most of "zulu" was shot on location in south africa. the mission depot at rorke's drift was recreated beneath the natural amphitheatre in the drakensberg mountains (considerably more precipitous than the real rorke's drift, which is little more than two small hills). the set for the british field hospital and supply depot at rorke's drift was created near the tugela river with the amphitheatre in the background. the real location of the battle was 100 kilometres (60 mi) to the northwest, on the buffalo river near the isolated hill at isandhlwana.