"THE FOUR FEATHERS" movie?

Question

What is the author's (director's, producer's) agenda, purpose, or point of view? Is the film political, social commentary, or educational? Is the author telling of myth or legend? WHy this story told this way?Would this movie be different if a different director made this film??

Answer 1

A different director will make a world of difference.

I vote for it's social commentary. The story brands one character as cowardly, for refusing to serve once his cavalry unit is about to be sent to war.

Certainly this points out that man's hypocracy at joining a military outfit, but turning his back when the unit is called to do what it was trained for. However, during the Victorian times, a military career was seen a a point of departure for social standing and later career paths. Not every unit, not every officer, not every soldier served in combat. This was clearly not the path the lead character sought.

His resignation was seen as a cowardly act, and some trepidation of his possible fate may have played a part in the decision.

His later actions, when he learned of his comrade's capture showed that, whatever his reasons for not wishing to serve in combat, it was nothing as simple as cowardice.

There is a scene in the recent mini series, "Band of Brothers." It showed a soldier, in his first engagement under fire, hiding in a foxhole, screaming in panic as bullets whized past. In a while, an officer or noncom came by and calmed the soldier down. The officer used the techniques used in training to have the soldier simply do what he was trained to do. Point his weapon at the enemy and pull the trigger. When the gun emptied, reload and pull the trigger again.

That scene illustrated the well known fact that killing another human being is not a natural act. Many, if not most men, facing their first combat do not manage to pull the trigger. It is in subsequent engagements that the soldiers manage to emulate his comrads and engage the enemy.

The human psychology of Victorian times was no different than it was in WWII or now. The difference is in the motivation and the training techniques. In Victorian times, a soldier was expected to fight for God and country. Today, a soldier is expected to fight to defend the guy next to him and the rest of his buddies in the unit.

Answer 2

I assume you're talking about the Heath Ledger version? There have been several remakes of THE FOUR FEATHERS, my personal favorite being the 1929 remake with William Powell and Fay Wray.

In my opinion, the essence of the story is about what it means to be brave and courageous, even when those around you may perceive you to be cowardly. No two movies would be the same, even if they are scripted by the same person, if they are done by different directors. Each director has his/her own style and point of view.

Are you referring to the depiction of the British Army as superior to the Sudanese with whom they are fighting? If so then yes, I do think there is a degree of bias in the story.

My suggestion would be to watch the different versions of THE FOUR FEATHERS, each from a different director (i.e. Zoltan Korda, Shekhar Kapur, Merian C. Cooper, etc.) and see for yourself if the point of view changes from film to film.

Answer 3

i would not say that's undesirable. my son have been given it for christmas from "santa claus" and he's 4 years previous. if there replaced into something undesirable in it then i did not observe once I watched. its an ok action picture. there is a few violence in it, and in one component of the action picture. the only guy is in simple terms wearing a coat wrapped around him, yet all the considerable aspects are coated. while you're stressful approximately your little ones observing it...then watch it first without them. its in basic terms like $3.00 to lease a action picture. and it probable in basic terms fee approximately $20.00 to purchase it.

Answer 4

I guess it is a story of redemption. I really had a hard time getting past the horrible acting. Has Hudson done anything good except for almost famous.