Sadly Over-hyped

Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

This is the first and the best swashbuckling vintage (1939) produced by London Films and directed by Harold Young with Leslie Howard and Leslie Caron . Adventures based on Baroness Orczy's famous novels with screenplay by the usual Lajos Biró about wealthy Chamaleon man , an 18th century English aristocrat who leads a double life , Leslie Howard plays perfectly Sir Percy Blakeney , as he is not the fool he seems and confounds the French revolutionaries ; indeed , he masquerades as the daring adventurer , the soldier of fortune and rescuer of those persecuted by the French Revolution and the guillotines and only one man who is seemingly able to save them . Exciting exploits set on the Reign of Terror with Sir Percy Blackeney , a humble wayside flower , who married the lovely stage actress Marguerite , Leslie Caron , and appears to be merely the effete aristocrat against a sinister Chauvelin , Raymond Massey , while the French Republicans seek him , there and everywhere . This is one of the innumerable versions of the much-filmed adventure classic with the immortal hero named Scarlet pimpernel whose true identity is known only to a very few, and again the English aristocrat engaged in the underground effort to snatch out from under the blade of the guillotine Frenchmen caught in the Reign of Terror (1792) . This time the terrible Committee of Public Safety assigns to Chauvelin the mission to track down Pimpernel in England . As Chauvelin (ideal baddie cast Massey) travels towards England where resides Percy and his wife who was once involved with Chauvelin . The astute Chauvelin attempts to discover the rogue's identity and involve Percy's French wife in his scheme , and will use any means, including threats to Marguerite , furthermore is plotting to win back his previous love . Pimpernel returns to Paris and then Sir Percy hides his activities under various guises . Pimpernel heads to France to save aristos from the clutches of guillotine . Then Marguerite gets trapped , so she needs to be freed . His ruse may throw off the French authorities but the elusive Pimpernel is also attempting to free his wife , though he is suddenly caught by Chauvelin.Leslie Howard plays it to perfection , fitting the role like elegant glove , he does a dashing hero leading several characters and posing as an officer , pauper old woman or revolutionary . Leslie match up efficiently to the popular conception of the Pimpernel who remains the archetypal acting , catching exactly the false foppishness as well as the mythical qualities which make the personage seem so invincible . It packs luxurious scenarios , beautiful gowns , and good acting from main and secondary cast . In the film appears historical characters as Prince of Wales , Saint Just , and Robespierre and is developed an exciting intrigue . This big-budgeted production results to be a good adaptation with spectacular production design , 18th Century costumes , intrigue , damsels in disgrace , nice scenarios and the impressive sets , too , are superb . Stellar cast plenty of prestigious actors as Raymond Massey , Merle Oberon , Anthony Bushell , Walter Rilla and the sympathetic Nigel Bruce , immortal Watson . Atmospheric musical compositions by the classic Arthur Benjamin and evocative cinematography in dated black and white by Harold Rosson . Spectacular Set Decoration and settings by Vincent Korda , Alexander's brother . This one being stunningly directed by Harold Young and lavishly produced by Alexander Korda and his London Film Productions .Other versions about the supposed dandy of the English court who assumes the identity of foppish Sir Percy in order to outwit the French republicans and aid innocent aristocrats and based on classic novels by Baroness Orczy are the following : First silent version (1923) titled I Will Repay by Henry Kolker ; The Elusive Pimpernel (1950) by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger with David Niven , Cryl Cusack and Margaret Leighton and TV series (1999) by Patrick Lau with Richard E Grant and Elizabeth McGovern and another series (1955) starred by Marius Goring as Sir Percy , and Scarlet Pimpernel (1982) (TV) is almost as good as the classic rendition , being made by Clive Donner with Anthony Andrews , Jane Seymour and Ian McKellen as his nemesis Chauvelin, the head of state security.

