Customer Reviews

Scarlet Pimpernel: Book 1 [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This was the worst version of the Pimpernel I have ever seen. It had poor casting (the actors neither looked their part, or played it very well,) and the story line was nothing like the book. Percy wasn't charming and funny as he should be, Marguerite didn't seem to do her witty lines very well, and Chauvelin was too old and not sinister enough. For any fans of the book, play, or other movies I strongly suggest the 1982 version with Antony Andrews, Jane Seymore, and Sir Ian McKellen. that is the best one.

This is for my money the definitive Scarlet Pimpernel. Richard E Grant (now surely as famous for his turns as the witch hunter in Warlock & The Doctor in Dr. Who as for his time in Withnail and I) thrives in the role. Here is Richard having fun with the craft as never before; and this excitement and enthusiasm for the written word as well as the project shine in every scene. The chemistry between Chauvelin and our hero is well worth the visit. I was hooked from the first word and can't wait to see the other two products in this worthwhile enterprise.

The Scarlet Pimpernel was great! It's got romance, sword fights, and plenty of good laughs! Richard E. Grant did a fine job and was the perfect choice as Sir Percy Blakeney (aka the Scarlet Pimpernel)! Martin Shaw and Elizabeth McGovern were also wonderful. I have not heard of the book until I saw this on A&E. I was absolutely determines to read the book and so I did. I finished the entire book in one day! The movie, much to my surprise, was nowhere near the contents of the book, but still equally exciting and intriguing! How could you not love such a beautiful movie! I'm merely a 7th grader but is already a HUGE Scarlet Pimpernel fan! Watch this movie and two others that follow it and I guarantee you that you will feel the same way!

I personally thought that this Pimpernel was masterfully done and had a very good cast. Richard E.Grant's portrayal of Sir Percy was thoroughly good and devilishly clever, and Ms. McGovern's performance as Marguerite St. Just/Lady Blakeney was one of the best that I have seen. And as for Martin Shaw's performance as Paul Chauvelin, I absolutely loved him. So all in all it was and is a splendid adaptation.

"The Scarlet Pimpernel" is Baroness Orczy's best-known work, a delightful, swashbuckling period piece. It is *not* contemporary social commentary on the French Revolution; the book is as far from historical accuracy as this film is far from the book. But in the end it is not historicity, or even plot, which make both book and film so entertaining -- but character. Orczy created the first masked superhero when she created Percy Blakeney, and he has enduring appeal for many of the same reasons Clark Kent has: the contrast between man and hero is so great. This production was true to the book in tone only -- not in plot -- and moreover it loses Marguerite, so vital and vibrant in the book. She is reduced to the typical bit-part beauty. So the only reasons to watch it are for a delightful Percy Blakeney, and a delicious visual re-creation of the 18th century. However, that is quite enough to make it worth your while, if tone rather than plot is your interest.

A & E has a well deserved reputation for bringing classics to the screen. How utterly disappointing. The filmmakers obviously paid little attention to the characters' personalities, and tried to squeeze too many of the numerous Pimpernel stories into one film. There is no comparison to the 1935 version with Leslie Howard or to the more recent one with Anthony Andrews. Neither Grant nor McGovern match the physical descriptions of the characters. Grant was not foppish enough nor heroic enough in the dual role. McGovern, though attractive, could hardly be called "the most beautiful woman in Europe." There was no chemistry or sexual tension between them. Change the title, divest the lackluster love relationship of the main characters from the passion of Percy Blakeney and Marguerite St. Just, and you have an entertaining set of movies. But don't call it "The Scarlet Pimpernel."

i watched this over two nights and i thought this was great!and the comic relief did not hurt either.i originally had the movie with leslie howard init in beta once upon a time,and i would be hard pressed to pick a favorite.i thought how great it was to stick to the book,although when i looked up books i did not know that the baroness had written more than one scarlet book. i just ordered book two and cannot wait to get it. this movie was great because i did not get a chance to watch it on a&e.i thought mr.grant was a fine sir percy and ms. mcgovern was great as lady blakeney. the actress who played minette was terrific too,although sir percy figured out she was a double agent before i did.the story content was excellent,and as i've said before, i cannot wait to get book two.

Some of you disagree that it wasn't very good. I'm only 12. I have never read the book and really have no desire to. I saw the A&E version one night at home. I thought it was SO funny! I laughing so hard it was hard to breathe. I personaly have nothing against Elizabeth Mcgovern. She played her role, she could have done it a little better. The only real part she played in Percy's life was Paul's handle to the scarlet pimpernal. Percy was a bit stuck up to his wife but that i funny too. My mom had to tell me that percy was the scarlet pimpernal because I didn't make the connection myself. I also LOVE Percy's smile. It's intruiging. Overall, I thought it was great!

Maybe it wasn't supposed to , but this A&E version of the classic novel had me rolling in the aisles. Although I considered The Lady Blakeney an only mediocre choice, The Sir Percy was absolutely hilarious, and was obviously having "the time of his life". When you see an actor doing that, it's bound to make the whole thing better. Ok, so it's not really the Scrlet Pimpernel, but who cares? It has it's own charm. A fresh, clean, funny and endearing choice.

I really enjoyed the A and E version of the Scarlet Pimpernel. I have not read the novel, so I don't know how different it is. Grant was extroadinary--I could not believe he is the guy who was in Bram Stoker's Dracula! McGovern was so-so.