Customer Reviews

The Scarlet Pimpernel

5 star:		(276)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

My sister has raved about this film for as long as I can remember. When I failed to find it in our local video store, she told me not to worry, as she had recently bought it and would lend it to me. Well, having now seen the film, I can understand why she raved about it. It is a vastly entertaining film, filled with a smattering of history, swashbuckling action, political intrigue, romance, and droll humor. Couple all this with some very good acting and direction, and one has a must-see period piece. It is historical fiction brought to life.

Based loosely upon the novels of Baroness Orczy, the Scarlet Pimpernel is the hero of beleaguered eighteenth century French aristocrats. The Scarlet Pimpernel dedicates himself to rescuing aristocrats that, in the Republic of the post-revolution era, are destined to lose their heads in the feeding frenzy engendered by the minions of Robespierre. Just who the Scarlet Pimpernel is, the French have not a clue, other than he is believed to be an Englishman. The viewer, however, is on the secret of his identity from the very beginning.

Anthony Andrews plays the extremely foppish dandy, Sir Percy Blakeney, who is about as blue blooded as one can be and live. He is also the wealthiest man in all of England. Given to amusing his fellow aristocrats with bons mots, he also devises entertaining rhyming couplets about the Scarlet Pimpernel. Speaking in a highly affected voice and sporting the latest in fashionable attire, Sir Percy is a seemingly unlikely action hero. Yet, it is he who rescues those who are destined to lose their heads to the dreaded guillotine. It is he who is the Scarlet Pimpernel.

Since the Scarlet Pimpernel is putting a crimp into the post-revolution blood bath, the feared Chauvelin (Ian McKellen), an ardent revolutionist and hatchet man for Robespierre, seeks to capture him. Chauvelin has a soft side, however, as he is profoundly in love with Marguerite St. Just (Jane Seymour), the premier actress of France and one of its most celebrated beauties. Unfortunately for him, however, Sir Percy has just met Marguerite and been smitten. When Sir Percy romantically woos and wins the heart of Marguerite, she consents to marry him, not knowing that he is the Scarlet Pimpernel. When she marries Sir Percy, Chauvelin stops at nothing to exact his revenge, and his actions eventually cause a rift in the marriage.

What happens to Sir Percy, Marguerite, and Chauvelin is well worth seeing. Anthony Andrews is utterly charming, romantic, and drolly funny in his dual role as the dandified fop/dashing action hero who is in love with the prettiest girl in town. Jane Seymour is perfect as the beautiful thespian who captures the heart of a wealthy aristocrat, only to find, in the end, that she has married a romantic hero. Ian McKellen is effective as the angst ridden Chauvelin, who has had his heart pierced by Cupid's arrow.

This is a wonderful film. Now, having seen it on video, I am eagerly awaiting its release on DVD, so as to add it to my personal collection. It is a film that one can enjoy watching again and again.

... It's not only a superb story; but it's full of scenes which are worth watching again and again for the pure enjoyment of the dialogue, acting, and scenery.

The Scarlet Pimpernel is an English noble who rescues French aristocrats from the murderous reign of terror Robespierre unleashed in France. In "real life" he is a dandified, seemingly idiotic and obsessively fastidious "wimp"; whom everyone regards as wholly incompetent (though incredibly rich); but actually he is a daring, dashing adventurer, incredibly intelligent man who might have been the fictional ancestral concept of Clark Kent and Superman.

Anthony Andrews is utterly magnificent in this film. His performance as Percy (The Scarlet Pimpernel)is flawless, and eclipses even the incredible beauty and acting of Jane Seymour, who is also superb in every manner. Ian McKellan is a great villain. The music is very good; the cinematography beautiful, and the story is non-stop action, romance, and adventure, as we see how this amazing character saves aristocrats and falls in love; as the plot moves towards his attempt to save the heir to the throne of France. He is so enjoyable to watch as the foppish Percy that the film contains humor as well as suspense, intrigue, and danger.

For some reason I've never read this novel; but I will surely do so; and frankly, from a pure enjoyment point of view, this is one of the best 25 or so films I've ever seen. I can't recommend it highly enough; and hope to find it on DVD someday. It's not only a film worth seeing; it's a film worth owning. Sink me; if that's not the truth.

This is stunning, spectacular film, full of adventure, intrigue, romance, espionage, beautiful sets, costumes, music, and *incredible* acting. I have watched it over and over and over, and I'm still not remotely tired of it. Anthony Andrews makes a splendid, heart-throbbingly heroic Pimpernel; he is at his chivalrous, romantic best in this role. The contrast between his fop mask and his true daring self are amazing; I adored the scene when he reveals his identity to Armand St. Just. His wooing of Marguerite in the beginning is wonderful (guys, take heed; this is how to win the girls!), and his struggle between his love and his loyalty to the league when he believes she's betrayed him makes me sniffle every time. Jane Seymore makes a wonderful Marguerite; her impulsiveness, her intelligence, her grace, her beauty, and her abiding adoration for Percy are completely beleivable. Sir Ian makes an excellant Chauvelin. Though this character was hardly recognisable as the book's Chauvelin, I thought every last change was an improvement. This Chauvelin was far more multi-dimensional; his hatred for Percy made sense when the love triangle was added. In fact, I felt very sorry for him when he is so humiliated in the last scene; it was less than he deserved, even if he did try to kill Percy. But his love for Marguerite and his slow corruption added an interesting side-plot.

With lots of derring-do, chivalry, humor, excellent fencing and a few pretty good kisses, this it truly a movie for everyone (I repeat, *everyone*, not just girls) to see. So haul yourself away from the computer this instant and go rent it!

