"Harry," portrayed by Heath Ledger, makes an unexpected decision and gives up his military position right before his unit is scheduled to deploy to North Africa. He believes his reasons are completely justifiable—wanting to remain with his recently engaged "Ethne" (Kate Hudson). However, nearly everyone else seems to view his actions as a sign of weakness, presenting him with the ultimate mark of disgrace: a white fe…

This is a visually appealing movie, crafted with historical detail and elegance, but it shies away from confronting some of the more difficult issues surrounding its setting. “The Four Feathers” has been brought to the screen multiple times throughout film history, going all the way back to silent pictures. Before seeing this version, I’d already watched the 1939 adaptation, and the similarities and differences be…

A British military unit, new to combat, receives orders in 1884 to travel to Sudan, then under Egyptian rule, to confront Mahdi rebels. Following his unexpected resignation from the regiment, a young officer named Harry (played by Heath Ledger) finds himself publicly labeled as a coward by his closest friends and fiancée (including Wes Bentley and Kate Hudson). Seeking to restore his reputation, he ventures into Suda…