Based on the novel by A.E.W. Mason, this movie adaptation is the third of its kind, following 1939 and 1977 versions. It is the story of a British commander, Harry (Heath Ledger), who follows in his father's footsteps by joining the army. He is engaged to marry the woman of his dreams, Ethne (Kate Hudson), whose father was also .. Read more
| Starring | Heath Ledger, Kate Hudson, Mohamed Bouich, Wes Bentley |
|---|---|
| Director | Shekhar Kapur |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Thriller |
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Based on the novel by A.E.W. Mason, this movie adaptation is the third of its kind, following 1939 and 1977 versions. It is the story of a British commander, Harry (Heath Ledger), who follows in his father's footsteps by joining the army. He is engaged to marry the woman of his dreams, Ethne (Kate Hudson), whose father was also a soldier. But when his regiment is to be sent to war in the Sudan, Harry gets nervous. On a whim, he resigns his post, and is instantly rebuffed by three of his closest friends. They each give him a feather symbolic of his fear. When he tells Ethne what he has done, she gives him the fourth, explaining that she cannot love a coward. Lost and alone, Harry cannot come to grips with what has happened. So he travels alone to the Sudan, hoping to in some way help his fellow countrymen and redeem his honour. What he finds instead is a land rife with slavery, brutal violence, and a deadly desert climate. He is befriended by Abou (Djimon Hounsou), a Sudanese wanderer, who saves Harry's life time after time. Director Shekhar Kapur (ELIZABETH) makes this moving adventure story utterly believable with striking photography by Robert Richardson and unmatchable performances from Ledger and Hounsou.
| Starring | Heath Ledger, Kate Hudson, Mohamed Bouich, Wes Bentley, Campbell Brown |
|---|---|
| Director | Shekhar Kapur |
| Studio | WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 5 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Thriller |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 16 Jan 2004 Production year: 2002 |
| Format | DVD |
A movie that wants to celebrate heroism at the same time as it criticises imperialism; the result is a mess, and the performances lack the necessary charisma.
Yet another version of the old yarn (see above) about a chap redeeming himself after his former comrades brand him a... read more on Time Out
This is a very wonderful film. It desplay's how each person can live with different fears, and how those fears can propel us to become even more than we ever thought we could be.
It shows us how the bound of friendship, is indeed something worth dying for. And helps us believe that we can all believe in each other.
I had to watch it twice, just to give the film the respect it deserved.
gung ho adventure mascarading as something meaningful. looks like a made for tv drama!