Anthony Andrews, Jane Seymour, Ian McKellen
4/5A thoroughly ripping yarn!
Most people are at least somewhat familiar with the Scarlet Pimpernel, the title character in an adventure novel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy about a mysterious Englishman who sets out to rescue French Aristocrats from the guillotine during the Reign of Terror.
The film (which combines two of Orczy's novels, 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' and 'Eldorado') centers around Sir Percival Blakeney Baronet, a foppish English Aristocrat who (during one of his constant visits to Paris) falls in love with Marguerite St. Just, a beautiful French Actress.
But Marguerite is sweetheart to the villainous Chauvelin, an Agent of the Comité who take particular joy in sending Aristocrats to the Guillotine.
Percy, of course, is none other than the elusive Scarlet Pimpernel...and while he loves Margarite he begins to fear her compliancy with Chauvlin in these 'judicial murders'.
Torn between love and duty he is determined to keep his identity a secret at all costs.
I had never read either book myself, and can't speak to it's faithfulness...but I was delighted by various intrigues, plots and counter-plots.
I admit that I had my doubts...at first glace it looks and feels a bit dated, but once you get into it the film is marvelous.
Mostly because it's different: fun, witty and with a keen sense of the absurd...though there are some decent bits of acting and drama.
For a TV movie it does quite well.
My only real complaint was that I had a difficult time suspending my disbelief over the plan to rescue the little Dauphin, Louis Charles (Louis XVII, after the execution of his father), from the Temple Prison. This plan is central to the plot, but as anyone familiar with period knows (and I hope I'm not spoiling things for anyone here) Louis-Charles died in prison, probably from tuberculosis.
However, rumors soon spread that Louis-Charles had been spirited away by royalists sympathizers. After the restoration of the monarchy there were over 100 'Lost-Dauphin' claimants.
So there's really no reason why the film shouldn't have tipped its hat to history, if only a little:
"Curses! The Scarlet Pimpernel has foiled our plans again...I know, let's put it about that the Dauphin has died so we don't look so damn foolish..."
Or something.
Apart from that the film was highly enjoyable. Anthony Andrews plays a terrific fop...though for the first half of the film you see so little of suave Pimpernel you're in danger of mistaking Sir Percival Blakeney for a complete buffoon (but I suppose that is rather the point).
A very young Ian Mckellen is suitably wicked (if a bit stiff) as Chauvelin, and while Jane Seymour is a tad light-weight in comparison to the male leads she is certainly beautiful enough to pull it off.
It's not high drama, but 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' is a thoroughly entertaining film!
DVD Worthy? Certainly (though unfortunately the transfer is not great and the film gets quite grainy and over-exposed in places).
Extras: None
Costumes: Not perfect, but very pretty. Overall the pallet is pleasant and very subdued...lots of pastels on the Aristocrats with the Revolutionaries in black. Only the spirited Marguerite gets away with the odd red or coral gown.
Nice frockcoats on the men in general. The ladies don't look too bad (though skirts are a bit weird) and Marguerite wears a charming traveling coat near the end.
The hair and makeup is very dated (Jane Seymour wears a lot of bronzed lipstick), but the large 80s hair works well for an 18th century piece and isn't too objectionable.
***
Costumes In Detail
*Additional Screen-Captures & Production Photos*
Costumes In Detail
*Additional Screen-Captures & Production Photos*
Marguerite's Theater Costumes
Marguerite's Coral Dress
Marguerite's White Dress
Marguerite's Wedding Gown
Marguerite's Garden Party Dress
Marguerite's Beige/Bisque Ball Gown
Marguerite's Traveling Coat
Percy's Disguises
And by Special Request...
The Fashion Duel
7 comments:
I probably watch this movie about once a year. My husband swears he doesn't care for the movie, but he ends up watching most of it with me every time. Then for days afterward, he'll walk around the house with his pinky in the air, saying "Sink me!" in a really bad English accent. I married a funny guy.
This is one of my favorite made-for-TV period movies. I also thoroughly enjoy watching Richard Chamberlain's "Man in the Iron Mask". Dated, yes, but still swashbuckling fun.
I really want to see this one. I've got the old one with Leslie Howard (who's perfect); in its own right splendid fun.
As far as accuracy - I've read the first book many times. The biggest change that this one makes is to make Marguerite Chauvelin's girlfriend. There is not a hint of such a thing in the book. Chauvelin was simply an old friend of hers from her earlier, slightly more revolutionary days. The musical is largely premised on this change as well; I'm not sure it's in the old movie, though. It bugs me because it seems such an easy way for Hollywood to add "romantic tension," whereas the book does an excellent job of highlighting Marguerite's struggle as is.
ANYWAY, I still want to see it. Thanks so much for doing this one!
"Sink me!" :D
It really is a charming film, and it works because it doesn't take itself too seriously.
Plus I love to watch movies that are just plain FUN.
I'm really curious about the book...maybe I'll pick it up for some Holiday reading.
Also, I want to compare it to the Leslie Howard version (about which I only hear good things) and the new BBC production (of which I hear the reverse).
One of my favorite period piece TV movies of all time. I've also seen the 1934 version with Leslie Howard and the one from the 90s with Richard Grant. They're okay, but this is my favorite version.
"They seek him here,
They seek him there.
Those demmed Frenchies seek him everywhere.
Is he in heaven?
Is he in hell?
That demmed elusive Pimpernel!"
I remember when it came out in 82' on tv. I so loved it. Anthony Andrews was so handsome and Jane Seymour so pretty. I just saw recently over the summer. I enjoyed it all over again. Thanks for sharing all those glorious pictures.
THANK YOU! Just what I wanted.
The novel is AMAZING (a personal fave)
I haven't read the others in the series.
And yes, this one majorly departs from the novel with the Dauphin, as does the Chauvelin/Marguerite/Percy triangle in it as well as in the stage show.
The stage show is great too btw. Lovely costumes from what I've seen in stills
P.S.- Thank you for a WONDERFUL page!
I work at a Renaissance Festival as well as at a pirate/18th century one and your page is definitely one I'm keeping for references!
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