The Four Feathers

Four Feathers

Screenplay by Michael Schiffer

revised by Hossein Amini

based on the book by A.E. Mason

EXT. TRAINING GROUND/ WESTMINSTER barracks/ LONDON - Day.

Through a veil of dust we see two lines of uniformed cavalry, stretched out across the parade ground. There's a tense silence except for the occasional flourish of hooves. A horseman steps out of each line.

LIEUTENANTS HARRY FEVERSHAM and JOHN DURRANCE face each other across the wide expanse. Already we feel the keen sense of competition between them. DURRANCE raises his sabre first. His horse sets off at a slow trot. His troops follow in perfect time. HARRY waits a moment, then raises his own sword. A sea of sabres rises up in response.

The two lines approach each other at a steady canter. A smile of anticipation lights up DURRANCE's face. He's a born soldier, enjoying himself. HARRY looks more nervous. He's not as easy as Durrance in the saddle. It's a skill he's acquired over the years rather than been born to.

DURRANCE seems to sense Harry's doubt. With a loud whoop he kicks his horse into a gallop and points his sabre forwards. His troops echo his war cry and descend on the opposing line at speed. HARRY checks his troops and responds. The two lines bear down on each other, hooves thundering, sabres pointed.

DURRANCE charges recklessly. His eyes are fixed on Harry all the time. HARRY holds his gaze, but doesn't look as sure of himself. He's thinking too much, trying too hard. His horse senses it and slows a fraction. The troops behind him lose their cohesion as they draw level.

DURRANCE sees the momentary lapse and waves his men on at full tilt. They pass through HARRY's troops in a perfect line, panicking their mounts, cheering triumphantly. HARRY's formation loses its shape. There's no doubt who's won the drill. DURRANCE wheels his horse around and grins at HARRY through the clouds of dust.

CREDITS ROLL.

INT. Changing room/ WESTMINSTER BARRACKS - day.

Moving through clouds of steam we see the CAVALRY OFFICERS washing themselves in wooden bathtubs. There's a din of voices, soldiers re-living the day's drill, those on Durrance's side still crowing over their victory.

DURRANCE walks with his arm around HARRY. With them is another friend, LIEUTENANT TRENCH, a squat bull of a man.

DURRANCE:

...How many does that make it Harry?

harry

It's not something I count.

DURRANCE:

How many Trench?

harry

Trench can't count.

TRENCH grabs HARRY in a neck hold. He lets go as he spots another friend of theirs, LIEUTENANT CASTELTON, sitting in a bathtub, staring out. TRENCH sneaks up on CASTELTON, and ducks his head under the water. CASTELTON comes up, spluttering. He reaches for a bar of soap and hurls it after TRENCH.

CASTELTON:

...Idiot.

INT. WILLOUGHBY's rooms/ barracks - day.

A fifth friend, LIEUTENANT WILLOUGHBY, stares at himself in the mirror. His hair like his uniform is perfect. There's a loud knocking on his door.

trench o/s

...Miss Willoughby, Miss Willoughby we're waiting.

WILLOUGHBY finally stops preening himself as he hears his friends picking the lock. He gets up reluctantly, taking one last look at his reflection in the mirror.

EXT. BARRACK GATES/ LONDON STREET - DAY.

The OFFICERS pour out of the barrack gates in full regimental unifom, a sea of gleaming red. We pick out HARRY, DURRANCE, TRENCH, WILLOUGHBY, and CASTELTON, laughing amongst themselves, taking turns to tease each other, inseperable.

INT. carriage/ HAnsom cab/ london streets - day.

The friends share a flask of whisky as they sit in the back of the carriage. WILLOUGHBY passes it on without taking a sip.

harry

Who are you planning to impress tonight?

trench

(Grinning)

Anna What's-her-name.

DURRANCE:

Anna What's-her-name's father more like. Don't think we're going to take you any more seriously when you're promoted.

wILLOUGHBY

(Quietly confident)

We'll see about that.

A chorus of mocking 'ooohs' from the others. TRENCH notices CASTLETON staring out of the window.

trench

What's so interesting about a London street?

CASTELTON:

(Reflecting)

Ask me that when we're in Bombay.

TRENCH rolls his eyes and turns to DURRANCE.

treNCH

Is Ethne going to be there?

We catch a hint of shyness in DURRANCE at the mention of Ethne's name.

DURRANCE:

I think so.

HARRY watches DURRANCE, a little uncomfortably, as if he's holding something back.

EXT. PARTY/ india office building/ london - night.

CARRIAGES line the entrance to the India Office. INDIAN VALETS in turbans and robes escort the GUESTS to the entrance, holding umbrellas over them.

The five friends crowd under a single umbrella. WILLOUGHBY makes sure he's in the middle, he doesn't want to get his uniform wet. TRENCH nudges him into the rain.

INT. The Durbar court/ party/ INDIA office - night.

Palm trees and fountains dominate the room. The ladies are dressed in ballgowns, the Officers in regimental colours. The full pomp and ceremony of Empire is on display. HARRY, DURRANCE, WILLOUGHBY, CASTELTON and TRENCH have gathered by the bar, a little overawed by the occasion.

trench

(Admiring the passing women)

I'm going to ask someone to dance.

willoughby

(Admiring the passing Generals)

You said that ten minutes ago.

trench

I'm waiting for Castelton.

CASTELTON stares at the ARISTOCRATIC WOMEN, paralysed with shyness.

trench

(Pouring him another drink)

...Just look dreamy. I'll do the talking.

DURRANCE smiles as he listens to them. He turns to HARRY.

DURRANCE:

Can you see Ethne?

harry

Not yet.

HARRY seems uneasy again. We sense there's something on his mind, something he wants to tell Durrance. DURRANCE doesn't pick up on it. He finishes his whisky and looks back into the throng.

WILLOUGHBY:

Harry, your father...

HARRY looks away from DURRANCE. He sees his father, GENERAL FEVERSHAM, shaking hands with some COLLEAGUES across the room.

INT. seating area/ durbar court/ india office - night.

GENERAL FEVERSHAM is deep in conversation with his friend, COLONEL SUTCH, a fellow veteran of the Crimean war. HARRY moves discreetly into their field of vision.

GENERAL FEVERSHAM

(His face lighting up)

Harry...

Immediately we feel the bond between father and son.

harry

(Greeting Colonel Sutch)

How are you Colonel?

COLONEL SUTCH:

Fine Harry. Relieved to see a few familiar faces. When are you boys shipping out?

harry

Next month.

COLONEL SUTCH:

Your father and I served in Bombay. There are worse places they could have sent you.

harry

Yes Sir.

HARRY smiles politely. SUTCH is sensitive enough to see that his mind is on other things. He lets father and son talk.

GENERAL FEVERSHAM

Is Ethne here?

HARRY:

Not yet.

They both smile, as if they share a secret. GENERAL FEVERSHAM reaches out and straightens his son's collar, trying to make him look as presentable as possible.

INT. dance area/ the durbar court/ india office - night.

TRENCH and CASTELTON are dancing with two GIRLS: TRENCH waltzing boisterously, CASTELTON taking it all very seriously.

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