The Scarlet Pimpernel

source: The Scarlet Pimpernel

Hidden behind the nom de guerre of THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, an English lord attempts to snatch a few victims away from Robespierre's insatiable guillotine. The Scarlet Pimpernel, the French Revolution's greatest enemy, first came to life in a 1903 play by the Baroness Orczy and in her subsequent, and almost unreadable, 1905 novel. He was an immediate favorite with both the British & American public and found his finest translation to screen in this lavish movie from Sir Alexander Korda's London Films. It's interesting that the film actually became so popular, because there is very little action in it. It begins with an exciting rescue & escape from dangerous Paris, but then it settles in for lengthy dialogues in English parlors and ballrooms. Even the conclusion, with its confrontation between hero and villain, is civilized and bloodless. The bulk of the story is actually a melodrama enacted principally by a trio of characters: an English husband who believes his Parisian wife has betrayed the Gallic nobility he so loves, she frets that he has lost every scintilla of masculinity, and the French serpent in their midst plots to destroy their entire Eden. The reason the film clicks is because it is so very well written (celebrated American playwright Robert Sherwood worked on the script) and acted. Sensitive Leslie Howard is perfectly cast as courageous Sir Percy Blakeney, who must wear a double disguise, that of the Pimpernel to fool the French, and as a complete aristocratic ass to dupe his wife, Marguerite. She is played by the exotic Merle Oberon; the script allows her to do little more than look frightened or confused, but she does both very nicely. Raymond Massey is properly wicked as the sneering Chauvelin, Revolutionary ambassador and master spy, who desperately desires to capture the Pimpernel. In the large cast it's often a mite difficult to sort out who's who, but a few fine character actors particularly stand out: Nigel Bruce as a stout & pompous Prince of Wales, Bramwell Fletcher as a French priest aiding the Pimpernel, and Melville Cooper as George Romney, the celebrated portraitist, who has to endure a silly critique from Sir Percy. The Baroness Emmuska Magdalena Rosalia Marie Josepha Barbara Orczy (1865-1947) was a most prolific author with a list of books almost as lengthy as her name. Those wishing to follow the further clashes between Sir Percy and Chauvelin may do so in the many sequels, now mostly quite obscure, which she penned over the next several decades: I Will Repay (1906), The Elusive Pimpernel (1908), El Dorado (1913), Lord Tony's Wife (1917), The League Of The Scarlet Pimpernel (1919), The Triumph Of The Scarlet Pimpernel (1922), Sir Percy Hits Back (1927), Adventures Of The Scarlet Pimpernel (1929), The Way Of The Scarlet Pimpernel (1933), The Scarlet Pimpernel Looks At The World (1933), Child Of The Revolution (1933), Sir Percy Leads The Band (1936) and Mam'zelle Guillotine (1940). The scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) is a low spreading herb with a 5-peteled blossom that grows as a weed throughout Northern Europe. The flower closes at rain's approach and opens again with returning sunshine, hence giving rise to its being called 'the poor-man's weatherglass' or 'the shepherd's barometer.'

This movie is a good case where the hero knows his priorities. It's always honorable when heroic people are willing to risk their lives for the innocents. But too many otherwise supposedly rational role model heroes act as if, with the lives of their most beloved on the line, they wouldn't be there for them. Pardon me, i don't know about anyone else but this is the most love i'm willing to share. I contribute to the big causes but if the line is crossed and it gets personal, i stay personal until it is no longer personal. After all, this would be why societies adopted the concepts of police forces, governments, and laws in the first place, isn't it? And that, finally, is the moral of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel'.

Don't let the vintage dissuade you. Like the similarly aged 'Mutiny On The Bounty', 'Scarlet Pimpernel' is an excellent piece of work. Other contributors have explained in worthy detail the merits of this movie so I'll be brief. Leslie Howard is perfectly cast for the part. Not a handsome man in the way we might employ the term today, he nevertheless conveys a tremendous presence and authority despite so-often playing the buffoon. He gets excellent lines and delivers them with panache and timing that is simply a masterclass. I particularly like his seeming obsession with dress, especially cravats, to emphasise his foppish credentials. Other actors fit their roles to a nicety, but Howard is the man to both watch and hear. The way he shifts between his shallow persona and the shrewd and scheming alter-ego is wonderful to behold. He is like Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson combined. Filmed in Black & White, and with nice production values with regard to costume and location, this is a classic interpretation of a hero. Though its age now necessitates some sound-track repair. A re-mastering would be a blessing, though its lack of popularity make it unlikely. Easily the best Pimpernel and highly recommended.

