foreign kings.

He asks for his son's return to the home of his forefathers

so that he can publicly and in front of his own people,

be proclaimed heir to the throne of the House of Zulu.

And what of my mother?

[intense music playing]

My king requests the return of his son only.

Heir, you say, Lutuli?

Yes, Ndabezitha.

So be it.

Tell my father I will be the heir

to the throne of the Amazulu.

[Lutuli] Ndabezitha.

[speaking Zulu]

[dramatic music playing]

We have gathered the boys of the age

set to become men.

Today,

you boys become men.

But first,

receive the spear...

...and war shield...

symbols that you are prepared...

to fight... and to be the shield of Amazulu.

Usuyindoda... Usuyindoda...

Usuyindoda.

[intense music playing]

Today,

you are all going to receive "ung'eto".

A symbol that you are men.

Shaka Zulu... heir to the Zulu throne,

step forward.

Wear it proudly...

my son.

[music continues playing]

Proudly? Must I wear it proudly?

And spit on my mother's pride?

Where were you when we nearly died of hunger?

Persecuted by the scum of this land.

Now, that your calf has grown to be a bull with horns...

you want him in your Royal House?

I accept the spear and shield...

symbols that make me a Zulu warrior.

But this...

I will take by force...

as I've made everything that I am...

by force.

[speaking Zulu]

If my mother is not your royal wife,

then I know no man by the name of Senzagakona Ka Jama.

Enough! Enough!

Leave the land of the Zulus, now!

At sundown the warriors will follow.

If they catch you, they'll kill you.

Go!

[indistinct conversation]

[theme music playing]

I will be king!

[thunder rumbling]

[wolf howling]

[Henry] Once again Shaka's destiny was being guided

by the great "Isangoma,” Sitayi.

For that night as he fled the warriors of his father,

legend records that she caused him

to stumble upon an ambush in the forest.

And although he didn't realize it,

his action on this fateful night

would in later years lead directly

to the fulfilment of the "Isangoma's" prophesy.

[people clamouring]

[leaves rustling]

[crickets chirping]

[owl hooting]

[breathing heavily]

[owl hooting]

[crickets chirping]

[bird cooing]

[grunting]

[birds chirping]

This is where I must leave you, Shaka.

I must go that way.

And I pray that when we are no longer wanderers,

we will meet again

under more pleasant circumstances.

Go now, before the Zulus find you.

- [dramatic music] - Shaka...

- [dramatic music] - Thank you.

[Henry] The two fugitives, Dingiswayo and Shaka

would indeed meet again

but it would be under very different circumstances.

One would have become the king of a powerful paramountcy,

the other would still be a fugitive.

The years passed and Shaka continued to live under King Kondlo

of the Qwabes at Gendeyana's kraal, together with his mother...

developing from adolescence into a powerful warrior.

His reputation as a skilled fighter gaining him support amongst the Zulus

and threatening his father's heirs.

And well they must have been concerned,

for all the while Sitayi maintained

her spiritual influence over Shaka's destiny,

as he moved ever closer to the goal she had set for him.

Since the disgrace of the initiation ceremony all those years ago,

he continues to discredit you, Nkosi.

He has publicly challenged your supremacy as leader of the Zulu people.

And now he has forbidden your Royal herdsmen

to take your cattle to the land of the Qwabes.

Our failure to act against him will make the people feel

that we fear the superstition that surrounds him.

He is no longer your calf, Nkosi, he is a bull, testing its horns.

Frankly, elder, his reaction should not come as such a surprise to us.

After so many years of forced exile,

we should have anticipated his hostility.

Perhaps, Dadewetu, but we be fools to condone it,

especially since his hostilities surpasses the limits of treason.

He must be brought back, baba, charged with high treason

and if found guilty by the council,

executed according to the laws of the land.

This is a vicious circle, Mudli.

Exiled to avoid death.

Now, the death penalty is a consequence of his exile.

Perhaps, my sister, you can think of another way of saving him?

My purpose, Nkosi, has never been to save him.

Personally, I only wish what is best for our people.

Can you see Dinganthe and Siguiana

standing up to him after your death?

