Above: Perhaps the worst film wardrobe rendition of a Victorian era British army uniform in this example from the 1979 production of Zulu Dawn. Intended to depict an 1877 pattern frock and issued to the 24th Foot during the Anglo-Zulu War. While basically correct in overall details, the choice of materials was beyond abysmal.
The fabric chosen is a lightweight synthetic material completely lacking in the weight. structure. and body seen in historical examples. It has the look and feel of a Halloween costume made by a mother for a young child. The buttons are plain brass with a pebbled texturing with no resemblance to the Victorian general service type that would have been actually used. The shoulder strap buttons are a strange, chrome-plated conical variety the choice of which in inexplicable. Replica sphynx collar badges of the 24th Foot were originally glued to the green collar tabs but are now missing.
Above; The uninspiring back of the Zulu Dawn used frock.
Above: A detail of one of the frock's shoulder straps showing what appear to be iron-on regimental numbers for the 24th Foot. Original numbers were metal attached with metal loops an cotter-type pins. The numbers on the opposite shoulder strap are peeling off.
Below; Two screen caps from Zulu Dawn showing examples of the above frocks in use.
