The Four Feathers (DVD)

Shekar Kapur's 'The Four Feathers' is the sixth film adaptation of AEW Mason's novel about a man given four white feathers of cowardice by his friends and fiancée. Unfortunately Kapur's film, which is full of enormous plot holes and a distracting love triangle, could have achieved much more by departing further from Mason's dated material. It is obvious that Kapur, as an Indian, was hoping to make a commentary on the attitude and actions of the British colonial power. The problem is that the one hundred year old book is fervently pro-Empire and Kapur never quite manages to subvert this despite his creation of an additional character. ...  Read the complete review

*Film only review* Can you imagine the most boring thing ever? As a child the most boring thing for me was a Sunday afternoon. This was known as ‘family time’ and meant that my sisters, brother and I were not allowed out to see our friends. The results were two fold – we were forced to watch the soul destroying Sunday TV schedule that included mind numbing treats as Ski Sunday, the Antiques Roadshow and Bulleye (I never liked it). The second thing that came out of these Sunday afternoons was my love for reading and films as I could find a place to escape to too keep me occupied. Imagine my horror then, when I watched a film that seemed to capture the ...  Read the complete review

The Four Feathers should be a well known story to many people as this version is, I think, the sixth reincarnation of the classic tale. Its an old style boys own adventure romp all about doing the right thing for Queen and country, winning the day and getting the girl. There are many films that fall into the same genre, and this film can be seen as a mix of three equal ingredients. The Bengal Lancers and all of those films of dashing military heroics of Queen Victoria's redcoats constitute the raw ingredient. Add to this one third Lawrence of Arabia for the honour, duty and friendship element. Top this of with a light dressing of Doctor Zivago for the lost love and you ...  Read the complete review

---Overview--- I had wanted to watch this movie in the cinema but I just didn't get around to viewing it so when I saw it in my local rental store I took upon the opportunity to rent it. Originally a book by AEW Mason written back in 1902, there has been over the years seven movie remakes of this popular novel dating to 1977 and 1939. There hasn't been many films released recently concerning Britain and its Empire so being a history enthusiast I was more than keen to see this latest adaptation. In short the latest version appears to hold its own (just) when pitted against the other adaptations, other movies in its genre and to films all round. Released in 2002 ...  Read the complete review