The Four Feathers

1939

1h 55m

Adventure

List

91%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

85%

Audience Score

2,500+ Ratings

When English soldier Harry Faversham (John Clements) attempts to leave military service just before an expedition to the Sudan, he is presented with feathers, symbolic of his cowardice, by other officers, including his friend Captain John Durrance (Ralph Richardson). In an attempt to restore his honor, Faversham goes undercover as a mute native, and has a chance at redemption when he rescues the blinded Durrance from the heat of battle. Will his act of courage result in forgiveness?

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Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

All being done in color, this was more difficult than is usually the case; and more the pity that anything so handsome should be thrown away on such naive hokum.

May 7, 2024

Full Review

Cinelandia Staff

Cinelandia

Four Feathers is a success, difficult to overcome. [Full review in Spanish]

Sep 1, 2022

Full Review

MFB Critics

Monthly Film Bulletin

It is all magnificently staged and produced, and the Egyptian scenes are beautifully photographed, but the film is much too long and is in need of some ruthless cutting to tighten up patches that definitely drag.

Jan 22, 2018

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The rousing yarn is a classic British imperialist adventure story.

Rated: B

Nov 3, 2011

Full Review

Rob Vaux

Flipside Movie Emporium

Exceptionally well-made swashbuckling, though its ethos is appalingly outdated.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 9, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 4/5

Jun 19, 2005

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Michele A

This movie is a gem, a rousing story, gorgeously filmed. The fact that it was filmed on location in Egypt in 1939 is of special note. The performances are first rate, but that of Ralph Richardson is just a step above. His intense longing for Ethne provides a heart to what might otherwise be just another exciting adventure. Instead, this version of the story is the all in, meticulous-in-detail account that can never again be achieved. It's impossible to believe in the world that this film represents, to portray it without any sense of shame, so modern versions are only pale imitations. It is best not to try. Instead, enjoy the film for what it shows of a time and mindset that no longer exists. New stories need to be told now, from new perspectives. That will bring another adventure.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/25/23

Full Review

Christopher B

"The Four Feathers" has been brought to the silver screen several times during both the silent and talkie era. Zoltan Korda captures the desert strikingly similar to "Lawrence of Arabia" and that in and of itself says a lot! The technicolor is gorgeous and the colors, especially the British uniforms, really pop and create a striking contrast to the scenery. While the film clocks in at 115 minutes, this is truly an epic worthy of its commercial and critical success! John Clements gives a realistic and solid performance as Harry Faversham the coward turned hero at the heart of the film. There are so many talented cast and crew and it really shows and qualifies as a beautiful and poetic Classic!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/19/22

Full Review

Audience Member

I love this film of heroism and redemption of one man; an exciting adventure film of sacrifice and the love of honor.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

david f

This is billed as a classic anglophilic epic, and while it mostly is, as a movie it is not quite up to the high standards set by Hollywood the same year - 1939.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The film has a wildly implausible plot and a painfully dated pro-imperialist mindset. If you can get past those two major obstacles it's pretty well-made, with good location footage and action scenes, and Richardson's performance is impressive. Celebrating the British Empire's conquests doesn't really do it for me as entertainment, though.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Definitely the best version of this epic story. A visually impressive, sweeping epic that is impressive for the time period. The acting and pacing are not the best but when given consideration for the times this is a very impressive film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

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Zoltan Korda

Director

John Clements

Harry Faversham

Ralph Richardson

Captain John Durrance

C. Aubrey Smith

General Burroughs

June Duprez

Ethne Burroughs

Allan Jeayes

General Faversham

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Synopsis

When English soldier Harry Faversham (John Clements) attempts to leave military service just before an expedition to the Sudan, he is presented with feathers, symbolic of his cowardice, by other officers, including his friend Captain John Durrance (Ralph Richardson). In an attempt to restore his honor, Faversham goes undercover as a mute native, and has a chance at redemption when he rescues the blinded Durrance from the heat of battle. Will his act of courage result in forgiveness?

Director: Zoltan Korda
Screenwriter: R.C. Sherriff
Production Co: London Film Production
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2017
Runtime: 1h 55m

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