The Four Feathers

While it wasn't the first adaptation of A.E.W. Mason's titular classic novel of British imperial heroism and stiff-upper-lip loyalty, this 1939 Technicolor adventure from the Korda siblings—producer Alexander and director Zoltán—is the most famous and is still considered the definitive version (a 2002 production starring Heath Ledger tried to add a modern sensibility that felt shoehorned into the 19th-century attitudes of the characters). Set mostly in the years 1895-98 during the Sudan uprising, The Four Feathers celebrates the heroism of young poet Harry Faversham (John Clements), who's accused of cowardice (symbolized by white feathers) by his closest comrades after he resigns his army commission on the eve of a mission. Later, Faversham redeems himself by risking his life to sneak into Sudan disguised as an Arab and rescue the three friends who shunned him. Ralph Richardson is especially good as Capt. John Durrance, a quietly suffering colleague, and C. Aubrey Smith represents the old empire with blustery dignity as Gen. Burroughs, whose daughter, Ethne (June Duprez), is Harry's fiancée. Grandly mounted (much of it was shot on location in Sudan), gorgeously photographed, and backed by a dramatic score by Miklós Rósza, this is a rousing if also decidedly colonialist-minded adventure, celebrating the ideals of the British Empire and the superiority of “civilized” Europeans as they battle the “bloodthirsty” African enemy. Re-released on DVD and bowing on Blu-ray, extras include audio commentary by film historian Charles Drazin, an interview with David Korda (Zoltán's son), and archival behind-the-scenes footage. A thrilling, old-fashioned epic, this is recommended. (S. Axmaker)