Synopsis
Harry Feversham (Heath Ledger) appears quite comfortable with his life as a soldier, andhe is about to be engaged to Kate Hudson, so life is good. But then his garrison is assigned toquell an uprising in the Sudan, and Harry is frightened. He resigns his commission. His friends,feeling betrayed, send him the white feathers of cowardice. Shamed, Harry follows themincognito to the Sudan, and his presence turns out to be crucial to their fates. In many ways athrowback to such …pic colonial adventures as Zulu, The Four Feathers is also very consciousof the racism and other dubious aspects of the colonial enterprise. Critics were divided overwhether the film succeeded in having its cake and eating it too. I think it works.
Audio
Wonderful sound, just perfect for grand adventure. The music and sound effects are big andexpansive, with an almost constant sense of environment. The wind, in particular, has spectacularpresence.
Video
An excellent transfer, preserving the terrific 2.35:1 compositions. A spectacular aerial shot ofa battle would have been utterly destroyed in fullscreen, so the anamorphic presentation is verywelcome. The colours are deep and rich, the blacks and flesh tones strong, and there is no grainor edge enhancement. A fabulous film to look at.
Special Features
Director Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth) provides a very interesting commentary, which paysspecial attention to the film’s themes. His talk is very scene specific, pointing out the whys andwherefores of virtually every detail. The other extras are essentially promotional: a 16-minutedocumentary and 7 featurettes. Each featurette has a specific topic (music, battle scenes, etc.),but they’re still glorified commercials. Finally, there are trailers for The Four Feathers and TheCore. The menu’s main page is animated and scored.
Closing Thoughts
The extras, other than the commentary, aren’t stellar, but the film is just the ticket for an old-fashioned, rip-snorting adventure.
Special Features List
- Director
- 7 Featurettes
- Making-of Documentary
- Trailers