"They seek him here, they seek him there, those Frenchies seek him everywhere..." He's the cunning English spy code-named Pimpernel: master of disguises, savior to guillotine-bound aristocrats during the French Revolution, and most likely to be found in London making as big an ass of himself as credulity will allow. No one (not even his wife) would ever suspect the idiotic Sir Percy Blakeney of being the leader of an underground network of anti-Republic rebels, and it's still a joy to watch Leslie Howard, in the title role, successfully negotiating the ruse under the disdainful noses of his enemies. Without the unexpected element of farce the whole thing would be just another dated exercise in derring-do and low adventure, but the Pimpernel's foppish alter ego makes him one of the more unique (and hilarious) heroes ever to grace the silver screen. The poetry is, by the way, Sir Percy's own: "Is he in heaven, or is he in hell, that damned elusive Pimpernel?" ("It has a certain something..." he tells a giggling audience of landed gentry, "which gives it a certain...something.")

LESLIE HOWARD and MERLE OBERON both shine in this thoroughly entertaining film classic about the man who was an effete British gentleman by day (Sir Percy) and a noble avenger who saved many of his countrymen from the guillotine. As the dandy, Leslie is an unmitigated delight, delivering some ripely amusing lines with great flair. And Merle Oberon is a vision of loveliness as his wife who almost gives his identity away before she realizes who he actually is. It's photographed in crisp B&W splendor with elegant costumes and settings and given a rich supporting cast of players including RAYMOND MASSEY as the Frenchman anxious to trap The Scarlet Pimpernell, NIGEL BRUCE, MELVILLE COOPER and many others. The brilliant script has many memorable lines, most of them given to Leslie Howard's character when he's playing the dandy seemingly oblivious to the hunt for the disguised Pimpernell. Especially riveting are the opening scenes depicting the ugly public executions during the French Revolution and the crowds that delighted in them. There's never a dull moment. Well worth watching and should give fans a new impression of just how great an actor LESLIE HOWARD actually was.

Leslie Howard is superb as the English fop, Sir Percy, who is in reality the dreaded Scarlet Pimpernel..... a man who rescues French nobility from the hands of Robespierre and his henchmen. Merle Oberon is also excellent (and beautiful) as his unknowing wife. Raymond Massey is memorable as the evil French goon, who tries everything to discover the identity of the pimpernel. Nigel Bruce is the Prince of Wales. Joan Gardner and Mabel Terry-Lewis play the rescued French women. Melville Cooper is the painter. Bramwell Fletcher is the priest, and Anthony Bushell has his best role as Oberon's friend. This is a gorgeous film, beautifully designed, filmed, and directed. All the actors are rock solid. The script is lightning fast and filled with wit and banter, including the famous "poem" that Howard recites several times. This may be the best piece of acting I've seen from Leslie Hoawrd. He is a total delight as the faux fop, mincing about and giving fashion tips while spouting bits of poetry. He's also having fun. Oberon is also excellent as the bewildered wife. She also gets several breathtaking closeups. And did anyone have as sinister a smile as Raymond Massey? Great film!

While I somewhat enjoyed this, I found one thing particularly fascinating. When I was watching Leslie Howard's very odd performance, I found myself comparing it to a much more recent film, "Party Monster" with Macaulay Culkin, the mannerisms, the way of speaking, just almost match up to a T. So having said that, the rest of the film is pretty much your typical parlor room drama. The acting is pretty much the hoary British uppercrust method, The costuming is way over done, there's some nice camera work. The story itself takes some getting used to, but I really liked the twists the story took once I got into it, and it's great twist ending was a real surprise. A pleasant enough time waster if you have the patience.

Leslie Howard is the movie. His take on the role is one of a kind. And to be honest I laughed the entire movie. His role as Percy is hysterical. Line after line is memorable. "Go and introduce him to everybody, if everybody is anybody." And his ability to change character instantaneously is done with remarkable precision. Watch as he approaches his wife, the stern man that stands for life, then changes to the laughable Percy only an inch from her face. He is fun to watch in this one. You must appreciate the energy that he must have put into this role. He should have won an academy award. This must be the best acting of his career if not for his role in "Gone with the Wind". The entire story line is perfect and there aren't many dead scenes. It's great entertainment from start to finish, with a classic ending on top of it all.

I got the DVD for only $1. I have heard of it, but this was the first chance to view it. It is typical of this genre. It was hard to follow the dialog and the plot. I will have to see it again to get the most out of it. You knew that in the last scene, the Pimpernel would win. At least they did not kill the Frenchmen, just threw him in the cellar. It is worth a six on the viewing scale. It says I need more lines. This was all I wanted to comment on it. Perhaps there may be more lines at another time. Thank you for the opportunity to express myself.