THE FOUR FEATHERS
UK, 1978, 105 minutes, Colour.
Beau Bridges, Robert Powell, Simon Ward, Richard Johnson, Jane Seymour, Harry Andrews.
Directed by Don Sharp.
The Four Feathers was a British Empire tale of cowardice and self-proving heroism that has appealed to many generations through several film versions despite the changes in attitude to Empire. Here it is again, in the old British adventure style, but still rather low-key, concentrating exclusively on the episodes where the would-be hero (Beau Bridges attempting a stiff upper-lip) rescues his accusing fellow officers (like gentlemanly military Robert Powell and Simon Ward), reclaiming the pretty Jane Seymour as his fiancee and challenging his gruff military father, Harry Andrews. Quite colourful, period setting, some rousing episodes and a treat for those who remember things British, but not the definitive version of the story.
1. A famous and popular story? Its popularity for so long during the 20th. century considering its ingredients, attitudes of British Empire? How historical does it seem in the 70s-80s, how dated?
2. The film has been remade for most generations. Why? The success of this remake, for what audience was it geared? For what attitudes towards heroism, England, war?
3. The film's background of the British Empire, the acquisition and keeping of Empire, colonial attitudes, superior British values? How much are these to be admired? How much are they subject to critique? The strength of British heritage?
4. The colour photography, the re-creation of period England, Egypt? The use of sets, decor, costumes? The action score?
5. The focus on General Willoughby: as a person, his military career and success, his dour personality, his expectations, his imposing his will on his son without the human touch, his disappointment, disowning him? The sadness when his son went away, his ageing? The reconciliation over the heroism? The themes of British Empire focused in him? The emotional feeling for Empire values?
6. Beau Bridges' style as Harry Feversham? An American actor in a very British role? As a young man, strengths and weaknesses? His appearance, not as strong looking as his father? Pleasant personality? His heritage, his memories of his father and mother? Tender memories of his mother, the impositions and expectations of his father? His love for Ethne? The strength of friendship with Jack, William, Thomas Willoughby? The comradeship between the three, military careers and Harry leaving? The build-up to his marriage and love for Ethne? Their meeting in the garden house? The engagement party, the telegrams, the bases for his decision? His reaction, his friends' reaction, Ethne's rejection and the four feathers?
7. The impact of his decision and the feathers? His decision to keep on living? His decision to help ? alternate heroism? Disguise, the link-up with Abou Fatma? His courage and learning the ways of Egypt? Patriotism and serving his country? Heroism?
8. The three friends and their ethos? Comradeship, disillusionment with Harry, the feathers, Jack's love for Ethne? His influencing of her? The build-up to their going off to war?
9. The character of Jack: the build-up of his character and comparison with the other friends, with Harry? His involvement in the ambush, the pain to his eyes, the emotions in the audience of his being led to safety by Harry without his knowing it? His discovery of the truth? His return to England, the visits of Ethne and his pretending not to be blind? His decision on Harry's return to move away? Stoic stiff upper-lip British heroism?
10. The picture of Trench in prison? The detail of the village, the prison, the people, the siege, Harry's ability to escape and take Trench with him? The recognition of the truth?
11. Willoughby's personality? His role in the army, the scene in the tavern, Harry's saving his life and the repercussions for Willoughby?
12. The film's presentation of Harry's heroism, the return of the feathers? Ethne's final realisation of the truth and the happy ending?
13. The Egyptians as symbolised by Abou Fatma and his work for the British? His helping the escape? His death?
14. The action sequences? their limitation within the framework of heroism?
15. The appropriate happy ending? The reconciliation with the General and his emotional response? The appeal of Boys' Own adventure, values and traditions?
