Sooo, before I start this post, can we just take a moment to appreciate the swoon-worthiness of this picture? I mean, just look at the way they’re looking at each other. Ballroom scenes make me want to smile and cry and yes swoon. Anyone else feel this way? Like why don’t we have balls anymore? (I have been to one Victorian ball, but that’s another post.)

Annnnywayyy, after that little bunny trail, I’ll refocus my attention.

I heard about The Four Feathers about a week or so ago and my curiosity was immediately sparked after reading the summary and listening to the epic soundtrack by James Horner (Titanic, Braveheart, etc).

The Four Feathers, based on the book by A. E. W. Mason of the same title, is about Harry Faversham a British soldier who leaves the army after hearing his regiment is to be shipped to Sudan.

Simply put, he leaves because he questions Britain’s role in a country so far from them.  However, his friends and fiance do not understand this and label him a coward. They send him white feathers, which, in that era, symbolized cowardice. Conflicted and hurt, Harry sets out to redeem his honor and discover who he is.

He follows his friends to Sudan and there he dresses as an Arab. In this disguise, he makes an unlikely and extremely wise friend who aids him in his quest to protect those who branded him a coward.

This movie exceeded my own expectations in almost every regard. It was deep, profound, and overall a wonderful piece of cinema.

While the landscape of the desert the soldiers were in was rather barren, the cinematography captured it stunningly. The soundtrack as well added to the feel of the setting and the emotions of the story.

My favorite part about The Four Feathers would have to be the character development. We see Harry go from confused and, yes, afraid, to sure, wise, and courageous. By traveling to Sudan, he better understands his own reasons for resigning and the people his country wrongly labeled savages. (This movie practically spoon feeds the question – What truly makes someone a savage? Race or character?)

His fiance, Ethne, also grows as a person. In the beginning, she, while still sweet and loving, is unsure of herself. This causes her to falter in decision making. By the end, I thought her a much stronger young woman.

Her and Harry’s relationship was definitely one that, while remaining romantic, was also full of friendship and laughter. I quite enjoyed the scenes of the two of them.

(Even though she was somewhat annoying. She was too sweet to be in love triangle. Just arrrgggh, love triangles tear my heart to pieces. But don’t let that deter you from watching The Four Feathers.)

This was just a general summary of my thoughts on The Four Feathers. There was so much depth to this great movie that I don’t feel I adequately covered it in this post. If you want the whole shebang, I recommend you go watch this cinematic masterpiece for yourself.

(All pictures from Google.)