The Four Feathers, based on the novel by AEW Mason - Eight out of 10

The Four Feathers, based on the novel by AEW Mason

Eight out of 10

The main character of this formidable motion picture is a very peculiar, valiant, intriguing young man – Harry Feversham.

Alas, we can say that about the fabulous, late actor that portrays him – extremely talented, but difficult to understand and bent on provocative, self-destructive behavior.

The hero is an officer in the British Army, in 1884, and he is enthusiastic about his relationship with Ethne Eustace aka Kate Hudson.

He confesses to her that he has gone out of the Army and all he cares about is his love for his would be wife.

As he tries to explain further his decision, the fact that they were about to be sent abroad and he did not want that, in fact, he only joined the army for his military father, a message come for him.

In the envelope received in a church, there is a message from his friends, colleagues in the same regiment…

There are Four Feathers!

These symbolize cowardice and the decision of the hero to avoid fighting is punished in this way.

When asked by another very strong, important personage about his presence in the desert and the reason why he had abandoned the British officer corps, the hero says it was mostly fear…

The Four Feathers have a traumatic, tremendous effect on the protagonist who would act in an astonishing manner.

Whereas he had refused to travel in an organized, much easier fashion to the Sudan, on the front, he now takes extreme pains to reach the same destination.

He pays a supposed guide to take him to the British forces fighting an insurgency of the Mahdi – was this the name of the rebellious tribes (?)

That man proves soon to be a vicious racist who beats and abuses an African woman that he deems as inferior to him as to allow him all manner of insults and then blows and disgusting behavior.

One may be tempted to say that fortunately this villain pays for it, albeit the ultimate price might be too much.

This is the moment when the hero joins Abou Fatma, a warrior of great skill, stature, pride, fidelity and valor, who is puzzled by the presence of this English in the middle of the desert and his quest for his own troops.

The British forces hire Fatma and Feversham, although they have no idea that the latter is not a native man.

Abou Fatma soon kills another man who had insulted him and he is taken prisoner by the Mahdi, who had occupied a camp of the British, took their uniforms and hanged and killed many.

The hero asks Abou, his new friend and ally, to travel to his friends and alert them on the imminent danger.

Instead of showing his gratitude, taking precautions and preventive measures, the commander of the forces, Tom Willoughby – one of the Four Feathers initiators – orders the torture of the messenger.

While Abou is whipped, the Mahdi attacks, then they pretend they retreat, causing the enemy to send a force of cavalry, only to fall into a first trap and then the tribes attack again.

They are dressed in the uniforms they had taken from those they had killed already and so make the English think they have allies to the rescue.

Castleton – another “Feather” – is killed, while William Trench – Feather three -aka Michael Sheen is taken prisoner.

Jack Durrnace is the last feather aka Wes Bentley and he is blinded by own defective rifle and is shipped home.

In a super human act of valor which makes one wonder as to why did he refuse to fight ion the first place, Harry Feversham decides to walk into the enemy camp and get into prison to be with his Feather Comrade!

The Four Feathers is a surprising drama; with a protagonist that starts by running away from the war, only to make incredible decisions later, showing a courage that make him…Superman.