Review of The Four Feathers (2002) by Christy O — 25 Sep 2007

The Four Feathers should be a well known story to many people as this version is, I think, the sixth reincarnation of the classic tale. Its an old style boys own adventure romp all about doing the right thing for Queen and country, winning the day and getting the girl. There are many films that fall into the same genre, and this film can be seen as a mix of three equal ingredients. The Bengal Lancers and all of those films of dashing military heroics of Queen Victoria's redcoats constitute the raw ingredient. Add to this one third Lawrence of Arabia for the honour, duty and friendship element. Top this of with a light dressing of Doctor Zivago for the lost love and you have Shekhar Kapur's remake. So with so many previous versions of this tale already trapped in celluloid was there a need to retell this story? One of the problems with telling tales of Empire in these more enlightened times is that its very easy to slip into the flag waving xenophobia of past productions and before you can say "dundee cakes on the Piccadilly Line old bean" and other such overtly British utterances you have almost slipped into a piece of right wing propaganda. This time however there is a bit more depth and balance between the heroics and stiff upper lips and that is what ultimately saves the film and justifies its existence.

Harry Faversham (Heath Ledger) is a trainee officer in the Cumbrian Regiment and whilst his companions are just champing at the bit to see action and serve their country, Harry is really only there to continue the family tradition and would rather settle down with his fianc (Kate Hudson) lead a quite life in obscurity and safety. Then the news arrives that there's trouble brewing in the Sudan and the Mad Mardi and his whirling dervishes are threatening British interests in the area and the powers that be are going to send the boys in, the boys in this case being Harry's Regiment. Consumed by fear, Harry does the only thing that he can think of, resigns his commission and leaves the army. As a result his three closest friends and his fianc, Ethne, each send him a white feather, the symbol of cowardice. Whilst his friends ship of for foreign parts, Harry realises that he cant live under this cloud and must do something heroic to redeem himself, and so stiffens his upper lip, girds his loins and heads for the Sudan after them. Without giving too much of the action away, Harry then proceeds through various scrapes and adventures to prove that he is made of the right stuff after all. Whilst his friends are suffering the hardships of military life, Harry is undergoing a lonelier and more dangerous existence, making sure he is in just the right place time after time to ensure his friends survival, a guardian angel of his own creation.

One of the more interesting and better developed characters is Abou Fatma played by Djimon Hounsou, a nomadic assassin, himself and outsider who takes Harry under his wing. The coupling of these two characters makes for some of the better pieces of dialogue in the film.

Abou Fatma: Are you a deserter?

Harry Faversham: Something like that. I was sent to fight and I ran away.

Abou Fatma: Why?

Harry Faversham: Why? I just... There are many reasons why. Mostly I was afraid.

Abou Fatma: [laughs] I found you half dead crossing the desert alone. And you say you are afraid?

Harry Faversham: There's a different kind of fear. Why are you protecting me?

Abou Fatma: God put you in my way. I have no choice.

Harry Faversham: God? An Englishman... and a Christian? You must have done something terrible to offend him.

It is in this part of the film that a nice balance is achieved, we see that courage is not just about glorious cavalry charges and friendship crosses colour and creed, two worlds are thrown together with the meeting of these two and you realise that people the same where ever you go and the film is no longer an us and them set up, its not about the brave redcoats whistling Onward Christian Soldiers as they fend of the foreign devil, its about humanity, inner strength and friendship.

From a Cinematic point the film is a joy, there is so much beauty to be had in filming the desert and here they didn't miss a trick. The stark and tranquil calm to the fierce sandstorms, the sun set over the dunes and the rocky screes of the slave camps all have been used to great affect. There is action enough for the most avid military history buff, though don't expect a documentary account of events, this is entertainment, but entertainment with an eye for authenticity. It does justify its re-emergence and over hall, and stays fairly much faithful to previous renderings of the story. The cast do well, though my age old complaint of why make a thoroughly British story with mainly American lead players, raises its head. Kate Hudson, seems the most miss-cast but as her character is only integral to the story in Harry's thoughts, we don't have to put up with too much of her.

The film is worth a watch and for those into this genre, a worthy addition to the collection. So its chocks away ginger, jolly hockey sticks and last one to bag a fuzzy wuzzy is a rotten oik..sorry just got carried away.