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The Four Feathers Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    49

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 30

    out of 100

    The New York Times A.O. Scott

    Such few assets aren't enough to alleviate the film's shallowness.

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  • 30

    out of 100

    Variety Todd McCarthy

    There is no one to become attached to in The Four Feathers, no interest or sympathies appealed to or engaged.

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  • 50

    out of 100

    USA Today Mike Clark

    Kapur's stodgy style halts the momentum of young actors who have impressed in other movies.

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  • 50

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

    All these intriguing good intentions, however, have largely gone for naught because of a variety of missteps, starting with an increasing implausible plot as well as the fact that Ledger's Harry looks about as likely to pass for an Arab as the Mahdi is to pass for Queen Victoria.

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  • 50

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    It looks good, it moves quickly and it is often a jolly good time. As mindless swashbuckling in a well-designed production, it can't be faulted. The less you know about the British Empire and human nature, the more you will like it, but then that can be said of so many movies.

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  • 58

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    It may be an accidental historical parallel that, at times, we seem to be watching a 19th-century version of ''The John Walker Lindh Story,'' but the fluke is only enhanced by the weird anonymity of Ledger's performance.

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  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

    At its best, this new film does mix grandeur with skepticism, excitement with reflection. In the end, like Harry, it redeems itself.

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  • See all The Four Feathers reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 12+

A decent film with some intense battle violence.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this movie has intense battle violence with graphic injuries. Characters are wounded and killed. There's brief nudity in a locker room and a non-explicit sexual situation. The portrayal of non-whites is less offensive than in previous versions of the story but still reflects the prejudices of the era. The enemy is referred to as "an army of Mohammedan fanatics" and "heathens," and the English think they must win because they have "nobler souls."

  • Families can talk about how the movie's plot relates to current concerns about terrorism and the possibility of war. Both sides think that they are doing what God wants them to do. Is there any way to prevent war under those conditions? The director is originally from India. How do you think that affects his portrayal of an era in which British officers referred to non-whites as "wogs" and "heathens?"

What to watch for
  • violence false4

    Violence: Intense and explicit peril and battle violence.

  • sex false3

    Sex: None-graphic sexual situation; women stolen and forced into prostitution.

  • language false3

    Language: Mild

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Social drinking and smoking

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