The Four Feathers (Widescreen Collector's Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Great Battles sequences, not enough backstory
Review: In this new version of "The Four Feathers", Heath Ledger plays the part of William Favishion, a man who is trying to find his place.
Heath Ledger does a marvelous job, giving a very moving and emotional performance.
Wes Bentley, and Kate Blanchett, also star in this movie; both give good performances but it is clear that Wes Bentley outshines Kate Blanchett by far.
My quibble (and it is minor) is that there isn't the backstory with the father that you got in the Beau Bridges version.
However, the battle sequences are things of beauty, hundreds and hundreds of Arabs charge British soldiers and practically whip them out.
There is some language but not to the point of unecessary, unlike some other movies.
The thing that really moves me most about the movie, is how the characters truly care about each other, and have a love and respect for each other and for God.
I've heard that there is a lot more spirituality in this version of the tale, than in the oldest.
I don't know personally, because I haven't watched the oldest version.
Anyway, there is a sexual scene, but it is brief and there is no nudity. (It is still disappointing though).
I won't go into the movies storyline, simply because all of the other reviews already tell you about it.
I just want to give you a little bit more discription on the film's content.
Hope it was helpful

Rating:
Summary: movie is not long enough
Review: First let me say that anyone who thinks the Four Feathers (2002) is too long or too boring should just stick to MTV or Michael Bay films. If anything the film is too short. It doesn't take a genius to see the huge continuity problems in the editing (SEVERAL major plot points are wrapped up in seconds each time, and several others are obviously missing). I've read elsewhere that Kapur was forced to edit the film down from three hours plus. No doubt this was that idiot Harvey Weinstein's doing. I can't understand why he can't see how many films he's ruined by hacking them to bits (including every martial arts import he's ever released). NONETHELESS, I did marginally like the film. Still, I couldn't appreciate it as an epic at this length. This film desparately needs that extra hour of footage restored to it. SOOOO Harvey, when is it gonna happen...........

Rating:
Summary: Heavier Than A Feather!
Review: Once again a really good, almost epic, film is overlooked by a great majority. This movie is well worth its weight!

The story begins in 1880 England with a handful of British soldiers preparing for war in Sudan. One soldier falls in love and makes the unheard of decision to leave the army rather than face death. But the very reason the soldier quits blames him for being a coward and the relationship ends. The soldier, played respectfully well by Heath Ledger, becomes an outcast but finds his way to the Sudan in order to help his friends. Watch the movie for the complete story because it is complicated, deep and troubling. The question that comes to mind is what would you do for your friends? Just how much should a brave man sacrifice in order to be courageous and accepted in society? This movie will bring about all sorts of deep rooted questions about the rights and wrongs of war and friendships.

In my opinion the best actor in this film is Djimon Hounsou who plays a desert wanderer who rescues Heath Ledger in the Sudanese desert. Hounsou believes that God has placed Ledger in his path and that he is responsible for protecting him during the rest of the film. Again the question of what qualifies as a friendship enters the mind. Is a true lasting friendship worthy of death? I believe we would all be so lucky to fall into the path of such a man as Hounsou portrays....they are few and far between.

The main focus of this film is the war between the British and the Sudanese. The scenes are well directed and powerful. The fancy professional soldiers don't stay pretty for long in the brutality of the desert. It becomes apparent that as usual a big powerfully choreographed army does not have all that it takes to fight native warriors protecting their land from invasion. The British expect the nomads to fight a war exactly as they do without taking into consideration the history and behaviors ingrained within such people who fight with swords and brutality rather than pumped up ammunition. It all sounds somehow familiar! Needless to say you may begin to look at the rights and wrongs of war after watching this movie. Is it really right to take over another country without permission from the occupants?

As I said many questions will arise during the viewing of this film, it is deep and moving with reflection. Interestingly enough the message contained in this film appears to be timeless as it appears humanity still insists on creating war instead of peaceful negotiations. White feathers are distributed to cowards, at least in 1880 England, but this movie might convince you who really should receive the feather, for bravery comes in many forms.


Rating:
Summary: Bad, bad Kate
Review: Although this movie felt too long, I enjoyed Heath Ledger and Wes Bentley's performances. Kate Hudson, however, was terrible. Her character was so uninspiring that it was impossible to believe that either of these men would have the strong feelings for her that the story hinged on.
Kate Hudson is the next Ashley Judd, and I don't mean that as a compliment.