The Four Feathers (1977) (TV)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Don Sharp

Writers:

A.E.W. Mason (novel)
Gerald Di Pego (writer)

Release Date:

1 January 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure

Tagline:

They made him a hero by branding him a coward . . . the story of a man who conquered fear

Plot Keywords:

Remake | Cowardice | British Empire | Based On Novel

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Beau Bridges	...	Harry Faversham
Robert Powell	...	Jack Durrance
Simon Ward	...	William Trench
Jane Seymour	...	Ethne Eustace
Harry Andrews	...	Gen. Faversham
Richard Johnson	...	Abou Fatma
David Robb	...	Thomas Willoughby
Richard Beale	...	Wembol (valet)
Robin Bailey	...	Col. Eustace
John Hallam	...	Sergeant Major
Julian Barnes	...	Lt. Bradley
Mary Maude	...	Mrs. Faversham
Frank Gatliff	...	Old major
Robert Flemyng	...	Old colonel
Robert James	...	John (the butler)

Runtime:

USA:100 min | Norway:100 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Norway:12

Filming Locations:

Hampshire, England, UK

Company:

Norman Rosemont Productions

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: As the prisoners are being herded just before they escape, the handcuffs fall off one of Harry's wrists and he grabs it and holds it on as he shuffles along.

Movie Connections:

Version of Four Feathers (1915)

I still like this version of "The Four Feathers" than the other versions!

I remembered seeing this TV movie a long time ago when I was a kid. I thought it was a thrilling film! A young Englishman decides not to go off to fight in the war and is branded a coward by all his friends, including his girlfriend! They all gave this man four feathers to shame him for being a coward. But Harry Faversham proves to be no coward because he manages to save all of his friends' lives, win back his girl and tell his father off! I loved the costumes and the scenery and the great action scenes. I thought the acting was pretty wonderful too. One of the best scenes is when Harry stands up to his father and tells him that he won't be a soldier for him, and if Harry had any children, he would never pressure them to be something that they do not want to be. Jane Seymour is lovely as usual in these types of costume dramas. Her Ethne had a lot more fire and spirit than the Ethne played by June Duprez in the 1939 remake. Jane Seymour made me totally believe that Ethne was remorseful for driving Harry away and that she still loves him no matter what. The ending of the movie has the two lovers, Harry and Ethne together again, was very romantic to me.

I don't understand about the politics of the times where "The Four Feathers" are in, so I can't comment on that. All I can say is, this movie is engaging, fast moving and poignant. One of the better remakes of this classic tale, and definitely much better than that terrible recent remake with Heath Ledger (kinda blah in this movie) and Kate Hodson (horrible, horrible, horrible, the wrong role for her!). I give this movie an "A" for entertainment!