Original subtitles

Win him back, brother!

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

before we regret having saved his life!

My king requests the return of his son only.

So be it.

Wear it proudly...

my son.

And spit on my mother's pride?

Leave the land of the Zulus now!

I will be king!

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

he continues to discredit you.

Find him. Bring him back.

What will I tell my king?

That his son is my guest.

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

This is ridiculous.

Rush the other line! Get in closer!

Even stab the enemy!

[theme song playing]

[vocalizing]

[singing in Zulu]

♪ We are growing higher ♪

♪ Growing higher ♪

[owl hooting]

[various animals chattering]

[goat bleating]

[dramatic music playing]

[animal howling]

[speaking indistinctly]

[dramatic music playing]

[speaking indistinctly]

[speaking in Zulu]

Ngibona Wena, Son of Zulu.

Then you know me?

We have been waiting.

I need your craft, Baba.

For the forging of a weapon.

Describe it.

[Shaka] The head is larger than the normal spear.

It's wider...

And the shaft is shorter.

I've brought a goat as payment.

Landan' Imbuzi.

[speaking indistinctly]

[dramatic music playing]

[metal clanging]

[owl hooting]

[suspenseful music playing]

[wind blowing]

What is it?

The Nameless one.

Only he can give the blade with the power of its own.

[wind blowing]

[suspenseful music playing]

[Ngonyama] Tell him to come.

[The nameless one] As you possess this blade,

it will possess you.

So be it.

[The nameless one] The spirit of the blade speaks.

No.

Its spirit of Shaka, speaks.

[speaking indistinctly]

So be it, Son of Zulu.

Take this spear and with it

let the sun cast your powers

to the ends of this earth.

[singing in Zulu]

[vocalizing]

♪ We are growing higher ♪

♪ Growing higher ♪

[singing in Zulu]

[speaking Zulu]

Out.

[Bhuza] Well, what a pleasant surprise!

Welcome back, Shaka!

We've missed you.

We haven't had a good laugh in quite some time.

I had some thinking to do.

Ah, so we have a thinker in our ranks, do we?

And what have you been thinking about?

Your behaviour in the Dlamini war,

and your making fools of me and my regiment?

Yebo, Baba.

Yebo! Yebo! Yebo, what?

Yes, that's what I was thinking about.

And what conclusions did you finally reach, if any?

I was foolish.

Good. Very good.

I admire a man who admits when he's wrong.

[laughs]

[Shaka] I didn't say I was wrong, General.

Just foolish.

Where are your sandals?

Oh, yes, I almost forgot,

you 'lost' them on the battlefield, didn't you?

We can always provide you with others, you know.

Or do they still slow you down?

They do, sir.

By the way, we won that war.

Congratulations, General.

Where are your spears, soldier?

Or have you been thinking we ought to fight without weapons?

No, sir.

My weapon is here.

So now you think our three traditional weapons

are too many too long,

and not good enough for you!

Exactly, General.

You put that very well.

Allow me to show you something.

[speaking Zulu]

I need two volunteers.

Sheshani, Madoda... I said I need two volunteers!

Joko!

Mtonga! Sheshani!

[Shaka] Good.

Would you mind joining them, General?

All right.

Kill me!

Ngulaleni!

I have no time for games!

This is not a game, General.

Come, I'm waiting.

Don't just stand there like a pack of old women.

Kill me!

Old woman!

[speaking Zulu]

[yelling]

And that's what the larger shield's for, General.

Mtonga, Joko,

you're not being cooperative.

[speaking Zulu]

And move in closer, man to man.

Contact...

Lock the enemy's shield.

Exposing his flank.

And aim for the heart!

Arm yourself, General.

Spear!

Shield!

Are you ready, General?

Ready!

[Shaka] Contact!

Hook the enemy's shield.

Aim for the heart.

What is this, a game?

For the lack of a better word, General,

we call it war!

Impi!

[Bhuza] He just isn't made for military life!

I've done what I could. He just doesn't know

the meaning of the word, "Discipline"!

Besides, you saw it yourself on the battlefield.

He is totally irresponsible.

[Nagomane] Kuta, does this new method of his work?

It's hard to tell, but I think it's worth trying.

Worth trying?

Oh, yes. Worth trying

if you want to turn my men into killers.

There's always been a fine distinction between soldiering

and killing, General.

Many would say that soldiers are killers.

Only if killing is in the best interests of victory.

So far we have been victorious in all our battles

with virtually no bloodshed.

Now, I don't see why we should change a winning strategy!

Yet, there may be times when new techniques are useful.

What if you went into battle

and found that your enemy is fighting differently?

Not according to regulations?

That couldn't happen!

Our honour prohibits it.

The enemy cannot start fighting any way it wants to!

Warfare would turn into a disorganized farce!

No, Nkosi. There's only one way to fight, tried and tested.

And what if it did happen?

It may change the course of the battle. Not so?

