Zulu Dawn (1979) - River Crossing Scene Before Zulu (The Battle of Rorke's Drift) came Zulu Dawn (Battle of Isandlwana), although the films came in reverse order in 1964 and 1979, one off the back of the other. Zulu Dawn is still an excellent movie. The Battle of Isandlwana was fought during the morning and early afternoon of 22nd January 1879 when a force of over 20,000 Zulus attacked a wing of the British invasion force encamped at Isandlwana without a defensive Laager. Lt General Lord Chelmsf