I just finished watching it on TV, it was shown minus the commercials too, so that was excellent.The film is so incredibly real. Although it is black and white, this is the closest thing you are going to get to that period of time. More so than most modern period pieces, I feel. Most modern period pieces are so full of special effects, unbelievable characters and situations that push the boundaries of suspension of belief too far, and most importantly, often overlong running times, that you do not find yourself engrossed in the film as much as you should.This is not the case here. Oh, by golly no! When you see this film, you not only behold spectacles of rich and of splendour, of dense halls, candlelit niches of magic in all it's purest...foggy waters, great barges, and damp cabins that force you to breath in the salty winds of the sea. Oh no, you go back in time. You go on a highly pleasant outing back in time to dwell for a little while--in the realm of dreams.

120: The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934) - released 12/23/34, viewed 9/25/08.DOUG: From the makers of 'The Private Life of Henry VIII,' our next entry is 'The Scarlet Pimpernel.' Leslie Howard (from 'Of Human Bondage' previously and 'Gone With the Wind' eventually) plays Sir Percy Blakely, a seemingly empty-headed aristocrat who secretly works the underground as the Scarlet Pimpernel, helping innocents out of France during the revolution. Pimpernel is kind of a super-hero identity, although he has no costumed persona, but he does have a logo (the titular flower), and many disguises. He's something of a French version of Zorro, minus the sword. About that: Call me ignorant, but I always thought Orczy's original story for Pimpernel was a swashbuckler; I'm pretty sure other versions have actual swordplay. But there is not a sword to be seen here; Blakely's weapon of choice appears to be the eyeglass. The movie yields a good performance from Howard, who works Blakeny's act nicely between underground vigilante and witless fop. Oberon is especially good as Marguerite, the wife who can't stand her seemingly clueless husband but admires the courage of the mysterious Pimpernel. Even without the action, this is a capable suspense yarn set in the backdrop of revolutionary France, with some very good performances and compelling twists and turns.KEVIN: I am happy to see that Leslie Howard is not always as bland as he was in 'Of Human Bondage.' In many ways, 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' is a superhero story, which is probably why it's one of my favorites of the year, up there with 'The Count of Monte Cristo.' The Pimpernel may not have a costume, but he does have a superhero symbol and a host of disguises. Characters like Batman and Iron Man stole the idea of a wealthy aristocrat who utilizes his wealth and resources to aid those in need. But in a totally not-made-up twist, it turns out to be the aristocracy rather than the peasantry that is persecuted under the Reign of Terror. There's also the old crime-fighter trope of the hero assuming the boorish fop persona to throw off suspicion, which in a way gives the hero the chance to be as memorably crazy as the villains. Although it makes for some of the best scenes in the film, I wondered if it was really necessary for Blakeney to maintain his foppishness around the woman he married. Which brings us to the awesome Merle Oberon as Lady Blakeney. She has nearly as much screen time as Howard. It's her story just as much as his, if not more so. Raymond Massey, looking like Paul Muni by way of Boris Karloff, chews memorable amounts of scenery as the dastardly Chauvelin, tasked with uncovering the Pimpernel's true identity. Although the film restoration leaves much to be desired, I would highly recommend this to fans of the book, of lavish adventures in general, and of both Howard and Oberon.Last film: Bright Eyes (1934). Next film viewed: The Crowd (1928). Next film chronologically: Bride of Frankenstein (1935).

I caught this movie the other day on Film Four and was pleasantly surprised I was expecting a rather dated swashbuckler but it comes across as more of a character piece. In fact there's not a great deal of action through out the movie apart from a chase at the beginning and a small burst of action at the end. The film chooses to focus instead on the intrigue aspect of the Scarlet Pimpernel, his relationship with his friends, the masquerade he must maintain and how he deals with the possibility his wife may be a traitor.Both Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon are superb as is Nigel Bruce (who you may remember as Watson from the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Solmes B-movies of the 40's). The badies fare equally as well Raymon Massey's Citizen Chauvlin comes across as a despicable and unscrupulous adversary for Sir Percy Blakney to match wits with. The period settings are well realised, costumes and backgrounds are sumptuous. Although it has to be said depending on your point of view the politics of the film could be viewed as morally dubious (after all should we be siding with the aristocracy who were living in luxury while the common people starved?). There is also a little overacting in places for my liking but this was the style of the time and the plot does drag in places in the middle section of the film.Overall I enjoyed the film and would recommend it to most people not adverse to the older style of film making. 7/10