The film 'The Four Feathers', (Director Shekhar Kapur), released in 2002, is a film about a British soldier of a young age, Harry Faversham, played by Heath Ledger. The first version was released in 1915 as a black and white silent film. The story is set around the 1800's. The opening scene consists of the officers playing a game of rugby.The weather is rather dull and its raining. Harry is trying to impress a young lady which he fancies, Ethne, played by Kate Hudson. Being a coward, Harry resigns his post to go fight the enemy and brings shame on himself. He was lacking ambition. Due to his cowardliness his wife and friends give him 4 weathers, the symbol of cowardice, his betrayal. Harry changes his mind and goes undercover to help his friends out and win back their trust and his honour. The story flows through the different scenes showing transformation from one act to another. Principal photography started in Morocco, where one can see the jaw dropping views which provided great backdrop for the film. Many of the shots depict sea and sand dunes. Sand storms were a challenge, even the man-made ones, which were done using fans the size of aeroplane propellers. The Atmosphere of the desert was made thanks to the help of director of photography Robert Richardson.
"My main technique for filming the desert scenes was to shoot into the sun," says Richardson. "By back-lighting the shot, I was able to produce a sharp contrast between the characters and the landscape." (Robert Richardson, 2002).
The techniques used by Richardson give that feeling of being on edge and total reality . He was well able to add in and put energy into his shots in the ways he functions his camera. According to Henry Camilleri, Military co-ordinator, "The way that soldiers marched in Victorian days was totally different from today's style, The real soldiers had to unlearn everything they had previously learned in the military and learn the way things were done in the 1800s'' (Henry Camilleri, 2002)
"My main technique for filming the desert scenes was to shoot into the sun," says Richardson. "By back-lighting the shot, I was able to produce a sharp contrast between the characters and the landscape." (Robert Richardson, 2002).
The techniques used by Richardson give that feeling of being on edge and total reality . He was well able to add in and put energy into his shots in the ways he functions his camera. According to Henry Camilleri, Military co-ordinator, "The way that soldiers marched in Victorian days was totally different from today's style, The real soldiers had to unlearn everything they had previously learned in the military and learn the way things were done in the 1800s'' (Henry Camilleri, 2002)
Various elements of transoformation are seen when it comes to the character of Harry. There is change from the beginning of the film to the end. In the beginning scenes he is portrayed as a coward and then a hero. There is progress in his character where he becomes more mature and pulls himself together, not being a coward anymore and trying get himself back on track. As part of his undercover plan to go help out his friends he also disguises himself from a officer to an Arab .
When it came to soundtracks used you could tell how they were used to create and leave and effect on the scene and the viewer. The change of soundtracks changes between the scenes to create different moods relevant to what it happening in that scene. There is also transformation of clothing. It is clear that the producer took note and did his research when it came it to costumes. We notice the detail and the characteristics of the real clothes back in those days. They are very authentic in look. We also see this in the ball gowns and clothes warn by the rebels. Through the costumes we were able to see mythical power of the story. There is also transformation in clothing when we see the change from Harry being an officer to an Arab. There was also great use when it came to lighting and one could say that it definately helped with the way the producer wanted to portray the scene. Lighting and sound make a great difference when it comes to filming a scene as it sets the mood, the feelings that should be felt and helps create the atmosphere. Another similar example would be the Godfather. In the scenes which are held inside the house, they are dark depicting the shady and bad things that go on inside the building. Whereas, outside is light and everyone is cheerful oblivious of what is going on behind the walls of the house. There is a clear example of transformation and conflict.
Wikipedia, 2012, The Four Feathers (2002 Film). [online]Available at: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Feathers_(2002_film)> [Accessed 15 December 2012]
Youtube, 2008, 26 December, The Four Feathers. [online] Available at:<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ_MrNPOzG4> [Acessed 15 December 2012]
IMDb,2002, The Four Feathers. [online] Available at: <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0240510/> [Accessed 15 December 2012]
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