Movie Description
Based on the novel by A.E.W. Mason, this movie adaptation is the third of its kind, following 1939 and 1977 versions. It is the story of a British commander, Harry (Heath Ledger), who follows in his father's footsteps by joining the army. He is engaged to marry the woman of his dreams, Ethne (Kate Hudson), whose father was also a soldier. But when his regiment is to be sent to war in the Sudan, Harry gets nervous. On a whim, he resigns his post, and is instantly rebuffed by three of his closest friends. They each give him a feather symbolic of his fear. When he tells Ethne what he has done, she gives him the fourth, explaining that she cannot love a coward. Lost and alone, Harry cannot come to grips with what has happened. So he travels alone to the Sudan, hoping to in some way help his fellow countrymen and redeem his honor. What he finds instead is a land rife with slavery, brutal violence, and a deadly desert climate. He is befriended by Abou (Djimon Hounsou), a Sudanese wanderer, who saves Harry's life time after time. Director Shekhar Kapur (ELIZABETH) makes this moving adventure story utterly believable with striking photography by Robert Richardson and unmatchable performances from Ledger and Hounsou.
| Credits | | Producer: | Marty Katz, Paul Feldsher | | Cast: | Heath Ledger |
| Details | | Edition: | Full Screen | | Sound: | Stereo Sound |
Notes
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Full Screen
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Shekhar Kapur - Director
Trailer - 1. Theatrical
Featurettes - 1. A JOURNEY FROM WITHIN (Making Of)
2. THE SOUNDS OF EAST AND WEST
3. THE BATTLE OF ABOU CLEA
4. THE MYSTERY OF THE DESERT
5. A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
6. THE FRIENDSHIP OF ABOU FATMA
7. A JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY
8. SURVIVING THE PRISON
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Selection, Theatrical Release: SEPTEMBER 20, 2002
Editorial Reviews
"...The great cinematographer Robert Richardson lights the battle scenes like action paintings..."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (10/17/2002)
"...An old-fashioned but emotionally stirring adventure tale of the kind they rarely make anymore..."
Box Office - Shlomo Schwartzberg (11/01/2002)
"...Spectacular....Contributing to the epic scope of the film are James Horner's elegant score..."
Hollywood Reporter - Michael Rechtshaffen (09/10/2002)
"...Heath Ledger cuts a reasonable dash....Enjoyable..."
Sight and Sound - Naman Ramachandran (09/01/2003)
"[T]he battle scenes deliver David Lean-style spectacle."
Total Film - Matthew Leyland (04/01/2004)
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