Most likely.

In other words, fighting differently might

possibly help win a war?

Without a doubt, Wena Wohlanga.

[Dingiswayo] I suggest

a reserve unit equipped with new strategy.

When would you like to test it, Nkosi Yamakhosi?

Against the Buthelezis. They declared war.

The Buthelezis?

But they are no threat to us.

Uh, I think the rumour of an alliance

between the Buthelezis and the Zulus might be true.

It would be well to be prepared.

About how many men would you want

at the brigade, WenaweMkuu?

Fifty, I would say. To start with, all volunteers.

They usually make the best soldiers.

Do you think Shaka can raise that much support?

Mmm-mm.

Oh, yes.

Good. Then proceed on this as soon as possible.

Nkosi Wohlanga.

Ngomane.

- Wena Wohlanga! - [all] Wena Wohlanga!

- Nyambose! - [all] Nyambose!

And what was that all about?

For once, General, I think the, "tried and tested”

has been overruled!

[grunts]

[speaking Zulu]

[horn blowing and drum beating]

[speaking Zulu]

All right, men.

Who's it going to be?

[suspenseful music playing]

♪ We are growing higher ♪

♪ Growing higher ♪

[Shaka] I only need 50 of you for the time being, that is.

Strategy!

Speed!

And physical contact!

The leopard hunts,

waiting for the best moment to strike.

Next, he uses his speed

to outrun the victim.

And, finally,

physical contact.

When he sinks his fangs into the impala's throat.

Our strategy is ludicrous.

We go out of our way

to make our presence known.

And our warfare

has no physical contact

and no close combat.

In fact, we toss away our weapons,

hoping that the enemy

will be courteous enough...

[speaking Zulu]

to return them to us.

Our strategy will come later.

Let's start with speed.

Take off your sandals!

[dramatic music playing]

In return for your dedication,

I promise you glory.

If anyone here feels

that bruised feet are too high a price to pay for glory,

he must say so now!

Run!

[dramatic music playing]

I have a feeling we were better off with Bhuza,

at least he respected a man's right to be lazy.

[Mgobozi] Give him a chance. He's just starting.

[Joko] That's what I'm afraid of.

[speaking Zulu]

[dramatic music playing]

[speaking Zulu]

Run!

[Shaka] We are the separate finks

that join to make the backbone of an animal.

In combat we are one person, one mind.

[speaking Zulu]

[speaking Zulu]

[metal clanging]

[speaking Zulu]

[speaking Zulu]

[Shaka speaking Zulu]

[dramatic music playing]

[speaking Zulu]

Let's go through it again.

Twenty men in the centre

displayed in four rows of five.

They make up the head of the formation.

The two groups of 15 men each

our fastest runners will be the horns.

The head will advance first,

with the horns hidden behind it.

That's phase one.

Then, when I give the word,

the horns will sweep out on both sides.

That's phase two.

Phase three: The horns will encircle the enemy

and close in.

Is that clear?

Then let's try it.

[speaking Zulu]

[dramatic music playing]

Phase one!

Phase two!

Phase three!

We are ready.

[cheering and whistling]

[distant cheering]

[cows mooing]

[crowd cheering]

Can a man have so much hate

that he would form an alliance with an enemy

and go to war in order to kill his own son?

[singing in Zulu]

[singing in Zulu]

Attack!

Lindelani.

[singing in Zulu]

[speaking Zulu]

[speaking Zulu]

[speaking Zulu]

[speaking Zulu]

What is he waiting for?

[speaking Zulu]

Now, let's see if war is still the game they want it to be.

[dramatic music playing]

[yelling]

[Shaka] Phase one!

[dramatic music playing]

Attack!

[Shaka] Phase two!

[dramatic music playing]

[Shaka] Phase three!

[screaming]

[ominous music playing]

[Henry] With this one battle, Shaka had re-shaped the form of African warfare.

Never again would battles in this region of the continent be the same.

For Shaka was about to begin what was to become known

as the Umfaqane.

A reign of terror that would be unparalleled

in Africa's turbulent history.

[singing in Zulu]

[ominous music playing]

[speaking Zulu]

[speaking Zulu]

[chanting in Zulu]

[dramatic music playing]

[screaming]

[warriors screaming]

[grunting]

[people wailing]

Ndabezitha.

[screaming]

[panting]

Do you remember Mvunda?

Do you know how she died?

Starvation and exhaustion.

A slow, painful way to die especially for an old woman.

Her death could have been avoided...

if someone hadn't burned our grain...

forcing her to become an outcast.

Where is your spear? [laughing]

What would you do

if she had been your grandmother?

- Hmm? - [prisoners crying]

[screaming]

[ominous music playing]

[Shaka] You disapprove of me, Makedama?

No, Shaka. I disapprove of the Great Sigidi.

The man who fights like a million.

You were kind to my mother and me

and I won't forget that.