The Amazulu would be plunged into civil war.

With the support he is getting amongst your people, he could win.

The Elder is right.

We are faced with an act of high treason,

but who ultimately is to blame for that crime, the boy or his mother?

- Baba, I-- - Hey, let her finish, Mudli.

Can we truthfully say that Shaka's words and actions are the fruit of his own disloyalty?

Or are they, instead, a defiance of his mother?

Members of the council,

there can be no doubt that the boy represents power.

We have seen that in all his actions.

Why destroy that power when we can still harness it for the good of our people?

He's still young. He can be still moulded.

But we must put an end to this woman's influence.

She must be tried for treason and witchcraft...

and if found guilty, executed.

You speak of witchcraft, Dadewetu.

It seems it has blinded you.

What does it take to open your eyes... the death of our king?

Enough.

We have waited too long, Mudli. Find him. Bring him back.

And I want him, alive.

[chanting]

[indistinct conversations]

You must go with your mother.

I will follow as soon as I can.

Shaka will look after you.

[dramatic music playing]

Go now.

Go well, my child.

Look after them, Shaka.

They need you more than ever.

If you reconsider, baba, we will be at the banks of the Umfongozi River.

We'll wait for three days.

If you don't come...

we'll move on.

She doesn't belong to me.

She never was meant to belong to me.

I'll never forget you, baba...

for what you have done for us... for her.

Go now, before it's too late.

[dramatic music continues playing]

Do you think Gendeyana will come?

No, but they will.

Their reputations are at stake.

[people screaming]

[first warrior] They might be there! Find them!

They are gone. It is only him here!

Where have they gone?

[grunts]

Now, tell me, where have they gone?

I'll tell you... nothing.

They can't be far, we'll find them! Masahambeni madoda!

[foreboding music playing]

[foreboding music playing]

[birds chirping]

Go to grandmother's grave. I'll meet you there in a week at the most.

And, mother, this is the last time you're running.

Hurry! We must go.

[indistinct conversation]

Alive.

It won't hurt to slow him down. It'll make our job easier.

[grunting]

[Yells]

[speaking Zulu]

He's down there!

[speaking Zulu]

[chanting]

[foreboding music playing]

[grunts]

[men speaking Zulu]

[grunts]

[dramatic music playing]

[grunts]

[grunts]

[indistinct conversation]

[dramatic music playing]

[indistinct conversation]

[grunts]

[indistinct singing]

[speaking in native language]

[men speaking Zulu]

[Dili Kane] Put that man down! Wozani, madoda!

Pick him up!

He needs help or he'll die!

Yes, he will. But not until he's been tried for treason.

Now, pick him up!

Leave that man alone. I said, let him go!

This is none of your concern, old man.

Shaka belongs to us.

You are in Mtetwa territory now.

Your internal matters have no meaning here.

Pick him up!

I suggest, don't Zulu!

Who will stop us, you?

No, but they will.

[cheering]

Those Zulus are very far from home.

I wonder what they are doing here?

That's a very good question.

Now, move, you will take him to my Kraal?

All right, pick him up.

[children laughing]

Kuta! Keep an eye on the Zulus. I'm going to see what's happened.

[panting]

And now, father?

[speaking Zulu]

Will he live?

I'll do my best.

[people cheering]

[chanting]

- A Zulu, you say, are you sure? - Yes, Nkosi.

And what is his name?

They tell us he's called Shaka.

The Zulus are waiting for him, but I left my troops to see that they do not get to him.

He's getting the best medicine possible?

What are you saying?

His condition is desperate. It looks as though he may not recover.

I see. If he should recover, I wish to see him.

[speaking Mtetwa]

I'll do so.

[drum roll]

[howling]

[foreboding music playing]

[Zulu warriors panicking]

[howling] [Zulu warriors in panic]

[foreboding music playing]

[women screaming]

[thunder claps]

[crowd clamouring]

[men singing]

[Henry] Shaka, the fugitive, was now about to reap

the rewards of that fateful night in the forest so many years ago,

when he delayed his own flight from danger to help an unknown warrior.

