In late 19th-century England, a young officer resigns from his regiment just as it's about to be dispatched to Sudan to battle the Mahdist rebels. His action is seen as cowardice by his three close friends and his fiancée, who each send him a white feather, a symbol of cowardice. Devastated by this judgment and the loss of honor, he decides to redeem himself in the eyes of those he loves. Without revealing his plans to anyone, he departs for Sudan, embarking on a dangerous journey to prove his courage.

Once in Sudan, he goes undercover, disguising himself as an Arab. In this guise, he experiences the trials and tribulations of the desert, faces the enemy, and learns of a Mahdist plot to ambush his former regiment. As he endeavors to warn them, he demonstrates immense bravery and loyalty to his country and friends. Throughout his journey, he is driven by the hope of restoring his honor and erasing the stigma of the white feathers. His quest is fraught with danger, betrayal, and challenges that test his physical and moral limits.