I will not kill you or your people.

I'm glad to see that you

have grown in the ways of justice, Shaka.

I wonder how many see you for what you really are?

A Killer.

A killer who's contaminated his armies with his own cold-blooded

thirst for revenge.

Building the Mtetwa confederacy is a pretence.

The wars you wage are, in fact, very private

and concern only a chosen few.

Each of your battles is a trial

in which the enemy is condemned to death

for having caused your family, hardship.

Each village you burn to the ground is the home you were denied.

Each man whose lungs you burst open

is responsible for Nandi's suffering!

Stop it, Shaka!

Your thirst for revenge

has already been quenched a million times over.

Sigidi!

My thirst for revenge against you

and your people is now quenched, Makedama!

[speaking Zulu]

[ominous music playing]

[owl hooting]

[speaking Zulu]

[grunting]

[gasping]

Leave us now.

Please, leave us now.

[grunting]

Mudli... is that you?

Yes, Nkosi.

Mkabayi?

I'm here, my brother.

Who shall it be?

Who shall I condemn

to death?

Nkosi?

Shaka will kill

whomever I pick.

[sighs]

Whom shall it be?

Haah... help me, Mudli.

I fear, Nkosi,

only you can choose your heir.

[gasping]

Let Sigujana rule...

as long...

as he can...

long...

as Shaka...

[woman crying]

[ominous music playing]

[speaking Zulu]

[chanting Zulu]

Has he named a successor?

[Dingiswayo] Sigujana.

[Shaka] The least likely candidate.

Even in death he has shown weakness.

I'm sorry Shaka.

Why should you be sorry, Baba?

That man's death works to my advantage.

He was your father.

Bloodlines!

They're always demanding our allegiance.

My conception

was a moment of pleasure for him

and the beginning of a lifelong struggle for me.

If I have tears,

I'll shed them for myself,

not for my father.

[sighs]

Shaka, how many regiments will you take to Eskebeni?

Are you implying that I march in and take the throne?

I am certainly not one to keep a man from his destiny.

I'll need someone to officiate

as Prime Minister at my coronation.

I obviously can't use Mudli.

He'd just as soon stab me with the Royal Assegai as hand it over to me.

Ngomane,

would you do me the honour?

It would be my pleasure, Nkosi.

Wena Wezulu.

[women crying]

[bones cracking]

[chanting in Zulu]

[speaking Zulu]

[women crying]

[chanting in Zulu]

[women crying]

[chanting prayers in Zulu]

[chanting in Zulu]

[women crying]

[chanting in Zulu]

[bugle playing]

[speaking Zulu]

[Mudli] Behold the everlasting spear from generation to generation!

[speaking Zulu]

[speaking Zulu]

[dramatic music playing]

[chanting in Zulu]

[dramatic music playing]

[dramatic music playing]

[music stops]

[music resumes]

In the name of all that is sacred

leave this kraal. Now!

[ominous music playing]

Does my presence frighten you, Elder,

or is it your guilt that prevents your allegiance?

[spits]

Your regiments cannot win my allegiance, Shaka.

Son of Nandi!

Senzagakona kaJama Zulu...

the true descendant of Zulu kaMalandela

has dictated his choice.

I will defend that decision with my life!

I will not allow you to defile the divine rituals of my tribe.

Now leave this Kraal! Now!

Sigujana.

Kill this man.

[crowd chattering]

Ah...

He's insulted the king.

Now...

there will be darkness!

I pray that the ancestors will preserve and protect our tribe

and safeguard the past

as it was.

Nothing will be as it was,

ever again.

Now, kill him!

[dramatic music playing]

[Sigujana crying]

Sigujana, do you acknowledge me as your king?

Yes!

Yes, Shaka! You are my lord!

My master!

[speaking Zulu]

[Shaka] Then you are a fool.

[screaming]

[singing in Zulu]

Ngomane!

Is there anyone here who wishes to disapprove of this decision?

No one speaks!

We Dingane,

We Mhlangana?

Then...

Salute your king!

[speaking Zulu]

[chanting in Zulu]

And now, hail the queen of queens!

Bayete Ndlovukazi!

[crowd chanting]

[dramatic music playing]

♪ My son will rule through me ♪

Besides this man, mother,

is there anyone else here who has offended you?

[suspenseful music playing]

No, no one.

Take your place, mother.

[dramatic music playing]

[speaking Zulu]

[singing and drums beating]

Look at them, Ngomane.

They must be asking themselves,

What is Shaka?

Where is he going?

What does he want?

And what does he want?

Hoooo... They'll soon learn, Ngomane.

There'll be but one reality...

War!

And when there are no wars?

I'll create them, Ngomane. [laughs]

[singing in Zulu]

[Henry] My chronicle of Shaka's life and his rise

to power was almost complete,

but that extraordinary story

was soon to be enhanced by events

which were now to take over our lives.

[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]