They made him a hero by branding him a coward . . . the story of a man who conquered fear


The Four Feathers is a 1977 British television film adaptation of the classic novel The Four Feathers by novelist A.E.W. Mason. Directed by Don Sharp, this version starred Beau Bridges, Robert Powell, Simon Ward and Jane Seymour, and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. It follows the novel almost exactly, and response to the film was very positive.

This fifth film version of A.E.W. Mason's "Sun Never Sets" adventure novel The Four Feathers was adapted for television by Gerald DiPego. Following the death of British general "Chinese" Gordon at Khartoum, 19th-century gentleman officer Harry Favershem (Beau Bridges) is summoned to active duty in the Sudan. Though not a coward, Favershem fears that he'll turn coward in the heat of battle, thereby costing the lives of his comrades; thus, he opts to stay in England. Three of his disgruntled fellow officers each send Favershem a white feather, the symbol of cowardice. When a fourth feather is handed to Favershem by his fiancee (Jane Seymour), Favershem vows to prove himself in battle--and to personally hand back the four feathers to his accusers.


Airdate: January 1, 1978 on NBC