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Edmund McKinnon
Colonial Settler
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 23 2002
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 Posted - September 11 2002 : 02:29:17 AM
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Based on a novel by A.E.W.Mason,it has been adapted to film five times from 1939 to 1977.Starring Heath Ledger(The Patriot,A Knight's Tale)is about four friends who are officers in the British Army in the Sudan.When Ledger resigns before The Battle of Omdurman,his friends believe him to be a coward,but he has ulterior motives.This should leave a mark with reenactors,much as Zulu & Zulu Dawn did. Check out the website at:www.fourfeathersmovie.com.com Release date is 09/20/02 EM<):)
Edmond N.Highlander Jr.
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Many Flags
Colonial Settler
USA
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August 13 2002
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Posted - September 11 2002 : 06:37:10 AM
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Aye, 'tis a remake of a 1940s (maybe late 30s??) film, but I can't remember who was in it. I have seen it several times on late night TV. I expect the new version will be acceptable!! Pax Aye! Many Flags of the Allemaengel
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Two Kettles
Colonial Settler
USA
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August 01 2002
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Posted - September 11 2002 : 4:28:53 PM
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I love both the '39 and '77 versions of this story, but I have real bad feelings about this one. There's a very critical review of it by "Lostinplace" at Dark Horizons: www.darkhorizons.com/2002/TheFourFeathers
And with his references to KHARTOUM and the other versions of THE FOUR FEATHERS, I think he knows whereof he speaks. I began to worry when I saw the stills showing the British in red uniforms, rather than the khaki that was used in the Sudan campaigns. The director said he did that so that the audience would realize the British didn't belong there. It sounds only one step away from THE PATRIOT and "we have to put the British in red coats or the audience won't know they're British."
Then, according to the review, the movie is set, not during Kitchener's Omdurman campaign, not during Wolsey's attempt to relieve Khartoum, but rather immediately following Gordon's death - in other words, at a time when the British were leaving the Sudan, not campaigning in it.
So we have the British army misportrayed (again) doing something they never did (again) so that they can be made to look bad (again). For the record, I'm an Irish Catholic, and I definitely have mixed feelings about the British and the Empire, but if you're gonna knock them, do it for the real historical record, not for trumped-up, straw man reasons.
I'll still be there opening night, and I hope I'm wrong, but my expectations are not too high for this one.
Two Kettles
p.s. You know why the sun never sets on the British Empire? Because God doesn't trust them in the dark. (See, I'm not a total Anglophile)
p.p.s. For what it's worth, Many Flags, in the '39 version John Clements played Harry Faversham (Heath Ledger's character), Ralph Richardson was John Durrance (Wes Bentley), June Duprez was Ethne (Kate Hudson) and C. Aubrey Smith stole every scene he was in as General Burroughs.
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Christie
Pioneer
USA
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July 02 2002
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Posted - September 11 2002 : 11:33:19 PM
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The movie preview has a voiceover of Heath claiming "I will find him!" Next time anyone sees the preview, listen for it. Even ten years later filmakers are "borrowing" from LOTM
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richfed
Sachem
USA
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May 13 2002
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Posted - September 12 2002 : 06:04:44 AM
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| I heard that, Christie ... sounded like it was lifted directly out of LOTM! I don't think it was coincidence ... |
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Gadget Girl
Gatherer of Gathering Gadgets
USA
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May 17 2002
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Posted - September 12 2002 : 07:58:14 AM
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Same EXACT thoughts here, Rich and Christie!
Di
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Karen W
Colonial Settler
USA
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June 04 2002
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Posted - September 12 2002 : 2:50:19 PM
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Glad to know I wasn't the only one who caught this. I commented about it to Jim and he looked at me like I was nuts. Oh well, he
just doesn't understand!!
Karen
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Edmund McKinnon
Colonial Settler
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 23 2002
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Posted - September 12 2002 : 4:02:47 PM
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I agree with Two Kettles.In recent days,my research has confrmed that the British Army did not wear red outside of Europe during this time period.Apparently,the director did nobody a favor by ignoring this glaring detail.Compare this with Breaker Morant,where everybody wore khaki,and you will see the difference.Hopefully the movie will still be o.k.EM
Edmond N.Highlander Jr. |
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Theresa
Bumppo's Tavern Proprietress
USA
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May 17 2002
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Posted - September 12 2002 : 5:01:46 PM
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quote:
The movie preview has a voiceover of Heath claiming "I will find him!" Next time anyone sees the preview, listen for it. Even ten years later filmakers are "borrowing" from LOTM
Omigod!!  I just heard this and I kept waiting for him to finish..."No matter how long it takes, no matter how far!" Sounded exactly like Hawkeye in LOTM.
