a company of the british army's 24th regiment of foot is using the missionary station of rorke's drift in natal as a supply depot and hospital for their invasion force across the border in zululand. receiving news of isandhlwana from the natal native contingent commander adendorff, who warns that an army of 4,000 zulu warriors is advancing to the british position, lieutenant john chard (stanley baker) of the royal engineers assumes command of the small british detachment. lieutenant gonville bromhead (michael caine), an infantry officer, is rather put out to find himself subordinate to an engineer due to the latter's slightly earlier commission. realising that they cannot outrun the zulu army with wounded soldiers, chard decides to make a stand at the station, using wagons, sacks of mealie, and crates of ship's biscuit to form a defensive perimeter. witt becomes drunk and demoralises the men with his overtly dire predictions; the soldiers of the natal native contingent desert. chard orders witt to be locked up in a supply room.