The Scarlet Pimpernel Review Minute by Minute Movie 1934
"We Seek Him Here..."
And those "Frenchies" sought him everywhere.
Leslie Howard probably was the beginning British phase star who became a genuine Hollywood star equally well. We tend to think of Ronald Colman, his elegant contemporary, but Colman never had the great stage career Howard did, and never made films in England - he worked (for Samuel Goldwyn mostly) in Hollywood. Howard conquered English cinema, virtually notably in PYGMALION (which he co-directed) and this motion picture. His ability to play a romantic figure like Percy Blakeney and a Shavian chief character like Henry Higgins shows his amazing talent. By 1935 he had been in several films opposite Frederic March and Norma Shearer (SMILIN' THROUGH), Mary Pickford (SECRETS), Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart (THE PETRIFIED Wood), Davis and Olivia de Haviland (IT'S LOVE I'M Subsequently), and Bogart and Joan Blondell (STAND-By). He continued in this style, somewhen beingness in Ingrid Bergman's beginning American movie (INTERMEZZO), and in GONE WITH THE WIND as Ashley. For an role player who died tragically prematurely in World War II, Howard left an impressive picture record.
Sir Percy Blakeney must have become a favorite office to Howard. He was to make it the basis for a final spy comedy-thriller (his last role) PIMPERNELL SMITH, bringing the character upwards-to-date (taking on the Nazis led by Francis Sullivan as a "Goering" clone). But the original is the better movie, as in that location is a real endeavor to capture the spirit of the 1790s, the stirrings of Regency England. The scenery looks a fiddling forced, but information technology is washed consciously to capture the London of 1793.
There are slightly jarring effects (inevitable in any historical movie). Nigel Bruce captures the triviality of the Prince of Wales (the future George Iv), although he does strike the proper note in explaining the difficulties of attempting to rescue French political prisoners and aristocrats. But his Scottish burr is noticeable. Merle Oberon does well as the heroine, cruelly twisted into helping the French (via the insufferable Chauvin, played by Raymond Massey) into betraying aristocrats to the guilloutine. Her willingness to spy for the Frenchman based on his threatening to execute her brother for treason. Just after does she accidentally realize that her noodle-headed husband is the man she is ultimately forced into betraying.
Massey played mostly villains at this point in his career, except in THINGS TO COME. Still, he was to soon make a "favorable" transition, by starring on stage and in the film of ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS. His plow every bit the psychotic John Brown in SANTE FE TRAIL as well changed his movie personae - as he shows that his psychosis is based on a genuine want to end slavery, every bit opposed to the opportunistic greed of his betrayer Van Heflin. Here his Chauvin is pompous and deadly. Not a nice character at all. But he has moments to shine: When he hears Blakeney'southward idiotic verses about the Pimpernell, he is doing a repose dull burn and says, "I especially similar that use of the term "Frenchies"!". When he hears Oberon bemoaning the deaths her testimony (which he forced her to requite) caused in the French courts, he all of a sudden makes a comment likewise often forgotten in movies about the French Revolution: "Why is it that everyone is always bemoaning the fate of the poor aristocrats? Don't people ever remember what they did to us?!" Even Chauvin and Robespierre had some points to bring up.
Howard's gleeful performance is the anchor for it all. As clever and watchful a spy as 1 imagines, instantly dropping the seriousness to play the fool. Look at how he keeps bringing up the proper tying of cravats, or his miscalling the apoplectic Colonel Winterbottom "Ramsbottom". Wonderful stuff Sir Percy. Wonderful movie withal.
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Stalking The Elusive Pimpernel
Hidden backside the nom de guerre of THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, an English lord attempts to snatch a few victims away from Robespierre'south insatiable guillotine.
The Scarlet Pimpernel, the French Revolution'due south greatest enemy, showtime 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 picture show from Sir Alexander Korda'southward London Films.
It's interesting that the picture show actually became and so pop, considering in that location is very footling action in information technology. Information technology begins with an exciting rescue & escape from dangerous Paris, but and then it settles in for lengthy dialogues in English parlors and ballrooms. Fifty-fifty the decision, 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 hubby who believes his Parisian wife has betrayed the Gallic dignity he and 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 considering it is and 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 picayune more 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 badly desires to capture the Pimpernel.
