Overview
A British officer's quest for redemption leads him into the heart of conflict.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- rousing
- gritty
- romantic
- classic adventure night
- historical film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a superb and emotionally stirring adaptation distinguished by poetic action, strong performances, and striking Technicolor desert photography.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Harry Faversham secretly aids the comrades who branded him a coward and seeks to return their symbolic feathers.
The Sudan campaign is presented through expansive Technicolor desert imagery and major battle sequences.
Harry adopts an Arab disguise to move through Sudan and assist his captured former comrades.
The four white feathers function as concrete tokens of cowardice and remain central to Harry’s redemption quest.
Films like The Four Feathers, and why
Lawrence of Arabia
Shared British imperial adventure, military redemption narrative, desert spectacle, and period drama.
Beau Geste
Shared colonial-era military adventure, themes of honor and cowardice, and visually expansive action.
The Lives of a Bengal Lancer
Shared British military camaraderie, desert warfare, and morally tested officers in a historical adventure.
Movie Details
- Director
- Zoltan Korda
- Release Date
- 1939-04-20
- Runtime
- 129 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (107)
Cast
- John Clements
- Ralph Richardson
- C. Aubrey Smith
- June Duprez
- Allan Jeayes
- Jack Allen
- Donald Gray
- Frederick Culley
- Clive Baxter
- Robert Rendel
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max, Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Four Feathers about?
- A disgraced British officer risks his life in disguise across colonial Sudan to reclaim the honor symbolized by four white feathers.
- What is The Four Feathers like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Four Feathers as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Four Feathers violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Four Feathers as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Four Feathers?
- Critics broadly regard it as a superb and emotionally stirring adaptation distinguished by poetic action, strong performances, and striking Technicolor desert photography.
- Which films are like The Four Feathers?
- Films with a similar feel include Lawrence of Arabia, Beau Geste, and The Lives of a Bengal Lancer.
- How long is The Four Feathers?
- The Four Feathers runs 129 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Four Feathers?
- In United States, The Four Feathers streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max, Artiflix.
