Michael Caine originally auditioned for the part of Private Henry Hook, but was beaten to it by James Booth.
Michael Caine visited the officers' mess of the Scots Guards at Pirbright to perfect his accent.
Richard Burton's narration was recorded at a sound studio in Paris on the 21st September 1963.
Stanley Baker had no difficulty raising finance because producer Joseph E. Levine said he would back any project Baker wanted to do. Baker said there was a project he was planning. Levine asked what it was called and Baker replied, "Zulu". Levine said, "Zulu! I like that title. I will back you". Baker told this in a radio interview in England, and this account is confirmed by his widow in one of the "extras" on the Paramount DVD of the film.
Stanley Baker owned John Chard's Victoria Cross (and other medals) from 1972 until his death in 1976. Originally thought to be what is known as a "cast copy", the Victoria Cross was later proven, after a series of tests, to be the original. Unfortunately, Baker died never knowing he had the real VC.
James Booth's character, Private Henry Hook, was required to be in the field hospital which were mostly interior shots. Therefore he did not travel with the cast and crew to South Africa for the filming.
Jack Hawkins was upset at the way his character (Rev. Witt) was shown on film, and refused to attend the opening.
Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, from a long line of Zulu warriors and royalty, played the part of his ancestor, King Cetywayo in the film. "I played my great grandfather. The director had actually identified a radio announcer (to play the part) but when he saw me he said that he saw a family resemblance and persuaded me to take part as an extra".
Joe Powell's role was much bigger but he became ill during the period when his scenes were to be shot.
A new set of lyrics for the Welsh Anthem "Men of Marlech" was written just for this film. People still mistake this version of MOH for the "Original". The "Zulu Film Lyrics" are:Men of Harlech, stop your dreaming:Can't you see the spearpoints gleamingSee the warrior pennants streamingO'er the battle fieldMen of Harlech, stand ye steadyIt can not be ever said yeFor the battle were not ready --Welshmen never yield!From the hills reboundingLet this war cry soundingSummon all at Cambria's callThe mighty foe surrounding --Men of Harlech, on to gloryThis will ever be your story:Keep these burning words before ye --Welshmen will not yield!
According to a recent book Stanley Baker intended the role of Private Hitch to be played by "the actor from That Was the Week That Was whose surname begins with a K". He was alluding to Roy Kinnear without realizing that the series also starred David Kernan. When Kernan turned up on the set Baker realized his mistake but hired him anyway.
Because of the apartheid laws in South Africa at the time, none of the actors who portrayed the Zulu warriors were allowed to attend the premiere of the movie.
Because of the strict apartheid laws enforced in South Africa at the time, the Zulu extras could not be paid equivalent rates to their white counterparts. To get around this, director Cy Endfield gifted all of the animals bought for this film (particularly cows) to the tribes - a gift far more valuable to them than the money that had been denied them.
Because the film was shot in South Africa, the cast and crew were lectured on the need to refrain from fraternizing with the topless tribal dancers since the penalty for interracial sex in the country at the time was seven years hard labor.
Because the Zulus who were playing the extras in the film had never seen a movie, Stanley Baker held an outdoor screening of a Gene Autry movie for them so they would have an idea of what movies were all about.
Colour Sergeant Bourne, shown as a much older man in the film, was actually only 24 years old during the defense of Rorke's Drift and was the last defender of the post to die - as an honorary Lieutenant Colonel on VE Day, 8th May 1945, at the age of 91.
Commissary Dalton was in no way the upper class twit he comes across in the film. In fact, he was the most experienced soldier there. Also Dalton played a major part in the defense and battle plans of the garrison. Chard and Bromhard would turn to him for advice on many issues.
Director Cy Endfield wanted a camera crane that was lightweight when disassembled so that it could be packed and transported through the African bush. Ken Eddy designed the first Filmair Giraffe camera crane for the job and in so doing began the world's best known camera crane company. This key piece of film gear is still used in the movie industry.
During filming one of the technical advisers was the princess of the Zulu tribe, and was also historian of the tribe. She knew perfectly the strategy of the battle so she drew it on the sand and Cy Endfield shot it exactly how she drew it.
During the first combat scenes, the powder charge is significant. In the later battle scenes, the rifles buck less because the powder charge is less. This was because at close range, even blanks were still dangerous.