The Four Feathers (1939)

John Clements: Harry Faversham

Photos 

Quotes 

• Harry Faversham : In England, the white feather is the mark of a coward.

  Dr. Harraz : Ah, I see. Then why worry? Be a coward and be happy.

  Harry Faversham : No, Doctor. I have been a coward, and I wasn't happy.

• Ethne Burroughs : Some people are born free. They can do as they like without concern for consequences. But you were not born free, Harry, and nor was I. We were born into a tradition, a code which we must obey even if we do not believe. And we must obey it, Harry, because the pride and happiness of everyone surrounding us depends upon our obedience.

  Harry Faversham : I quite understand. There should be four feathers here.

• Harry Faversham : The man who tries to cheat his fate is more than a coward, he's a fool as well.

• Dr. Sutton : Many a man is haunted by some fear.

  Harry Faversham : With me it was more than fear. My father despised me. He believed me to be a coward. His belief turned fear into reality.

• Harry Faversham : I am a coward, Doctor. If I'd been anything but a soldier I might have lived my whole life and concealed it. But to be a soldier *and* a coward is to be an impostor, a menace to the men whose lives are in your hands.

• Harry Faversham : [telling Ethne he has resigned his commission]  We've discussed it so often. The futility of this idiotic Egyptian adventure. The madness of it all. The ghastly waste of time that we can never have again.

• Harry Faversham : [continuing to explain to Ethne his reason for resigning]  I believe in our happiness. I believe in the work to be done here to save an estate that's near to ruin. To save all those people who've been neglected by my family because they preferred glory in India. Glory in China. Glory in Africa.

• [last lines] 

  Harry Faversham : Ethne, your feather.

• Colonel : [Faversham has presented himself in the Colonel's office]  Well, Faversham?

  Harry Faversham : [handing him an envelope]  I want you to accept this, sir.

  Colonel : [glances at it but doesn't open it]  What is it?

  Harry Faversham : I am resigning my commission.

  Colonel : [shocked]  "Resigning your commission"? What do you mean?

  Harry Faversham : I mean just that, sir.

  Colonel : I don't understand you, Faversham.

  Harry Faversham : I should have taken this action months ago. I only accepted a commission for my father's sake. Because all his family have been soldiers. But when he died, my duty towards him was done.

  Colonel : [taken aback]  Your duty towards *him*? Have you no duty towards your country?

  Harry Faversham : [stands still looking at the Colonel, but says nothing] 

  Colonel : Oh, go lie down in a dark room, my boy! You'll be all right in the morning.

  Harry Faversham : I've made up my mind, sir.

  Colonel : Faversham, if you do this, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.

  Harry Faversham : I'm sorry, sir. I've made up my mind.

  Colonel : [angrily pounds his desk]  You're deliberately shirking your duty! I refuse to accept your resignation!

  Harry Faversham : I am within my rights to resign, sir. You *cannot* refuse.

  Colonel : [sternly]  I never thought I should live to see a Faversham play the coward.

  Harry Faversham : [after a pregnant pause]  May I go, sir?

  Colonel : Yes... Go.

  [Faversham gives a brisk salute, does an about face, leaves the room]