This is definitely a wonderful film, as evidenced by its popularity. Unfortunately, Artisan Entertainment has decided to remove it from print! (Gasp!) If you'd like to see it available again, particularly if you'd like to see it released on DVD, please send an email to the nice folks at Artisan Entertainment (orders@artisanent.com) indicating as much. Or call them toll free at 1-877-848-3865. Please specify that you want the 1982 version with Andrews and Seymour. Many requests may be needed to accomplish this objective. Thanks.

Wonderful British made-for-television production of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel,' the 18th century version of Clark Kent/Superman. A glorious production with a great cast: Jane Seymour (who has never looked more ravishingly beautiful and buxom), Anthony Andrews and Ian McKellen (Lord of the Rings).

Sir Percy Blakeney (Anthony Andrews), stars as the Scarlet Pimpernal, a British nobleman masquerading in revolutionary France as a harmless British fop as he secretly works at rescuing unjustly imprisoned French aristocracy from beheading.

Production values are second to none and as most British production go, the acting is superb. If you love period pieces, or hobnobing with the rich and famous you'll love it!

Good news. The Anthony Andrews version WILL be released on DVD later this year. I don't have a release date yet, but I am sure the company that is organising the US release, Image Entertainment, will give it plenty of promotion nearer the time.

Regards

Andrew Luff
London Films

I, like many others, first saw this film in a high school class (12 years ago!) and have been hooked ever since. Anthony Andrews is fabulous as Percy. Why he never became a bigger star is one of the more troubling mysteries of the last century. He OWNS this role. No one can touch him! Jane Seymour and Sir Ian Mckellan give superb performances, as well. Because this film has not been widely distributed, I used to think I was the only one who counted it as a favorite, but I now know I'm not alone. It is wonderfully charming, witty, romantic and just plain fun. If more people knew about it, I'm sure it would be as widely beloved as other classic family films such as "The Sound of Music" and "It's A Wonderful Life". Yes, it really is THAT good.

Sir Percy Blakeney was never more endearing, Marguerite never more deserving of envy than in here. Chauvelin is inimitable, Dewhurst is at his most polished, Andrew is funny - and watch out for excellent performances by a sporting Prince Regent, a perfectly-cast Baron de Batz and an inscrutable Robespierre! This is one of the best screen adaptations of any book I ever saw in my entire life (the other one was Ivanhoe, 1982, also starring Anthony Andrews - a coincidence - or not?). What gives it an edge is that although it is based on two books, as you might know from the reviews above - 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' and 'Eldorado', it is so cleverly scripted that one who has read both books can hardly tell the joins, even though one knows where they are - the plot, while remaining as faithful as possible to both books, follows both storylines at the same time. If you've watched the musical, you can tell that it was based more on this show than on the book. I never really noticed Anthony Andrews all through Ivanhoe due to my favourite character in that book being Maurice rather than Wilfred, but this show really brings his ability to the fore, and everyone else's too. It is my opinion that everyone was superbly cast - and acted superbly, too - and though the Chauvelin in this show is not very faithful to the one in the book, it may be an object of some interest to some that he is rather faithful to the *real* Chauvelin - the historical one. In the show it appears that Marguerite addresses him as 'Paul', though, but his real name was Francois-Bernard. I enjoyed the historical accuracy And the joke about Louis Saint-Just was most sink-me-ably apt, if nothing else. And why complain about Percy's accent? It's perfect!

Hopefully "The Scarlet Pimpernel" will someday make its way back to the big screen, but in the meantime this television version holds the place as probably the best one to date. First and foremost, the script never has a dull moment, as it's jam-packed full of romance, intrigue, suspense, and adventure. The action continuously bounces back and forth between England and revolutionary France, where the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel is saving innocent lives from the cruel blade of Madame Guillotine. Anthony Andrews, as foppish Sir Percy Blakeney, an English aristocrat with a big secret, never fails to deliver. His droll, dry delivery of Percy's lines contrasts brilliantly with his dashing Pimpernel persona. Jane Seymour is a perfectly lovely Marguerite, entirely believeable as a spirited French actress caught between her loyalties. And Sir Ian McKellen is delightfully menacing as Citizen Paul Chauvelin, an agent of the French Republic and Marguerite's spurned lover. The plot is fast-paced, and every scene is as well done as the one before. It is truly a classic to be treasured. Unfortunately, the DVD is only a basic transfer and has no bonus material, but at least it's finally getting its due!

I remember watching this as a little girl with my mom and enjoying the romance and the silly man with the accent. Years later I mentioned what I remembered of the story to mom and she told me what the title was so I picked it up out of nostalgia. And what a great idea that was!
This has become one of my absolute favorite movies off all time. What could possibly ever beat a movie with the great catch phrase "They seek him here, they seek him there, those Frenchies seek him everywhere..."? Anthony Andrews is perfect as the Pimpernel, saving aristocrats condemned to the guillotine by the Republic during the French revolution. He is so convincing in his role as a foppish aristocrat that you are actually disgusted by him at times. And he's also great in the swashbuckling half of his persona - serious, intelligent, handsome and mysterious - the best romantic hero! Jane Seymour also gives a great performance as Margeurite. She manages to portray the naivete of her character as well as her total devotion to her husband that soon turns to disappointment and the desperation that leads to her mistakes.
One thing, though, is that this isn't true to the novels originally written by Baroness Orczy. I watched the movie first so didn't mind, but if you only want to see it because the book grabbed your attention, make sure you are prepared for creative licence!