#583: KORDA, Zoltán: The Four Feathers (1939)

KORDA, Zoltán (United Kingdom)

The Four Feathers [1939]

Spine #583
Blu-ray

This Technicolor spectacular, directed by Zoltán Korda, is considered the finest of the many adaptations of A. E. W. Mason's classic 1902 adventure novel about the British empire's exploits in Africa, and a crowning achievement of Alexander Korda's legendary production company, London Films. Set at the end of the nineteenth century, The Four Feathers follows the travails of a young officer (John Clements) accused of cowardice after he resigns his post on the eve of a major deployment to Khartoum; he must then fight to redeem himself in the eyes of his fellow officers (including Ralph Richardson) and fiancée (June Duprez). Featuring music by Miklós Rózsa and Oscar-nominated cinematography by Georges Périnal and Osmond Borradaile, The Four Feathers is a thrilling, thunderous epic.

115 minutes
Color

Monaural

1:37:1 aspect ratio

Criterion Release 2011

Director/Writers

Based upon the novel by A.E.W. Mason.

Screenplay by R.C. Sherriff.

Zoltán Korda was 44 when he directed The Four Feathers.

Other Zoltán Korda films in the Collection:

#372: Sanders Of The River (1935)
Eclipse Series 30: The Drum (1938)
Eclipse Series 30: Jungle Book (1942)

The Film

The three Feathers films before this one (1915, 1921, 1929 [w/Fay Wray]) and the two biggest subsequent remakes (1978, 2002 [w/Heath Ledger] are all rendered moot and unnecessary by this version.

On the other hand, as blazingly original as this early Technicolor marvel is — it is impossible to reconcile the 23 years that passed between this film and Lawrence of Arabia (1962) without feeling that Lean was treading the same ground that Korda had first discovered and uncovered! — and just had better lenses and PR men …

Rich in scope and detail, the 1902 book is eminently readable and will naturally include scenes and characters not present in the film.

**

The tension between the producer/director brothers (Alexander and Zoltán Korda) is evident throughout the film (see Commentary, below) …

Harry Faversham (John Clements). The character is initially quite interesting as a thoughtful conscientious objector. Everything after the branding is a ridiculous mixture of quivering limbs and painfully pretending that he has no tongue.

Captain John Durrance (Ralph Richardson). Justly praised for this performance, there is nevertheless a kind of queasiness watching him pretending to be blind.

General Burroughs (C. Aubrey Smith). The quintessential English gentleman. One of the greatest character actors in British cinema. He is the central figure of the joke which concludes the film.

Film Rating (0-60):

54

The Extras

The Booklet

Ten-page wraparound featuring an essay by film critic Michael Sragow.

“Alexander’s nephew Michael Korda (son of Vincent) memorably wrote in Charmed Lives, his insightful family memoir, that his mogul uncle was ‘a Hungarian who became more British than the British themselves.’ Michael’s other uncle, Zoltán, ‘was drawn to the “natives” of British Africa and India with fierce intensity and humanity.’ Michael saw their collaboration as ‘compromises between Zoli’s love of the natives and their way of life and Alex’s desire to produce pro-Empire pictures in praise of the white man’s burden.’”

Commentary

By film historian Charles Drazin.

So the main interest is the Korda brothers, Alexander, Zoltán and Vincent). Drazin is very good at pointing out the results of Alexander’s meddling (inserts where the sky is blatantly mismatched, etc.)

Video interview

With David Korda, son of director Zoltán.

Good family stories.

A Day at Denham

A short film from 1939 featuring footage of Korda on the set of The Four Feathers.

Theatrical trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

33

54 + 33 =

87

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