although actual participants of the battle are named characters in the film, they bear little resemblance to historical accuracy. the most controversial portrayal is the one of private hook who is depicted as a thief and malingerer (the real hook was a model soldier and teetotaller). his elderly daughters were so disgusted with the "zulu" character, they walked out of the london premiere in 1964. the fictional depiction has led to an ongoing campaign to have the historical reputation restored to the real private hook. the film's producers admitted they chose hook simply because "they wanted an anti-hero who would come good under pressure".