***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** It's believed that the 19th century British Army fought as many wars, battles, confrontations, skirmishes, call them what you will; as there were years covering Queen Victoria's reign. And that was sixty years, all told.
The ordinary poor British subject joined the army to receive, what was known, as the Queen's shilling, to risk his life somewhere in the colonies to preserve and protect the Queen's Empire. But with young Harry Faversham, played by John Clements; his situation was different. Born into privilege and a military family, he would be "expected" to join the army and gain a commission because it was the family tradition and his duty to do so. The prospect to Harry was indeed, unpleasant.
About six minutes into the film we see the fearful 15-year old Harry Faversham seated at the opposite end of the long dining table from his glowering father, himself a retired general. And who wants his hapless son to be licked into shape to serve Queen and Empire. The Crimean War has broken out all over again amongst the dinner guests during coffee and brandy, with the formidable C. Aubrey Smith as General Burroughs booming, "War was war in those days!", has he reminisced to old comrades over past glories coupled with the grisly detail of soldiers dying bravely with mangled body wounds. Harry sits quietly, enduring the unpleasant subject; watching as General Burroughs displays the layout of the battle lines, with a handful of walnuts, a pineapple, and a drop of red wine symbolising, "the thin red line", of the British Army at Balaclava.
Ten years on and Harry Faversham is serving with the North Surrey Regiment, and displays no enthusiasm when the regiment is called to go on active duty to serve with General Herbert Kitchener's army in the Sudan. Not like Durrance, Willoughby and the younger Burroughs, who can't wait to have a crack at the Khalifa's Dervish Army and those damned fuzzy-wuzzys. (No political correctness here!). And unbounded enthusiasm is displayed by Willoughby, joking about being captured by those fuzzy-wuzzy chaps and "Hung up by the toes. All the money falling out your pockets. Shocking state of affairs!"
Faversham resigns his commission and receives white feathers, the mark of a coward, from his former fellow officers. The disguise of Faversham as a mute Sengali native is clever and certainly believable. Being branded by fellow officers is not pleasant. But self loathing propels him to literally be held down and branded with a hot iron on the forehead to authenticate his Arab disguise. "You are a brave man", he is told. A faint smile shows on Faversham's face. It seems the veil of cowardice has been lifted from his tormented mind. He had crossed the threshold and regained his honour and self respect.
Ralph Richardson as John Durrance turns in a performance that one could only expect from him, as a man blinded by sunstroke. Blindly staggering about in a tent, his face striking the suspended hurricane lamp. Alone in a scorching wilderness with a supposed mute Arab for company and an attempt at suicide which seemed the only way out is Richardson at his very best.
June Duprez as Ethne, a lovely dark haired beauty is perfectly cast to display a fine example of upper crust Victorian gentility. She carries it off well.
A tension filled scene occurs at the dinner table when John Durrence is back in England. Recalling his rescue by a mute Arab. The atmosphere becomes tense when the white feather from Durrence to Faversham tumbles out of the envelope onto the plate before Ethne. All the dinner guests, except Durrance of course, look on stunned at the feather. For Ethne, it is heartbreak all over again. Her husband then, is still possibly alive......somewhere.
The last few minutes of the film are a delight. Faversham is back home with Willoughby, and the younger Burroughs, who are about to hear once again General Burroughs hold forth about the Charge at Balaclava. Harry Faversham decides to stick his neck out and courageously correct the general about his part in the battle. Harry wins the argument with the general then turns and hands the last white feather to Ethne.
The three Korda Brothers turned out a fine film from a grand nineteenth century story. In what any red-blooded British schoolboy would class as a, "Ripping good yarn!"
The ordinary poor British subject joined the army to receive, what was known, as the Queen's shilling, to risk his life somewhere in the colonies to preserve and protect the Queen's Empire. But with young Harry Faversham, played by John Clements; his situation was different. Born into privilege and a military family, he would be "expected" to join the army and gain a commission because it was the family tradition and his duty to do so. The prospect to Harry was indeed, unpleasant.
About six minutes into the film we see the fearful 15-year old Harry Faversham seated at the opposite end of the long dining table from his glowering father, himself a retired general. And who wants his hapless son to be licked into shape to serve Queen and Empire. The Crimean War has broken out all over again amongst the dinner guests during coffee and brandy, with the formidable C. Aubrey Smith as General Burroughs booming, "War was war in those days!", has he reminisced to old comrades over past glories coupled with the grisly detail of soldiers dying bravely with mangled body wounds. Harry sits quietly, enduring the unpleasant subject; watching as General Burroughs displays the layout of the battle lines, with a handful of walnuts, a pineapple, and a drop of red wine symbolising, "the thin red line", of the British Army at Balaclava.
Ten years on and Harry Faversham is serving with the North Surrey Regiment, and displays no enthusiasm when the regiment is called to go on active duty to serve with General Herbert Kitchener's army in the Sudan. Not like Durrance, Willoughby and the younger Burroughs, who can't wait to have a crack at the Khalifa's Dervish Army and those damned fuzzy-wuzzys. (No political correctness here!). And unbounded enthusiasm is displayed by Willoughby, joking about being captured by those fuzzy-wuzzy chaps and "Hung up by the toes. All the money falling out your pockets. Shocking state of affairs!"
Faversham resigns his commission and receives white feathers, the mark of a coward, from his former fellow officers. The disguise of Faversham as a mute Sengali native is clever and certainly believable. Being branded by fellow officers is not pleasant. But self loathing propels him to literally be held down and branded with a hot iron on the forehead to authenticate his Arab disguise. "You are a brave man", he is told. A faint smile shows on Faversham's face. It seems the veil of cowardice has been lifted from his tormented mind. He had crossed the threshold and regained his honour and self respect.
Ralph Richardson as John Durrance turns in a performance that one could only expect from him, as a man blinded by sunstroke. Blindly staggering about in a tent, his face striking the suspended hurricane lamp. Alone in a scorching wilderness with a supposed mute Arab for company and an attempt at suicide which seemed the only way out is Richardson at his very best.
June Duprez as Ethne, a lovely dark haired beauty is perfectly cast to display a fine example of upper crust Victorian gentility. She carries it off well.
A tension filled scene occurs at the dinner table when John Durrence is back in England. Recalling his rescue by a mute Arab. The atmosphere becomes tense when the white feather from Durrence to Faversham tumbles out of the envelope onto the plate before Ethne. All the dinner guests, except Durrance of course, look on stunned at the feather. For Ethne, it is heartbreak all over again. Her husband then, is still possibly alive......somewhere.
The last few minutes of the film are a delight. Faversham is back home with Willoughby, and the younger Burroughs, who are about to hear once again General Burroughs hold forth about the Charge at Balaclava. Harry Faversham decides to stick his neck out and courageously correct the general about his part in the battle. Harry wins the argument with the general then turns and hands the last white feather to Ethne.
The three Korda Brothers turned out a fine film from a grand nineteenth century story. In what any red-blooded British schoolboy would class as a, "Ripping good yarn!"