During the French Revolution, an Englishman known as the Scarlet Pimpernel is rescuing French aristocrats from the guillotine. The Scarlet Pimpernel is actually British aristocrat Sir Percy Blakeney (Andrews) and his friends, who use careful planning and makeup to deceive the French. Blakeney plays the fool to avoid suspicion.
The French leaders, under Robespierre (Morant), want to catch and destroy the Scarlet Pimpernel. Robespierre orders Paul Chauvelin (McKellen) to find the Pimpernel. Chauvelin wants to use this task to solidify his position of power. Chauvelin is dating actress Marguerite St. Just (Seymour), who also catches Blakeney's eye. Blakeney reveals his true identity to Marguertie's brother, Armand St. Just (Jamieson), and asks him to work undercover to spy for the Pimpernel.
Can Blakeney maintain the charade while he falls for and courts Marguerite, and still stay a step ahead of Chauvelin?
This film is based on Baroness Orczy's novels "The Scarlet Pimpernel" and "Eldorado". Orczy wrote 15 novels about the Scarlet Pimpernel over the course of 30+ years. The first novel in the series, "The Scarlet Pimpernel", was written in 1905. "Eldorado" is the 4th book in the series and was written in 1913. Both books serve as the story for most film / TV versions of the Scarlet Pimpernel.
Filmmakers started adapting the stories to film in 1919 with The Elusive Pimpernel (based on the novel of the same name). The first novel was adapted to film in 1934, The Scarlet Pimpernel, under the direction of Harold Young and starring Leslie Howard as the title character.
I was first introduced to the character of the Scarlet Pimpernel through the 1997 Broadway show "The Scarlet Pimpernel", starring Douglas Sills. The show was nominated for 3 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical.
A dear friend recommended this film, which she claimed was the best version of the Scarlet Pimpernel. I had reservations when the film began, but they quickly disappeared. The story, written by William Bast, is great and keeps the action and plot moving forward and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The setting and costumes are great, particularly the gowns worn by Jane Seymour's Marguerite. The duel at the end is also well-done.
The cast is also wonderful. Anthony Andrews is superb as Percy. He captures your attention / fascination from the beginning and makes it look easy to alternate between Sir Percy Blakeney's personas: diving headfirst into playing the fool or seriously tackling the next obstacle. He is funny and charming and you understand why his friends are willing to risk their lives and follow him. Ian McKellen is a great choice for Paul Chauvelin. He is passionate and menacing. Jane Seymour doesn't get to have as much fun as her male co-stars, but she is good in the role.
I highly recommend this film, which gets better with each viewing.
The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982) 142 minutes
Director: Clive Donner
Starring: Anthony Andrews as Sir Percy Blakeney / The Scarlet Pimpernel
Jane Seymour as Marguerite St. Just
Ian McKellen as Paul Chauvelin
James Villiers as Baron de Batz
Malcolm Jamieson as Armand St. Just
Eleanor David as Louise
Richard Morant as Robespierre
Dominic Jephcott as Sir Andrew Ffoulkes
Christopher Villiers as Lord Anthony Dewhurst
Denis Lill as Count de Tournay
Ann Firbank as Countess de Tournay
Tracey Childs as Suzanne de Tournay
Julian Fellowes Prince of Wales
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