The Four Feathers2002

Splendidly spectacular, intelligent and very well-acted.

A rousing tragedy that manages to become a heart warming story. It has many wide scenic shots which are spectacular to look at. The movie has this parallel between the opening sequence and parts of the later story, like the rugby scene or the ball room scene where they form a square. However the execution of the story is a bit idiotic, the character's decision making is rather dubious but at the end of the day it can all be forgiven once the wholeness of the story comes together, this is a bane and a boon, at some point I wondered what the meaning of it all was, but later on it became clear. And just as a history bit, the British were in fact the "good" guys in the story, the Arabs being the ones who had conquered and enslaved Sudan. The movie is along the same time with Khartoum, which is perhaps even more tragic.

Ledger is a charismatic, conflicted hero who internalizes his character's shame and anguish to powerful effect. Wes Bentley is similarly strong as Ledger's best friend turned romantic rival, and Kapur makes the most of Africa's breathtaking desert, crafting a gorgeous spectacle that's at once stately and hyper-real.