What he did not know then

was that the man whose life he'd saved was, in fact, a Mtetwa prince.

[grunts]

Wena Wezulu.

Rise, Shaka.

It is my fortune that you have recovered.

You--

It would appear that our destinies are interlocked, Shaka.

Godogwana?

Dingiswayo the "Wanderer."

[pleasant music playing]

I don't mean to sound disrespectful, Wena Wezulu...

but what are you doing here?

- [laughing] - Hlala phansi!

[speaking Zulu]

I'm trying my best to run my people's tempestuous hearts.

And what are you doing here?

Trying my best to run from my people's tempestuous hearts!

What is this talk of...

"treason?"

I'm not completely sure.

But I think my father has decided that

a dead son is less of an inconvenience than a live one.

[laughter]

What do you want me to say to him?

Whatever you think will fit the situation.

I want you and your men out of my kingdom by sunset.

How's that?

It's been known to work, Wena Wezulu.

What will I tell my king, Nkosi?

That his son is my guest.

My son, his guest, is that all he had to say?

- Yebo, Nkosi! - Phuma!

Ndabezitha.

Ndabezitha!

- Phuma! - Nkosi.

No purpose is served by getting so angry.

Since the day he was conceived,

this "Shaka" has brought me only disrepute and outrage!

Twice, I've risked war with the Elangeni for his sake.

And now,

after two dozen of my best warriors return empty handed,

I'm told that he lives under the shadow of the mighty Dingiswayo,

the ruler of what is becoming the most powerful paramountcy in the land!

That boy...

...is already on my throne...

making decisions for me.

Manipulating the fate of my house through his powerful friends.

We'll be virtually isolated!

The time has come for me to force my hand.

The time has finally come for war!

But Nkosi, war with the Mtetwas is suicide!

They outnumber us ten to one!

- But perhaps by talking-- - No, Mudli! No more messengers.

No more discussions.

We're outnumbered, but Dingiswayo has other enemies

like King Pungashe of the Buthelezi.

I'm sure that he and I will find

that we now have a great deal in common.

War! There is no other way.

Our dignity is at stake.

[breathing heavily]

[dramatic music playing]

And, perhaps, my throne.

[indistinct chattering]

[pleasant music playing]

Known him long?

The king, I mean.

You two look like old friends.

What did you do? Save his life?

Yes.

[Henry] Shaka had at last found a protector in Dingiswayo,

a man who dreamed of bringing peace,

unity, and a common identity to the peoples of his regime.

Dingiswayo has begun to realise a dream which would eventually be Shaka's to finish.

Here you learn to sleep in the open, like a soldier.

I told you men to keep this place clean!

Dlaba?

Mhh?

You just have to know how to keep them in line!

[laughs]

You will sleep over here...

[intense music]

You'll sleep over there.

I'll leave you men to get acquainted.

Kuta!

[speaking in native language]

I'm Mgobzi. This is Dlaba, and that's Nqoboka.

That's Mtonga. Over there is Joko.

- Which place is mine? - Oh... Over here.

I don't care whose friend he is, he makes me nervous!

- Who? - The Zulu.

This is his first day here and he's already telling me how to run my regiment.

Why? What did he say?

He didn't have to say anything,

it's his eyes that did the talking.

I've never seen such an arrogant bastard in all my life!

Come, aren't you exaggerating a bit, Bhuza?

You see, all the men are pretty much on

the defensive when they arrive here.

Give him a chance to acclimatize to military life.

Oh, he'll get used to military life, all right.

I'll make sure he does.

[dramatic music playing]

He promises to be the best soldier we've ever had.

Only if his attitude changes. Men like him could be dangerous in battle.

He's too independent.

Ah, this is ridiculous. You couldn't hit an elephant from this distance!

Excuse me, General.

Yes?

The fronts are too far apart.

- Too far apart? - Yes, General.

By the time our spears reach the enemy, they have no thrust left.

I see.

And what do you suggest we do about that?

Rush the other line! Get in closer!

So we can throw our spears with more precision.

Maybe even stab the enemy!

Our traditional distance is 50 paces.

I know, sir. But I don't think it's effective.

Not effective?

