Les quatre plumes blanches

Although it pales next to the 1939 classic version, as a made-for-television feature this film is well worth watching. It tells the story of a young Englishman driven to extreme lengths to prove to himself & his friends that he is not a coward.

Surrounded by a fine British cast, Beau Bridges might seem wrongly cast in the main role, but he does a stalwart job throughout. Good action scenes set in Muslim Africa. Co-stars include Jane Seymour, Harry Andrews (great as Bridges' fierce old father), Robert Powell, Richard Johnson, Simon Ward, David Robb & Robin Bailey.

I guess I am just a sucker for the old movies ca. 1939, but I mean...anyone who likes this 1978 version really should see the 1939 movie just to compare it. See what the 1939 Faversham goes through to redeem himself, and compare it to Beau Bridges. The 1978 is completely BORING. I kept fast forwarding it hoping to see something as impressive as the 1939 version, but that never happened. Please try the 1939 version; I Know that you will not be disappointed

If you want to see Feversham subject himself to a REAL disguise, please watch the 1939 version. 1978 guy grows a beard - pffft. Big deal.\

1939 version. YOW - a real sacrifice!

I remembered seeing this TV movie a long time ago when I was a kid. I thought it was a thrilling film! A young Englishman decides not to go off to fight in the war and is branded a coward by all his friends, including his girlfriend! They all gave this man four feathers to shame him for being a coward. But Harry Faversham proves to be no coward because he manages to save all of his friends' lives, win back his girl and tell his father off! I loved the costumes and the scenery and the great action scenes. I thought the acting was pretty wonderful too. One of the best scenes is when Harry stands up to his father and tells him that he won't be a soldier for him, and if Harry had any children, he would never pressure them to be something that they do not want to be. Jane Seymour is lovely as usual in these types of costume dramas. Her Ethne had a lot more fire and spirit than the Ethne played by June Duprez in the 1939 remake. Jane Seymour made me totally believe that Ethne was remorseful for driving Harry away and that she still loves him no matter what. The ending of the movie has the two lovers, Harry and Ethne together again, was very romantic to me.

I don't understand about the politics of the times where "The Four Feathers" are in, so I can't comment on that. All I can say is, this movie is engaging, fast moving and poignant. One of the better remakes of this classic tale, and definitely much better than that terrible recent remake with Heath Ledger (kinda blah in this movie) and Kate Hodson (horrible, horrible, horrible, the wrong role for her!). I give this movie an "A" for entertainment!

It is easy to spot the stock shots from the 1939 epic of Empire. This film having been shot in Technicolor Monaco whereas the original was shot in Frisco and gives a completely different quality.

Everything about this remake is inferior to the original. The worst problem is the casting of Beau Bridges in the lead.

They have truncated and abridged the story taking out the tension and most exciting elements of the original.

The climactic fight looks as if shot on a beach in Spain. You almost expect Terry Jones to stagger on and say"and now for something completely different". At least that would add entertainment to this poor and pointless remake.