| Date | Original Topic |
| 29th July 2002 | The Four Feathers
By David Bluestein
Slightly off topic to the Zulu war, but certainly of interest to those of us who study British Victorian campaigns like myself. Hollywood has made a remake of 1930's movie: "The Four Feathers"! A movie classic that I have always enjoyed and will be anxious to see the newest version coming to theatres this September. There is a famous disaster sequence in the original story that shows the last moments of a British company slaughtered to a man by an onslaught of Fuzzies; this sequence always left me thinking about Isandlwana. You can see the movie trailer at a site called: "Apple Movie Trailers .com" |
| Date | Replies |
| 29th July 2002 | Alex Rossiter
Hi
Ive just seen the trailer and it looks amazing hopefully soon someone will make a zulu war film |
| 30th July 2002 | Gary Laliberty
Hi David,
Thanks for that infor. That was a great trailer about the 'new' movie. There was also a "made for television" movie" here in the USA, also called "The Four Feathers" back in 1977. Not a very good re-make of the 'old' 1939 movie. |
| 30th July 2002 | Alex Rossiter
Hi
Does anyone know did they wear redcoats in the sudan and would they have used martini henry rifles? |
| 30th July 2002 | John Young
Alex,
Depends who the troops were, where and when. But in answer to your question redcoats were worn at the battle of Ginniss, 30th December, 1885, the battle at which Horace Smith-Dorrien, the Isandlwana survivor was awarded the D.S.O.
Martini-Henrys were still in use then, the Lee-Metford did not become general issue until 1887/8. Even after that local forces still retained the Martini-Henry. At the battle of Omdurman, 2nd September, 1898, the Sudanese battalions of the Anglo-Egyptian army, including one commanded by the same Smith-Dorrien, were still armed with Martini-Henrys.
John Young,
Chairman,
Anglo-Zulu War Research Society. |
| 30th July 2002 | Dan Rudary
David,
I was at the movies yesterday and I saw a poster advertising "The Four Feathers". When I saw what looked to be like British Officers in the Sudan, I went home, got on the web, and looked up the movie. I am very anxious to see it, as I am very interested in British Colonial Warfare.
Dan Rudary |
| 30th July 2002 | Alex Rossiter
John,
Thankyou for the information ,i think it says 4 fethers is set in 1898 yet the uniforms aretn khaki ? it looks more like a zulu war film going by the uniform and in the trailer there hill that looks just like isandlwana :-) |
| 30th July 2002 | David Bluestein
That was the only thing that bothered me, was they are NOT wearing khaki. This should have been case in 1898? I wish when Hollywood made a movie they would involve historical advisors who would insist on accuracy! Still, it good that historical movies get made from time to time, I will look forward to seeing this one. I would love to see a re-make of Zulu; which I actually heard rumours of several years ago. |
| 30th July 2002 | Alex Rossiter
The uniforms look a bit like mounted infantry , i think soon they will make a zulu film as long as it is roughly accurate and has lots of english actors |
| 30th July 2002 | David Bluestein
I agree, when the British make a film you can expect a much higher degree of reaslism and accuracy! |
| 30th July 2002 | ian hitch
lol You just cant trust those hollywood shmoos. it should be canadirans or british. i cant wait to see who will be in the film. |
| 30th July 2002 | John Young
Just to set your minds at rest, apparently this version of 'The Four Feathers' is set circa 1884-1885, the campaign against the Mahdi.
Mason's book apparently relates to this earlier campaign rather than the 1898 campaign that most of the previous versions of the movie have portrayed.
I had a 'phone call one night from one of the advisers asking me for the name of a battle which might feature in the time frame. So I gave him Abu Klea, maybe that's what they chosen to base the battle scene on, sadly I wasn't kept informed as to the outcome.
John Young,
Chairman,
Anglo-Zulu War Research Society. |
| 13th August 2002 | A M BANKS
I was told that the movie makers wished to alter the Four Feathers to the earlier war as red coats were more 'pleasing to the eye' on film. Hmm... I expect that it'll make more bucks. Let's face it, these chaps don't do it for charity!
Movie poster looks cracking though. Can't wait!
AMB |
| 20th August 2002 | Trev
If they ever make a film. Put me down for a part in it. I don't care where they make it, or who the leading lady is. Just make sure I end up behind a barrackade with a red coat and a rifle. |
| 20th September 2002 | Lee
ABu Klea....anyone own "Somgs of the Redcoats"?
".... Weep not me lads for those who fell they did not flinch nor fear, but stood their ground like Englishmen and died at Abu Klea....."
I too am curious about the use of red coats (service dress?) in this timeframe.
Lee |
| 21st September 2002 | Michael
I have just seen the Four Feathers. I am afraid that it is another Patriot as far as depicting the noble redcoat.
Sudan era tactics and drill are a bit beyond my period of knowledge, but the movie shows some questionable actions. Form square from clump is a new one to me.
Perhaps those of you that know the Sudan era drill might view the movie and fill us in on the mistakes and blatant goofs?
YHS
Michael |
| 23rd September 2002 | Kevin
re: 4 feathers khaki
I'm quoting "A History of Regiments & Uniforms of the British Army" by Maj. R.M. Barnes (3rd ed. 1953): He cites the Khartoum Expedition, 1884 (with the Battle of Abu Klea), as "the last war in which red coats were worn, and already the exigencies of desert war were hurrying the transformation...true to type, the War Office held out to the last against making (the change to khaki) universal, though it had been worn for about thirty years in India.
"Weapons were the Martini rifle and carbine, primitive machine guns and field guns...(A)t Abu Klea they broke into the middle of the square and for some time there was a desperate melee inside it. The troops dealt manfully with them and few got out again...more than a thousand dead Arabs were counted."
|
| 1st October 2002 | Lance Reah
I was one of the military trainers or advisors on set in marroco for twelve weeks with paramount Miramax
. appart from the drill and volly actions, it became apparent that historical or visual accuracy went out the window, yes we advised that
uniforms were incorrect and in portions of the film you can witness modern rifle movements such as "fix bayonets" visual effect was the key words floating about at the time,
i myself am a former coldstream guard of twelve years service to hmf. having said the above i am in a feature of the movie as a colour sergeant whipping Abu on a pole.
through out the movie i can be seen between the colours marching, and during the battle scene, needless to say i had radios in each ear contolling the volly fire with my number two
whom also served as a scots guard for many years. an experiance to say the least, should make a great viewing in the UK, |