Wars have been fought like this for as long as anyone can remember,

and you come along and say "It's not effective?"

Yes, General.

Who do you think you are?

A soldier, General. Trying to do my job as best I can.

Don't you realize, soldier,

that if we start rushing them,

they'll start rushing us?

That if they have more casualties, so will we?

I've thought of that, General.

I think it's advisable to make our shields bigger.

Large enough to cover the whole body.

In that way, we can get as close as we need to and still be well protected.

Then why don't we just go into battle wearing our huts?

Too cumbersome, General.

The distance is 50 paces. Our shields remain the same.

Is that clear?

- Yes, General. - Now go back to your regiment.

And if you have any other smart ideas, keep them to yourself.

I don't like troublemakers.

Yes, General.

Next thing you know, he'll be telling us our spears are too long!

But they are, General.

[speaking in native language]

- [chanting] - Just look at you, you lazy lot.

[chanting]

You could all be killed by your...

[speaking in native language]

Where are your sandals?

Here they are, General. They slow me down.

I won't be needing them.

Are you trying to tell me that

your feet are tougher than ox hide soles?

Yes, General.

[speaking in native language]

Put it out with your foot!

[indistinct conversations ]

As I said, General...

"I won't be needing them."

I don't care...

if you can put out a volcano with those feet!

You are a soldier! Soldiers wear sandals!

Put them back on!

Yes, General!

Generals like Bhuza are dangerous.

He lacks imagination.

His mind is as nimble as a slab of stone!

That's the way it should be.

Soldiers take orders without thinking.

Yes, Mgobozi. Soldiers should.

But not Generals!

Warfare must be a vital, creative process!

What can be creative about killing?

A man chosen to wield life and death on the battlefield

must be an artist.

If he isn't, he's simply a murderer.

What's the difference?

You'll know soon enough

when we march against the Dlamini.

[indistinct chattering]

[speaking in native language]

[men singing in native language]

[Henry] The Battle against the Dlaminis was to be a turning point

in Shaka's fighting career.

The battles were often staged in a manner somewhat

in the character of a jousting tournament.

These battles comprised demonstrative gestures

with the occasional flinging of long stemmed spears.

Whenever an army exhausted its supplies,

then the warriors would join their supporting spectators,

singing and hurling verbal abuse

and in this way generally trying to outdo the other side.

Occasionally, some would enter the foray

and some may be wounded or overpowered

but, it generally remained a festive occasion.

And when the day was done, and the battle fought,

it was argued that surely

war was won by subjugation, and not by destruction.

Shaka would not see it that way.

That's it? That's war?

Yes, in all its gory details.

Not if I can help it!

Where does he think he's going?

He can't do that!

He doesn't strike me as the type who knows the meaning

of the word "can't," General.

[people laughing]

[general laughing hysterically]

Go on.

[instrumental music]

[dramatic music playing]

[singing in Zulu]

♪ We are growing higher ♪

♪ Growing higher ♪

[vocalizing]

[singing in Zulu]

♪ Be a man of greatness now ♪

♪ A man so tall A man so kind ♪

♪ Be a man of wisdom now ♪

♪ A man of mind A man of light ♪

♪ Be a man of kindness now ♪

♪ A man so big And strong in mind ♪

♪ Be a man so humble now ♪

♪ A man of men Now let it shine ♪

♪ This is what you are ♪

♪ This is how it was planned now ♪

♪ This is what to be Every kind of man now ♪

♪ This is what to see With a kind of meaning ♪

♪ This is what to feel With a kind of feeling ♪

♪ We are growing, Growing higher and higher ♪

♪ We are growing, Growing higher and higher ♪

♪ We are growing, Growing higher and higher ♪

♪ We are growing, Growing higher and higher ♪

♪ Hear the children Hear the children ♪

♪ They are talking to you ♪

♪ Hear the wind blow Hear the wind blow ♪

♪ It is coming for you ♪

♪ See the grass grow See the grass grow ♪

♪ It whispers his name ♪

♪ See the fire blow See the fire blow ♪

♪ His heart in the flame ♪

[singing in Zulu]

[vocalizing]