The Four Feathers (1939)
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100% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
75% of users liked it
(2,814 ratings)
This was the first sound production of A.E.W. Mason's classic adventure novel, which was brought to the screen three times in the silent era. Harry Faversham (John Clements) is the son of a military man who expects his son to follow in his footsteps on the fields of battle. Gen. Burroughs (C.… More This was the first sound production of A.E.W. Mason's classic adventure novel, which was brought to the screen three times in the silent era. Harry Faversham (John Clements) is the son of a military man who expects his son to follow in his footsteps on the fields of battle. Gen. Burroughs (C. Aubrey Smith), the father of Faversham's sweetheart, Ethne (June Duprez), was also a hero in the Crimean War, and he often regales Harry with tales of his exploits under fire. However, Harry is not so sure he believes in the family's tradition of military service and resigns his commission in 1898, shortly before his company is scheduled to head into the Sudan. Three of Faversham's comrades in arms, Capt. John Durrance (Ralph Richardson), Lt. Peter Burroughs (Donald Gray), and Lt. Arthur Willoughby (Jack Allen), each present Harry with a white feather, symbolizing their belief that he is a coward; Ethne shares their belief, and gives him one as well. Disgusted with himself, Faversham disguises himself as a Sangali tribesman and travels to the Sudan so that he might be able to move behind enemy lines and serve the British forces as a scout and reconnaissance agent. When his former regiment is attacked, Faversham is able to lead Burroughs and Willoughby to safety, with the wounded Durrance not realizing that the Arab who saved his life was in fact the man that he accused of cowardice. The Four Feathers was a great critical and commercial success and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Zoltan Korda
- Written By
- R.C. Sherriff, Lajos Biró, Arthur Wimperis
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Classics
- In Theaters
- Aug 3, 1939 Wide
- On DVD
- Apr 19, 2005
- Studio
- Criterion Collection
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The rousing yarn is a classic British imperialist adventure story.
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Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
Exceptionally well-made swashbuckling, though its ethos is appalingly outdated.
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Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
One of the great adventure films of all times, with Clements doing his best stiff upper lip heroics to redeem himself in the eyes of his friends and the girl he loves. Richardson is wonderful and touching as the officer gone blind whose honor and compassi
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Best version of the classic tale.
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Cast
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John Clements
as Harry Faversham
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Ralph Richardson
as Capt. John Durrance
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C. Aubrey Smith
as Gen. Burroughs
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June Duprez
as Ethne Burroughs
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Allan Jeayes
as Gen. Faversham
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Jack Allen
as Lt. Arthur Willoughby
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Donald Gray
as Lt. Peter Burroughs
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Frederick Culley
as Dr. Sutton
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Clive Baxter
as Harry Faversham (younger)
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Derek Elphinstone
as Lieutenant Parker
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Henry Oscar
as Dr. Harraz
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John Laurie
as Khalifa
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Amid Taftazani
as Karaga Pasha
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Archibald Batty
as Adjutant
- Alexander Knox
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Hay Petrie
as Mahdi Interpreter
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Norman Pierce
as Sgt. Brown
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Robert Rendel
as Colonel
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Hal Walters
as Joe