The Four Feathers (2002)

A British officer resigns his post just before battle and subsequently receives four white feathers from his friends and fiancee as symbols of what they believe to be his cowardice.

Director:

Shekhar Kapur

Writers:

A.E.W. Mason (novel), Michael Schiffer (screenplay),

Stars:

Wes Bentley, Mohamed Bouich, Kate Hudson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Wes Bentley	...	Jack Durrance
Mohamed Bouich	...	Sudanese Storyteller
Campbell Brown	...	Dervish Ansar
Daniel Caltagirone	...	Gustave
James Cosmo	...	Col. Sutch
Andy Coumbe	...	Colonel Other Regiment
Angela Douglas	...	Aunt Mary
Karim Doukkali	...	Egyptian Orderly
Lucy Gordon	...	Isabelle
Megan Hall	...	Millie
James Hillier	...	Drunken Corporal
Nick Holder	...	British Lion
Djimon Hounsou	...	Abou Fatma
Kate Hudson	...	Ethne Eustace
Alex Jennings	...	Colonel Hamilton

Storyline

Set in 1884 Sudan, this fifth film to be adapted from the A.E.W. Mason novel follows a British officer who resigns his post right before his regiment ships out to battle the rebels. Perceiving his resignation as cowardice, his friends and fiancée give him four white feathers, the symbol of cowardice, but little do they know he's actually going undercover and plans to redeem his honor.

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Plot Keywords:

cowardice | battle | friend | white feather | british | 

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Taglines:

What would you kill for?

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense battle sequences, disturbing images, violence and some sensuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Paramount

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Las cuatro plumas

Filming Locations:

Bledlow, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$80,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$165,725 (Japan) (19 September 2003)

Gross:

$495,874 (Japan) (26 September 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Miramax Films, Jaffilms

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min 125 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jude Law was the original choice for the role of Harry Feversham.

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Goofs

In the beginning while the troops are training they charge dummies with bayonets. Several bayonets are obviously rubber.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Title Card: By 1884 over a quarter of the earth's surface had been conquered by the British Army. There was no greater honor for a young man than to fight for Queen and Country. Those that refused the call to arms brought shame and humiliation on their friends and families...
Title Card: The Symbol of their disgrace was the white feather of cowardice...

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Connections

References Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

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Soundtracks

"Good Night Ladies"
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

Read a history book before you make a movie...

This film has very little to do with the novel on which it claims to be based. Historically it is highly inaccurate. To take one example of a good many, no British soldier wore a red jacket on active service in 1898. The last time the British Army wore red in action was in 1885 & it was unusual then. The Mahdist ansar became a very nasty type fanatic & killed many, many thousands of their own people. This is much the worst of an often remade story.