Disgrace and Redemption

In late 1884, Harry Feversham, a young officer of the British East Surrey Regiment from a family of generals, had just gotten engaged to his sweetheart, Ethne Eustace, and was looking forward to a happy and happy life when his regiment commander announced that the British army was suppressing Islam in Egyptian Sudan. The defeat of the insurgent Mahdi army, their regiment will be dispatched to Sudan to participate in the battle today. Unlike his close friends who were elated that there was a battle to fight, Harry felt fear and nervousness, and he was also confused about the meaning of going to Sudan to fight. The complicated mood prompted him to submit an application to the regimental commander to leave the regiment, which shocked and embarrassed everyone. His regiment commander ordered him to get out of the barracks immediately, and his three close friends Trench, Castleton and Willoughby who were in the army gave him white feathers representing cowards as a sign of contempt, and his fiancée later gave a fourth Feather, his father General Feversham did not recognize him as his son. The only one who didn't publicly express his condemnation and contempt was his sympathizer Captain Jack Durrance. Soon Jack and Trench left England and went with the army to Sudan. Abandoned by his relatives and friends, Harry watched the frontline battle reports every day, and witnessed the British army's continuous defeat and increasing casualty list. The pain and guilt tormented Harry. He felt that he had to make amends for the mistakes he had made, and he wanted to help himself. Friends in foreign countries, wash away the shame they have suffered, and restore their lost reputation. Harry embarked on the road to Sudan alone, and various adventure stories began...

"Four Feathers" was adapted from the 1902 AEWMason novel of the same name. From the 1910s to 2002, there were seven film adaptations of this story, including the first two silent films, the most famous of which was produced by Alexander Korda, 39 Years Edition directed by Zoltan Korda. In all film adaptations, the main line of the story (themes of shame and redemption) remains the same, the setting of the Mahdi army, the enemy force in the story, remains unchanged, and the geographical location (Britain, Egypt and Sudan) where the story takes place remains the same, All the movie versions also show an event in which the British army was broken. The main difference between different versions is the accuracy of the review and restoration of historical events. For example, the 39-year edition begins with the death of General Gordon in January 1885, and most of its episodes take place between 1895 and 1898, culminating in the Battle of Omdurman in September 1898; the 2002 edition begins in December 1884, Most of the episodes took place between 1884 and 1885, culminating in the Battle of Abu Klea in January 1885.

Now let's talk about the 2002 version. At the beginning of this version, General Gordon has been besieged in Khartoum, the important town of Sudan, but has not been killed. Gordon's old friend Sir Garnet Wolseley's expeditionary force has undertaken the task of rescuing Gordon. When the main British army was headed to Khartoum via the Nile under the command of Wolseley, the desert column led by Sir Herbert Stewart had to cut a short cut across the desert directly to Khartoum to save time because the siege of Khartoum was in danger. The desert column of about 1,400 men consisted of four camel-equipped infantry regiments, with a cavalry detachment attached to the 19th Hussars, equipped with four light field guns and a Gardner machine gun. They set off from Korti on December 30, 1884, and when they marched to Abu Klea on January 17, 1885, they were attacked by a Mahdi army of more than 10,000 (about 5,000 actual participants). Sir Herbert Stewart ordered the columns to form a phalanx to meet the enemy. The battle lasted only 15 minutes and ended with the British victory. Nine officers and more than 60 soldiers of the British army were killed and more than 100 people were injured, while 1,100 people of the Mahdi army were killed. In the battle, Colonel FGBurnaby of the Household Guards Cavalry was killed, Frank Rhodes of the 1st Dragoons was awarded the DSO for his outstanding performance, and the machine gunner Alfred Smith was awarded the VC. Another battle (Battle of El Gubat) broke out at Abu Kru two days later and Sir Herbert Stewart was mortally wounded (he died in mid-February on his way back to Korti from Khartoum) and had to hand over command to the column Intelligence Officer Sir Charles Wilson. As a result of the battle of Abu Klea and the serious injury of Sir Stewart, the advance of the column was delayed and it was too late to rescue Khartoum. A few days later, on January 26, the city of Khartoum was destroyed, and General Gordon, who was hailed by Queen Victoria as "hero of heroes", was killed by the spears of the swarming Mahdi army.

The highlight of the 2002 version of "Four Feather" is the entire battle of Abu Klea. In the film, the British army is still wearing their red shirts, but in fact the British army at this time has changed to khaki uniforms. Perhaps for the sake of plot needs and sadistic purposes, the result of this battle in the film was changed to the British army was broken, and the Mahdi army was defeated. The battle of Abu Klea was also featured in Khartoum, the epic film starring Charlton Heston and Laurence Olivier in 1966. I'll revisit it when I get home. In addition, Abou Fatma, a Sudanese Arab who helped Harry Feversham in the original book, also became a black man in this film (the purpose of the adaptation can be figured out by yourself).

In general, the 2002 version is more regular, and the battle scenes are also so-so, and the red uniforms of the British army are really heroic when worn by a few young people. Jack Durrance, played by Wes Bentley, looks more likable than Harry Feversham, played by Heath Ledger. The themes of friendship and fight for comrades are always endearing. Of course, as always, it is still seen in the context of the 19th century.

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