Theresa |
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Edmund McKinnon
Colonial Settler
USA
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May 23 2002
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Posted - September 25 2002 : 03:13:35 AM
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just saw this movie tonite.Not bad,but it's definitely no LOTM  EM
Edmond N.Highlander Jr. |
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caitlin
Bumppos Tavern Patron
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002
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 Posted - September 25 2002 : 11:32:55 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Theresa:
quote:
The movie preview has a voiceover of Heath claiming "I will find him!" Next time anyone sees the preview, listen for it. Even ten years later filmakers are "borrowing" from LOTM
Omigod!! I just heard this and I kept waiting for him to finish..."No matter how long it takes, no matter how far!" Sounded exactly like Hawkeye in LOTM.
Theresa
HA! I knew I wasn't going crazy. I thought I heard it and had to watch again for the same preview to be sure. What a compliment, but definitly no comparison. I look forward to seeing the movie anyway - if just for the clothing!
caitlin
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Two Kettles
Colonial Settler
USA
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August 01 2002
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Posted - September 27 2002 : 7:30:48 PM
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For what it's worth, if anyone has seen the movie and liked it, or is interested at all in the story, I would highly recommend picking up the recent paperback reprint of A.E.W. Mason's original 1902 novel. It is very different from any of the movie versions I've seen, and a good read. What strkes me most about it (I'm still reading it) is how well developed the characters are, especially Harry, Ethne, and Jack. It's NOT a rah-rah Queen and Country, "ripping yarn". It's more psychological, and character driven.
I'm also surprised that some of my favorite moments from the movie versions aren't in it. On the other hand, there are some wonderful things in the book that haven't made it into any of the movie versions I've seen. And Mason comes up with a much more convincing explanation of how Harry is able to "blend in" when he gets to the Sudan.
Two Kettles
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Scott Bubar
Colonial Militia
USA
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May 17 2002
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Posted - September 27 2002 : 8:39:59 PM
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Isn't the "I'll find you" thing from a fifties song?
It's trying to percolate up through long dormant grey matter, but...
Oceans wide, mountains high...?
~~Aim small, miss small. |
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SgtMunro
Soldier of the King
USA
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September 23 2002
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Posted - October 08 2002 : 11:59:09 PM
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I agree with Lt. McKinnon and Two Kettles on the khaki uniform issue. Being a student of British Military history, I would also like to note that the last time a British Regiment carried the Queen's Colors (the Grand Union with the wreath and regimental number within) into battle was at Majuba Hill in 1881 (an embarassing engagement during the First Boer War).
Your Humble Author,
Sgt. Duncan Munro
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SgtMunro
Soldier of the King
USA
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September 23 2002
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Posted - November 05 2002 : 12:52:44 AM
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Overall, its an interesting movie, I could do without the whole 'honorable coward' thing. When you leave your buddies, at a time like that, and turn your back on your duty, you're a coward. The battle scene, where the square collapses, might make it worth buying the VHS/DVD when it comes out.
Sgt. Duncan Munro
Capt. Graham's Coy
1/42nd Royal Highlanders
"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" |
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richfed
Sachem
USA
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May 13 2002
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Posted - March 10 2003 : 04:59:28 AM
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Finally saw this flick last night on DVD ...
Cannot comment on the historical accuracy, if any, because I'm none too familiar with this time & place, however, as a film:
Heath Ledger - Excellent performance, I thought. [Sports 3 or 4 distinctly different looks in this movie - from the handsome cavalier to something bordering on the grotesque!]
The Story - Acceptable to me as an enjoyable film. Not very powerful or moving, though I think it tries to be, but good. I liked it. It's really more a love story than an action flick, though there's plenty of action!
Best Scene - The British square on the open desert & the battle that follows. Holy cow! Gotta agree with the departed Sarge on this one. Battle sequence fans will want this DVD just for this sequence.
Best Line - "I will find you!" Hmmm ... where did I hear that before?
Nicely done, but no classic! 3 and a half thumbs up. |
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The Four Feathers
