A.E.W. Mason's 1902 novel "The Four Feathers" has been filmed several times. Certainly, this new Paramount/Miramax version directed by Shekhar Kapur is the most spectacular in terms of its combat scenes and pageantry. Filmed in the raw Moroccan desert, whose vistas, sandstorms and eerie skies envelop the tradition-bound Victorian soldiers, the production deserves the label of epic. But the movie leaves one unsettled.

Kapur tries to have it both ways in his portrait of 19th century British imperialism. Flinging itself impertinently against forces of nature and cultures it doesn't understand, the British military behaves both foolishly and bravely. Heath Ledger's Harry Feversham epitomizes the film's divided consciousness: He is a man filled with self-doubt and confusion over Britain's great purpose. Nevertheless, he does prove his courage and loyalty to friends with acts of incredible heroism fighting the "infidels."

A rousing if retro adventure film about soldiers and honor and brotherly love, "The Four Feathers" should appeal to a large male audience, while females may be drawn by the romantic triangle involving Kate Hudson, who anxiously awaits the return of two men back home.

That the Brits are ruthlessly carving up Muslim territory in the name of the Christian God and queen may give pause to some. While Kapur, himself a native of a land once rule by Britain, certainly challenges the values and certitudes of both the novel and previous films, he cannot avoid a certain ambivalence without completely overthrowing Mason's tale of British heroism. That ambivalence haunts the film.

The athleticism and eager playing of Ledger and fellow actors do bring alive once more this old tale of grace under extreme pressure.

The film, written by Michael Schiffer and Hossein Amini, opens in 1884. The regiment is about to ship out to Africa, where Gen. Gordon battles a revolt by Sudanese Arabs. Plagued by doubts and recently engaged to his fresh-faced love, Ethne (Hudson), Harry, a British officer and a general's son, abruptly resigns his commission. Fellow officers assume he lacks the guts to fight. His best friend, Jack (Wes Bentley), stands up for him, but three others send Harry white feathers -- symbols of cowardice and tokens of contempt. When Harry receives a fourth feather from Ethne, his resolve breaks.

Determined to redeem himself, Harry undertakes a perilous journey to join his comrades. Disguised as a bearded Arab, he joins the regiment as a virtual slave. Here he falls in with Abou Fatma (Djimon Hounsou), who acts as his guardian angel for the rest of the film. Following a few Arab spies from the British camp, Harry and Abou discover that the British fort has fallen and the Muslim leader means to trap his regiment. Only his old friends refuse to believe Abou, whom they beat rather than embrace. Their fate is sealed in an epic battle. Following the debacle and clutching his four feathers as a talisman, Harry pushes on to rescue the last of his comrades. His only chance of success lies with Abou, who must perform yet another miracle to aid the seemingly suicidal Englishman.

Contributing to the epic scope of the film are James Horner's elegant score, the superb handling of crowd and battle sequences and Ruth Myers' amazing array of costumes.