The other night, Leesa and I watched the 1964 British film, Zulu. Michael Caine played Lt Gonville Bromhead, Royal Army, an officer at the site of the battles, Rorke’s Drift, during the Anglo-Zulu War in South Africa. It was meant to be Caine’s breakout role, but it nearly ended his dream of becoming an A-list actor. He played the character as a highborn aristocrat, which Bromhead, born at Versailles, was. The executive producer, Joseph E Levine, however, didn’t get it and wanted the newcomer gone. The kid stayed in the picture, but it was a tenuous first go and Caine got beat up pretty good.
© 2024 John Oliver
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