2002, 2 hrs 10 min., Rated PG-13 for intense battle sequences, disturbing images, violence and some sensuality. Dir: Shekhar Kapur. Cast: Heath Ledger (Harry Faversham), Wes Bentley (Jack), Kate Hudson (Ethne), Djimon Hounsou (Abou), Michael Sheen (Trench), Kris Marshall (Castleton), Rupert Penry-Jones (Willoughby).

Four Feathers is the kind of film where you know the character of every person in the movie in the first ten minutes. I'm pointing at the screen, noting what is obvious to become of them. Is this a bad thing? Not really. There are conventions in every film, and I've seen so many military-based flicks that there's not much ground left to trample. Except one that I can't forgive: the love triangle. This is one plot device that I detest, and wonder who gets the bright idea that it should be in every other movie when it's never necessary.

As to the plot, the year is 1884 and England controls the world (or at least thinks it does, or should), with the Empire covering a quarter of the planet. Unfortunately, that also means it declares desolate places like the Sudan, where I have no inkling of a clue as to why someone would want to stake a claim. Seriously, there's no redeeming value unless you're playing Risk. Even then, I'd rather have Kamchatka.

But go the English do, sending their finest boys to die in the desert. At least one soldier, Heath Ledger, realizes the futility of this order, even if it means he's branded a coward by his friends, fiancee (Kate Hudson) and father. In an effort to prove he's a man and overcome regrets of abandoning his soldier pals, he goes to ensure their safety in the desert wasteland they're fighting for.

This isn't the first Four Feathers movie, by the way. There have been a handful of others some 50 to 80 years ago, but it's been so long since I've seen one I forget how they played out, or which one(s) I saw. I'd like to rent one and find out, but it's not at my local video stores and isn't scheduled to play on any network anytime soon. So I'll just stick to looking at this version as a stand-alone, and not base it on how it compares to previous works.

In doing so, the 2002 version doesn't entirely work well by itself. I found many pieces to be missing, leaving my mind disjointed as to how things came about or motivations of some characters. What made this especially troubling is that the director is Shekhar Kapur, who helmed Elizabeth, one of my favorites of the last decade. If you doubt me, I tell you that to get ready for today I spent five hours yesterday watching my DVD of Elizabeth twice, once for the movie and a second time for Kapur's commentary. This helped me prepare for what to look for in Four Feathers, such as how the camera moves, Kapur's fondness for showing the characters revealing themselves through dancing and especially how he frames shots to show the whole picture, with the people taking one little corner of the screen while the scenery dominates the other 9/10th.

I will give credit to the filmmakers for using young Hollywood hotties who actually have acting talent. Main man Heath Ledger is a likable chap, and pulls off a fine performance in the lead, something he's done before (heck, I even enjoyed A Knight's Tale) and should get the chance to do for years to come. Ledger can pull off drama as well as he does action, which serves him well and gives the audience someone to root for. One begins to question whether he's a coward for resigning his commission, or the only brave one for standing up to the meaninglessness of the mission.

I'm not sure Kate Hudson was the girl for this role, as Ledger's fiancee. Yes, she's very pretty and charming, but just seems very Hollywood, or at least too chipper and sweet for playing a proper 1880s English girl. Still, I very much like Hudson, just more in giggly comedies.

Ledger's best friend and part of the love triangle is played by Wes Bentley (an American like Hudson, while Ledger is Australian, so I'm beginning to wonder if any English were harmed making the picture). Bentley is fine, though I wonder if he'll ever be able to play the lead. Maybe it's just the American Beauty influence, but he still comes across a little creepy, as if there's something else you should know about his purpose.

Once in Sudan, Ledger finds a confidante in Djimon Hounsou. You might remember him from Gladiator, where he played a strong black slave who protects his white friend. Here, well, he's a strong black slave who protects his white friend. There's always Amistad where he, well, was a strong black African slave. Hey Djimon, better start asking your agent about other roles.

In summary (stop clapping), I would actually recommend it based on the interesting story and how it treats the characters. Don't expect anything new, however, because this is still essentially a Hollywood production with many of the same devices you've seen in 1,000 other movies. But the performances are worth it, and the action and situations are the reasons to see The Four Feathers. So consider this a tottery thumbs up.