When you have already lost everything that matters most to you, what else have you got to lose? The concept of traveling to another continent to confront your friends and regain your pride is not all that hard to believe. Harry Faversham (Heath Ledger, A Knight’s Tale) is an officer, engaged to the beautiful Ethne Eustace (Kate Hudson, Almost Famous) but just before he is to ship out to the Sudan, he leaves his command. He does not want to fight, and doesn’t understand what the Queen wants with land in the desert. His friends and fiancé send Harry four white feathers. The feathers symbolize his cowardice. He only joined the military because of his father, a high-ranking officer that is heavily decorated. In fact, Ethne’s father was a war hero while dying in battle. Harry thought he could serve his time and not engage in battle. So his friends, fiancé and father have forsaken him, so he must win back his honor by going to the Sudan and returning the feathers.

Once in Africa Harry pays a smuggler to get him across the desert, but he is left for dead until Abou Fatma (Djimon Hounsou, Gladiator) saves him. He is then sold into slavery for the British military. In an effort to gain information to help his friends, he escapes with Abou after some spies also escape. He sends Abou back with critical information to help them, but they flog Abou for his trouble. Meanwhile Jack (Wes Bentley) returned to England to give a speech to gain more support for the troops and speaks with Ethne. She confesses she regrets what she has done and wants Harry back. Jack was the only friend that did not send a feather. She tells Jack what a good friend he is and she will write him. They exchange letters and these are so precious to Jack that he tells the guys he plans to ask her to marry him.

This Shekhar Kapur directed film is full of beautiful footage, wild betrayal, and deep passion. It is hard to believe this guy was afraid of battle, yet waged a war much deeper and harsher than anything he would have encountered. The unconditional friendship between Harry and Abou was remarkable. In fact Abou saved his life on more than one occasion and it was because God put Harry in his way. Not the same Christian God that Harry believes in either. Also appearing in this movie were Michael Sheen, Lucy Gordon (Serendipity) and Rupert Penry-Jones. I give The Four Feathers eight couches.

Last updated: Thursday, March 20, 2008 02:47:56 AM

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