What movie endings did you hate and why?
Based on the novel by A. E. W. Mason, the story is set in Sudan during the wars against the Mahdi. British officer Harry Faversham refuses to join an expedition to rescue General Charles Gordon, the British-appointed governor of Sudan, and resigns from his post. Viewing his withdrawal as cowardice, three friends and his fiancée, Ethne, give him a white feather, the symbol of cowardice. Ethne then breaks off their engagement.
When the expedition is defeated by the Mahdi’s forces and British officers are taken prisoner, Harry travels to Sudan to rescue them. There, he saves his friends, who are hostages of the Mahdi. His friends, acknowledging his bravery, return the feathers as apologies. Ethne also gives back the white feather she had given him.
If I were the protagonist, I would not accept Ethne’s apology — she, who never fought in the war, remained comfortably in England, and called me a coward. I would reject her excuses and refuse reconciliation. Refusing to fight in a senseless colonialist war is not cowardice.
Jack, one of Harry’s friends, discovers Harry was his savior by touching his face. He releases Ethne from their engagement, as she had become engaged to another friend of her former fiancé. After a memorial ceremony, Harry and Ethne hold hands and renew their commitment.
I only wish the protagonist had rejected her and left for another country, denying her a second chance.
Heath Ledger plays Harry Faversham, and Kate Hudson portrays his fiancée, Ethne