| Storm Over the Nile | |
|---|---|
 Original cinema poster | |
| Directed by | Zoltan Korda Terence Young |
| Written by | R. C. Sherriff Lajos Bíró |
| Based on | The Four Feathers byA. E. W. Mason |
| Produced by | Zoltan Korda |
| Starring | Laurence Harvey Anthony Steel James Robertson Justice Mary Ure Geoffrey Keen Ronald Lewis Ian Carmichael |
| Cinematography | Osmond Borradaile Edward Scaife |
| Edited by | Raymond Poulton |
| Music by | Benjamin Frankel |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Independent Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 107 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | £197,803(UK)[1] |
Storm Over the Nile is a 1955 Britishadventure film adaptation of the 1902 novelThe Four Feathers, directed byTerence Young andZoltan Korda. The film not only extensively used footage of the action scenes from the1939 film version stretched intoCinemaScope, but is ashot-for-shot, almost line-for-line remake of the earlier film, which was also directed by Korda. Several pieces of music by the original composerMiklos Rozsa were also utilized. It featuredAnthony Steel,Laurence Harvey,James Robertson Justice,Mary Ure,Ian Carmichael,Michael Hordern andChristopher Lee. The film was shot on location in theSudan.
Harry Faversham is a sensitive child interested in intellectual pursuits, much to the dismay of his father, aCrimean War veteran. Descended from a proud lineage of soldiers, his father views Harry as weak and cowardly. Harry grows up haunted by his father's war stories, particularly those about cowardly soldiers who took their own lives out of shame. As an adult, Harry fulfills his father's expectations by accepting a commission in the Royal North Surrey Regiment and becomes engaged to Mary, the daughter of his father's friend, General Burroughs—despite the disapproval of his romantic rival and fellow officer, John Durrance.
Following his father's death, Harry's regiment is ordered to theSudan Campaign to joinGeneral Herbert Kitchener's forces and avengeGeneral Gordon's death at theSiege of Khartoum. Unwilling to fight, Harry resigns his commission. In response, he receives three white feathers—symbols of cowardice—from his fellow officers, John, Thomas Willoughby, and Mary's brother, Peter. Mary expresses her disappointment in Harry, believing they are bound by their families' expectations. Harry ends their relationship after insisting that she also give him a feather, which she reluctantly does.
Months later, Harry encounters his father's old friend, Dr. Sutton. Confiding in him, Harry laments being branded a coward. Sutton disagrees, arguing that Harry is brave—ambitious, principled, and unwilling to fight in a war he does not believe in. Determined to return the feathers and redeem himself, Harry travels to Egypt. There, Sutton's friend disguises Harry as a member of the Sengali tribe—a despised group whose tongues were cut out—to conceal his inability to speak Arabic. Harry receives a brand on his forehead and darkens his skin before setting off to find his old regiment near theCataracts of the Nile.
Meanwhile, during a reconnaissance mission, John hides in a sun-exposed crevice to evade Sudanese forces, but hours of exposure cause heatstroke and leave him permanently blind. That night, Harry anonymously warns the company of an impending attack and saves John's life. Despite this, most of the company is killed or captured, including Peter and Thomas, who are imprisoned inOmdurman. Still concealing his identity, Harry guides a weakened Peter back to British lines.
Back in England, Sutton tells Mary that Harry had gone to Egypt and is now presumed dead. Later, John returns home and becomes engaged to Mary, though she remains heartbroken over Harry. During dinner, John discusses his mysterious saviour and shares a letter Mary sent him that he had carried throughout the campaign, unaware that a feather, secretly placed by Harry, falls out. Mary sees the feather and realises Harry is alive.
In Egypt, the disguised Harry infiltrates Omdurman and covertly delivers afile to the imprisoned Peter and Thomas. The guards become suspicious of his behaviour and search him, discovering the remaining feathers. They imprison him with the others, and he reveals his identity. Kitchenerattacks Omdurman, distracting its forces and allowing Harry to lead a daring escape, rallying the British and Sudanese prisoners to help capture Omdurman. As they raise theUnion Jack over the city, the battle is won in Kitchener's favour.
Back in England, John hears news of the victory, learning that Peter and Thomas were saved by Harry. Realising who his saviour had been, he checks the letter again and finds the feather. Acknowledging that Mary still loves Harry, John writes her a letter in which he lies, claiming he is travelling abroad to seek treatment for his blindness, thus releasing her from any obligation to him. Sometime later, Harry returns home and reunites with Mary, finally returning her feather.
The film was one of the last movies made byAlexander Korda. The producer said he wanted to make films that were in colour and had big screen spectacle in order to entice audiences away from television.[citation needed] Finance came in part from Romulus Films.[2]
Kenneth More says Korda offered him a lead role in the film but he turned it down to appear inThe Deep Blue Sea (1955) instead.[3] At one point it was going to be calledNone But the Brave.[4]Ann Miller was reportedly offered a role.[5] It was an early film role forRonald Lewis who was signed to a contract by Korda after impressing on stage inMourning Becomes Electra.[6][7]
The film used locally posted British soldiers for some of the battle scenes.Zoltan Korda reportedly complained the process of blowing up the old footage toCinemaScope "stretched the camels out until they looked like greyhounds."[8]
Variety said it "places full emphasis on action".[9]
FilmInk saidAnthony Steel "isn't terribly convincing as a coward, but he has heroic dash suitable for the part – he completely suits the universe of the movie (as opposed to co-starLaurence Harvey who always seems to be 'acting')."[10]