''The Four Feathers'' - 1939 - art by Anselmo Ballester

by Movie World Posters

Title

''The Four Feathers'' - 1939 - art by Anselmo Ballester

Artist

Movie World Posters

Medium

Mixed Media - Photograph

Description

A vintage movie poster of ''The Four Feathers'', a 1939 British adventure film directed by Zoltan Korda. This film is known for its epic storytelling, exotic locations, and its exploration of themes related to courage, honor, and loyalty in the face of adversity.

The story is set in the late 19th century during the British Empire's military campaigns in the Sudan. It follows the journey of Harry Faversham (played by John Clements), a young British officer who resigns from his regiment just before they are deployed to battle. His decision is met with scorn and ridicule from his comrades, who send him white feathers as a symbol of cowardice. In response, Harry sets out on a dangerous mission to redeem himself and prove his bravery.

"The Four Feathers" is characterized by its sweeping cinematography and epic battle sequences, including the recreation of historical events such as the Battle of Omdurman. The film immerses viewers in the harsh desert landscapes of Sudan and captures the scale and intensity of military campaigns during the era.

John Clements delivers a compelling performance as Harry Faversham, portraying his character's internal struggle and determination to regain his honor. The film also features strong supporting performances by Ralph Richardson and C. Aubrey Smith.

The film explores themes of courage, honor, and the bonds of friendship among soldiers. It raises questions about the expectations placed on individuals in times of war and the personal sacrifices they are willing to make.

While "The Four Feathers" has been adapted for the screen multiple times, the 1939 version remains a significant work for its grandeur and its examination of the human qualities that define heroism.

In conclusion, "The Four Feathers" is a 1939 British adventure film directed by Zoltan Korda, celebrated for its epic storytelling, impressive cinematography, and its exploration of themes related to courage, honor, and loyalty in the context of the British Empire's military campaigns in Sudan. It is a classic representation of adventure cinema with a focus on personal redemption and bravery.

About the artist:

Anselmo Ballester (1897–1974) was a noted Italian painter and film poster designer from Rome. He was the son of Federico Ballester (Rome, 1868–1926), a painter of Spanish origins. Inspired by his father's artistic endeavors growing up, Anselmo completed his first works at 15.

After attending the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, he specialized in film advertising for the most important silent film production houses. He created posters and other advertising material for CINES, Caesar Film, and numerous other studios.

In his studio in Rome, via della Croce 50a (then via della Passeggiata Ripetta 19), he spent almost 50 years creating thousands of sketches for playbills and paintings for film posters. He went on to form the design company BCM along with two other prominent Italian poster artists, Alfredo Capitani and Luigi Martinati

The movie posters Ballester created between the 1930s and 1950s showcased his unique painting style using tempera medium and bold colors. They typically featured one or two significant characters. His style is reminiscent of pulp fiction covers and, like the best cinema advertisements, were infused with intrigue, conflict, and passion. His works were uncomplicated yet rich in detail, a techniqe and style he himself describes:

"To become a creator of film posters ... it is necessary to study passionately, always to draw and paint everything from the truth. Then you can let your imagination run free. Whether you are creating a work of art, or a more humble advertising poster, you must be able to attract the interest of the public, to satisfy both the most refined people and the roughest, who are the majority."

From a stylistic and compositional point of view, Alfredo Ballester began by drawing inspiration from the advertising posters of Art Nouveau, and then he defined his personal code. The painter exhibited a common layout in his movie posters: the actor or actress beautifully portrayed in the foreground, and one or two scenes from the film in the background.

To achieve this result, he used a methodical technique, making numerous sketches of the project only after having the best two selected by the client, he devoted himself to the final painting, strictly handmade.

Ballester's color palette, however, was his greatest talent. The artist used colors expressively, as a tool to convey emotions. The portraits of the stars were extremely realistic but often colored with unnatural hues such as pinks or intense light blues. Ballester illustrated his characters with colors capable of conveying the range of feelings transmitted by the film.

He was written about in "Anselmo Ballester: the Origins of the Film Poster," published by the University of Parma, Study Center and Communication Archive in 1981. In addition, Dave Kerr made extensive use of his images in his 2003 book, "Italian Film Posters, "published by The Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Permanent collections of his work are displayed at the University of Parma, Communication Studies Center and Archive (CSAC) and the Cinema Museum in Brush, Montecosaro.

To see more of his posters search by his last name.

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August 1st, 2021

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