3 new releases have period style but little substance

There's something about a period piece that causes modern filmmakers to think "old-fashioned," as if they are attempting to channel a director from the 1930s or '40s. Not that that's a bad thing, but too often they only get it on the technical side; the films look great, but the heart of the story -- and of the characters -- seems to elude them.

Such is the case with three new DVD releases of movies made over the past three decades. Each recalls a bygone era, a different period in English history, and each could have been helped by a little more wit -- and certainly more action.

Each is also a bit dull and slow in the first half but gets better as it goes along. And, as is often the case with such modern-made movies, they seem to play better on television than they did in theaters.

-- "The Four Feathers" (Paramount, 2002, PG-13, $29.99). This umpteenth adaptation of the famous story by A.E.W. Mason casts Heath Ledger as the young British officer branded as a coward and kicked out of the army, only to redeem himself by going undercover to help his old regiment against an uprising in the Sudan.

Curiously, Ledger's performance improves as the film progresses. Or maybe that just seems to be the case because Kate Hudson is off the screen for most of the second half; she is poorly cast. Of the players, the standout is Djimon Hounsou as an African mercenary who links up with Ledger.

Technically, the film is often eye-popping, with the kind of scope and epic quality that we see all too seldom these days. (And if the story intrigues you enough, try renting the classic 1939 version, which has all the emotional impact this film lacks.)

Extras: Separate widescreen and full-frame editions, audio commentary, making-of documentaries, trailer, etc.

-- "Jane Eyre" (Miramax, 1996, PG, 19.99). This Charlotte Bronte story also has been the subject of many film versions (the 1944 Orson Welles-Joan Fontaine version is a favorite of mine). Here, Franco Zeffirelli is behind the camera, a filmmaker best known for his artful versions of Shakespeare ("Romeo and Juliet," "Taming of the Shrew," "Hamlet") and a fine TV miniseries on the life of Christ ("Jesus of Nazareth").

Here, Zeffirelli captures the period exquisitely but keeps the emotion on a leash as we follow Jane through childhood (Anna Paquin) and adulthood (Charlotte Gainsbourg), when fate suddenly throws her together with the tortured Mr. Rochester (William Hurt).

In some ways this is a curious, aloof version of what is really quite a passionate tale. The surprise is that although Hurt may seem oddly cast, he manages the most depth with a complex performance.

Extras: Widescreen, making-of documentary, trailer, etc.

-- "Lady Jane" (Paramount, 1986, PG-13, $19.99). This was the first of a string of corset-bound period films that would, to some degree, typecast Helena Bonham Carter for a decade or so. Here, the actress is 20 but easily passes for 15-year-old Lady Jane Grey, who is manipulated by her parents and future father-in-law to become heir to the kingdom, which they intend to corrupt for personal gain. As the young king lays dying, she is, against her will, married to the slovenly, drunken Guilford (Cary Elwes, looking quite young just one year before "The Princess Bride").

However, to their parents surprise -- and horror -- the teenage marrieds turn out to be good for each other and vow to use whatever power they gain to make a better world for the poor . . . which, tragically, results in their undoing. To say this film projects late- 20th-century values on 16th-century England is to understate.

The first half of this film takes forever to go nowhere, but things start to pick up during the second half. Unfortunately, the film is not served by its 141-minute length.

Look for "Star Trek's" Patrick Stewart, trying his best to add some complexity to a poorly written character, Jane's father.

Extras: Widescreen, photo gallery.

E-mail: hicks@desnews.com

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