Set during the French Revolution, the 1934 black-and-white film The Scarlet Pimpernel, starring Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon, is based on the 1905 book of the same name by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. The year is 1792, and the Reign of Terror in France is raging. The guillotine is wet with the blood of the country’s aristocrats as the people, drunk with unaccustomed power, watch the daily sport. Yet, there is hope among those imprisoned, awaiting their fate. A mysterious and dashing figure, known only as the Scarlet Pimpernel, uses disguises and trickery as well as the loyalty of the other members of his daring League to save as many as possible, whisking the refugees away to safety in England before the Republic can claim them. The family of the Count de Tournay is the latest to be rescued by the adventurer, although the Count himself was not as Robespierre, one of the historic leaders of the Republic, retained him for questioning right before the escape.

Back in England, the Scarlet Pimpernel, or Sir Percy Blakeney, continues his masquerade as a useless, foppish member of high society. Fashion consultant to the Prince of Wales, he is so effective at the charade that no one suspects his secret identity as he is known only by the members of the League. Even his beautiful French wife, Marguerite, is not aware he is the Pimpernel, although she admires the stories about him. While it is clear they still love each other deeply, the couple is estranged as a result of Percy believing she was responsible for the cruel deaths of the Marquis de St. Cyr and his family at the beginning of the Terror. He keeps an emotional distance between them, and she has learned to treat him with disdain.

Everything changes when the ambassador of the Republic, Monsieur Chauvelin – played by Raymond Massey – arrives in England with orders to discover the identity of the Pimpernel at all costs. Using his knowledge that Marguerite’s brother, Armand, is in the League, he blackmails her into helping him. Little does she know exactly whom she is supposed to betray when she attends the Prince’s ball and spies on her aristocratic circle.

But Chauvelin is no match for the Pimpernel! Percy will outwit him and continue his work with style and cunning while, at the same time, learning the truth about his beloved wife and reigniting their love.

those who appreciate both old-fashioned romance and adventure as well as silver screen acting at its finest. It is suitable for younger audiences, especially given its historically significant setting, although the language might be difficult for particularly young kids and many of the scenes are dialogue, and not action, driven.

Leslie Howard’s take on both Sir Percy and the Scarlet Pimpernel. He captures the essence of the devil-may-care adventurer as well as the deep sense of self-imposed responsibility to saving lives that is essential to this character. Howard is such a beautiful, subtle actor that he manages to get across a range of emotions, from his repressed love for Marguerite to his commitment to honor even at the cost of having others believe he is a worthless fool.

that some great scenes from the book were left out of the movie. As with any other screen adaptation of a written work, choices were made, and, in this case, unfortunately, a few of my favorites from the book, including the complete ending scene between the lovers, were cut.

reread the book again for the millionth time. It is one of my favorite works, and the film is so beautifully adapted that it just exudes the essence of Orczy’s writing.

tingly with the excitement of watching a rakish adventurer defy all odds in a battle against pure evil and the romance between two strong, well-matched individuals as they find their way back to each other despite misunderstandings.

like I was living the pages of a book that I adore. They mesmerize me. Leslie Howard, as I mentioned above, is both loveable in his mask as Sir Percy and strong in his role as the Pimpernel. Merle Oberon is utterly beautiful, but she also has an air of intelligence about her, which fits her character’s description as “the smartest woman in Europe.” Raymond Massey is so wonderful at creating characters you love to hate, and his Chauvelin is utterly devoid of compassion. Nigel Bruce, an excellent character actor, plays the clueless Prince of Wales to the hilt.

In an interesting side note, Leslie Howard played the lead in a WWII update of the same plot, entitled Pimpernel Smith.

it is such a perfect combination of adventure, romance, charismatic acting, and general entertainment.

it is not exactly like the book. However, as many of us have come to expect, screen versions typically are not. We can love them for other reasons! Also, it is, in general, not a film for those who do not appreciate classic movies.

I truly cannot describe how content this movie makes me. I have loved it for a very long time, and I would encourage others to give it a try, either for its own sake or as an example of 1930’s film. It will speak to the part of your heart that craves romance, in every sense of the word.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t leave you with Sir Percy Blakeney’s poem about his alter ego, the Pimpernel. It was the talk of London’s high society! And, as he states, he wrote it during the busiest part of his day – while tying his cravat!

“They seek him here, they seek him there,
Those Frenchies seek him everywhere.
Is he in heaven? Or is he in hell?
That demned elusive Pimpernel!”

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Created Jun 09, 2010 at 12:57am • Submit your own review...