The
main plot of the movie of which Shekhar Kapur directed, is based on Henry, his fears and cowardness and latter transforms him into a heroic man. The story begins as the British army is signed a mission to protect the queens land in Sudan. Henry, being scared and doubted about his role resigns from his unit, leaving his friends behind. As his friends realise that
they where betrayed, four white feathers are sent to the protagonist representing
his betray to them. This act costs the protagonist to loos not only his closest
friends but also the woman he loves causing him fears and regrets. He later on
decides to face his fear by going to Sudan and
help his friends out in the best possible way. Henry ends up in the hand of the
Arabs, acting in disguise. Although the mission fails he
makes sure to return every single feather that was given to him, going to sever
extents to rescue his beloved friends.
The
movie commences with conflict as Shekhar Kapur the director captures the
British army playing a violent rugby game. One immediately realizes the colours,
the sound and the shot sizes which are contrasting with the team of the movie.
This is so, as the colours in the pictures are blurry at the beginning, making
use of hints of bright reds. Also the Arabic music in the background indicates
what’s about to happen in the near future though it is also creating conflict with the
image being captured in England. It is also acting as an indication on what is about to occur in the near future, regards of transformation.
The British army playing rugby in a white and red gear, contrasting with the whole scenery.
Conflict
continues to develop within the movie as the main actor disagrees to be deployed to Sudan, abandoning them as his fears
take over him causing him to loos his friends and his love. After
receiving four white feathers and loosing the woman he loves he commences to
regrets his decision and decides to face his fears, transforming himself in a courage’s
man, wanting to help his friends in Sudan.
The main actor goes though extents to save most of his friends, ending
up in the hands of the enemy acting in disguise to return the feathers, proving
to his fellows the man he has transformed and become.
Henry is transformed into an Arabic man.
Throughout the movie multiple bright colours where used such as; when the soldiers were playing rugby and soldiers uniform, being red which possibly represents, blood and death. Such colour might also indicates that transformation is going to occur, that is violence within the movie.
Henry dancing with Ethne wearing the bright red uniform
A particular conflict which was continuously going on during
the movie was also Jack’s and Henry’s relationship together. Both of which
wanted to same girl. Henry and Ethne where both in love, Jack although acting
as being Henry’s friend always despised Henry, showing continues jealousy,
wanting Ethne to be his love.
Henry and Jack
After
the huge conflict which had occurred in Sudan between the British soldiers and
the Arabs, saving his fellow mate from the deathly prison, Henry returns back
home, facing the woman he loves in a heroic way managing to lure her back from
Jake’s hands.
A harmonic scenery of
Ethne and Jake in London
In
the harmonic last scenery of the movie Henry and Ethne were captured both still
in love with one another with calming and organic scenery, Arabic music in the
background with some footage of the
desert, taking us back to the whole journey and the sacrifices and heroic
actions he had undertaken.
Bibliography
Anon., n.d. The Four Feather - Heath Ledger, Wes
Bently,Ket Hudsin, Shekhar Kapur. [Online]
Available at: http://thecia.com.au/reviews/f/four-feathers/
[Accessed 17 November 2012].
Lesya, 2011. Eternity of Dream aka Eternity of
film. [Online]
Available at: http://eternityofdream.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-four-feathers-2002.html
[Accessed 17 November 2012].
