It featured Anthony Steel, Laurence Harvey, James Robertson Justice, Mary Ure, Ian Carmichael, Michael Hordern and Christopher Lee.

Harry Faversham, as a sensitive child, is terrified by his father and his Crimean War veteran friends relating tales of cowardice that often ended in suicide.

Harry resigns his commission on the eve of his regiment's departure, whereupon he receives a white feather (a symbol of cowardice) from three of his fellow officers and his fiancée.

Harry plays mute with the blind Durrance and guides him to British lines, then enters Omdurman to rescue his old friends.

The producer said he wanted to make films that were in colour and had big screen spectacle in order to entice audiences away from television.

[7] Filmink said "Steel isn't terribly convincing as a coward, but he has heroic dash suitable for the part – he completely suits the universe of the movie (as opposed to co-star Laurence Harvey who always seems to be "acting").