'Four Feathers' is 'Lawrence of Arabia' of new millennium
By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service
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| THE FOUR FEATHERS (Rated PG-13 for violence, sensuality) Three-and-a-Half Stars (Good-to-Excellent)
A beautifully filmed new adaptation of the classic old adventure saga of British imperialism, seen through a 21st-century prism. Heath Ledger, Wes Bentley, Djimon Hounsou and Kate Hudson co-star for director Shekhar Kapur. Paramount, 127 minutes. |
So says the Arab Abou Fatma (Djimon Hounsou) to the young British adventurer Harry Feversham (Heath Ledger) in the Sudanese desert in Shekhar Kapur's rousing remake of "The Four Feathers."
That's a line you didn't hear in earlier versions of the glorious, old-fashioned adventure saga. After all, the 1939 classic and other earlier adaptations of A.E.W. Mason's 1902 novel bought into the grandiose self-righteousness of the British Empire and sang the praises of the British soldiers battling the Muslim warriors of the Sudan.
In this beautifully photographed new version, the story remains the same, but it's presented through a more balanced — and more modern — prism. After all, director Kapur is himself a native of colonial India (now Pakistan).
In fact, it's Kapur's second opportunity to examine the British Empire from the outside, looking in. (He previously directed Cate Blanchett as "Elizabeth.")
Once again the topic is British efforts to put down a Muslim rebellion in the Sudan — a rebellion led by the religious leader Muhammad Ahmed, known as the Madhi. It is the conflict that would eventually lead to the defeat of British General Charles Gordon at Khartoum.
But "The Four Feathers" opens a decade earlier — in 1875— as young British soldiers are being prepared for battle in the Sudan. One of the bright stars of the regiment, Feversham, has second thoughts. He has natural fears, along with resentment of his father for forcing him into a military career. And, in an element unique in this version, he also questions Britain's involvement in North Africa in general.
"What does a battle in the desert have to do with her majesty, the Queen?" he wonders.
Feversham resigns his commission, bringing shame on his family name. His best friends in the regiment, including Jack (Wes Bentley) and his fiancee Ethne (Kate Hudson), sadly conclude that Feversham is a coward and send him a ritual gift of four white feathers.
The regiment is shipped off to North Africa, where they're eventually trapped in a horrific battle with the rebels. But they don't know that Feversham — now a civilian — has followed. Drawn by loyalty to old friends, he tries to help them.
And he, in turn, is aided by the remarkable African, Fatma, who believes Feversham has been put in his path by fate and must be helped.
Although Kapur brings British imperialism into question, he never lets politics or modern concerns waylay this colorful, robust tale.
On a human level "The Four Feathers" is about courage, loyalty and friendship, and those qualities continue to thrive in this update of an old-fashioned adventure.
Kapur also provides plenty of spectacle, from the elegant homes and grand balls of British society to a spectacular battle sequence in North Africa and the most awe-inspiring desert footage since "Lawrence of Arabia," 40 years earlier.
Like "Lawrence," the desert scenes of "The Four Feathers" were shot in Morocco — and Robert Richardson's camerawork is first-rate (including stunning overhead images of the battle unlike anything I've ever seen.)
While Ledger served as an apprentice in heroics in "The Patriot" and "A Knight's Tale," he's the real thing in "The Four Feathers." He brings the role plenty of energy, charisma and attitude, as well as a touching vulnerability that surfaces when his character questions his own values and courage.
Hudson impresses in her brief scenes as Feversham's conflicted love, while Bentley positively lights up the screen as Jack, a soldier of unquestioning valor whose biggest battle comes on the home front, after the war.
Does the world need another "Four Feathers?" Well, I wouldn't say it's essential, but when it's this artful and entertaining, I'm glad we have it.
Rated PG-13 for battle violence, some sensuality.
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