The Four Feathers (1939)

Frederick Culley: Dr. Sutton

Quotes 

• 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.

• General Burroughs : [At dinner, also Harry Fabersham's birthday]  Do you remember Wilmington?

  General Faversham : Wilmington?

  General Burroughs : Fine old service family. Father killed at Inkerman, grandfather blown up under Nelson, and an uncle scalped by Indians. Oh, splendid record, splendid!

  [Murmur of approval from guests] 

  General Faversham : What happened?

  General Burroughs : Well, the general ordered him to gallop through the lines with a message. Paralyzed with funk... couldn't move. General sends his adjutant... killed before he'd gone fifty yards. Sends his ADC... head blown off. Then he went through with the message himself... lost his arm. Ruined his cricket!

  General Faversham : Oh yes, I remember now. He disgraced his family.

  [Speaking coldly, glaring at his son, Harry] 

  General Faversham : His father disowned him. Hung about for a year or two then blew his brains out.

  Dr. Sutton : Ah! He had the courage to blow his brains out!

  General Faversham : Courage? Ha! The last part of decency, that's all.

  [Speaking coldly, glaring at his son, Harry] 

  General Faversham : There's no place in England for a coward.

• Dr. Sutton : You tell me you left the Army because your duty to your home was greater than your duty toward a crowd of African peasants. Well, there's nothing dishonorable in that, Harry. If that's all, if that's the whole truth, then these feathers are an insult to be treated with the contempt they deserve.