In the large cast information technology's often a mite difficult to sort out who's who, simply a few fine grapheme actors particularly stand out: Nigel Bruce equally a stout & pompous Prince of Wales, Bramwell Fletcher equally a French priest aiding the Pimpernel, and Melville Cooper as George Romney, the celebrated portraitist, who has to endure a dizzy 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 every bit lengthy as her name. Those wishing to follow the farther clashes between Sir Percy and Chauvelin may do so in the many sequels, at present mostly quite obscure, which she penned over the next several decades: I Volition 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 Manner 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 blossom closes at rain'south approach and opens again with returning sunshine, hence giving rise to its existence called 'the poor-man's weatherglass' or 'the shepherd's barometer.'
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Script and star make a close-to-perfect 'Pimpernel'
To date, I've seen three "Scarlet Pimpernels" from three different eras, but the more I see this i, the more I appreciate it for the economical little masterpiece that it is. Iii years ago, when I reviewed Powell & Pressburger'south "Elusive Pimpernel", I dismissed its predecessor equally a 'dated flow piece' remarkable simply for Leslie Howard's performance; watching it over again now I'd hedge no bets in proverb that it excels above its successor in most every way.
From the very starting time, long before the hero appears, it'due south evident that nosotros are in for a treat. The reason? Above all, the script.
Necessary establishing information -- the Pimpernel's name and fame, the Revolution, the land of the Blakeneys' matrimony -- is conveyed apace and naturally in a few pertinent phrases hither and there, without whatsoever need for static exposition. A vein of wry sense of humor runs through well-nigh every scene, from the Prince'south opening confidence that all the excesses of the Terror can be explained abroad past Johnny Greenhorn's lack of sporting spirit -- "why, if it weren't for play a trick on-hunting and pheasant-shooting, nosotros might be cruel besides!" -- to Sir Percy's sleepy quip when his wife implores him to rising above trivialities for once ("Can't ascent above anything longer than three syllables, m'beloved -- never could") and the cheerful double significant of his bearded assurances to a Frenchman reviling 'perfidious Albion': ''It won't have *us* long to cantankerous the Channel, eh boys?'' Simply wordplay is also used to poignant event, equally when he tells Marguerite, estranged from her husband simply bedazzled by the romantic prototype of the unknown Crimson Pimpernel, "For all you know, he'southward a hubby deeply in love with his married woman..."
If the script is witty, humane and on occasion impassioned, information technology owes a great deal likewise to the nuanced delivery of the cast. Nigel Bruce far outshines his bumbling Watson of later years in the pat of the pompous and preening only not entirely stupid Prince-Regenthoped-for; Raymond Massey's Chauvelin is intelligent equally well every bit menacing, despite an accent that strays periodically and disconcertingly across the Atlantic from France, plus the necessary abbreviation of the plot for cinematic purposes; Merle Oberon, no raving beauty to today's taste, provides all the resourcefulness and heartbreak one could inquire for, playing proud, neglected Marguerite -- one can hands credit her every bit Orczy'southward 'cleverest adult female in Europe'.
Just casting Leslie Howard in the dual championship role was a simple stroke of genius. His tall figure and bony beak of a face serve perfectly both as the languid Sir Percy, setting off a series of immaculately-plumbing equipment 'unmentionables', and as the commanding, quick-thinking Pimpernel; and the scene in which he drops from one persona to the other almost in mid-judgement upon the entry of the irate Colonel Winterbottom is a joy to watch. He is absolutely convincing every bit the "spineless, brainless and useless" fop, and notwithstanding he tin shade intelligence and feeling dorsum into his features at the drib of a lid in unconcealed moments that never let the audience forget the man behind the mask. His scenes with Merle Oberon as Marguerite are joint masterpieces of brittle drawing-room comedy with an undertow of unhappiness that convinces us of the one-time passion betwixt them, alluded to simply never shown.
Blakeney, of grade, gets all the best lines, and Leslie Howard makes the most of them, mocking with exquisite insolence in his guise as licensed fool. But perhaps the tertiary factor that really makes this film is the richness of those background moments when the starring characters are not there. The secure pomp of England epitomised in the opening shots of the changing of the guard; the revolutionary barber stropping his blade with eagerness at the thought of aristocrats' throats; the 'tricoteuses' beneath the guillotine, counting off heads with busily-clicking needles; and the instants of screen fourth dimension that establish each of the 'aristos' awaiting execution -- tiny, non-speaking parts -- as individuals in their own right.
The script is intelligent, succinct and sparkling with understatement. The actors' faces speak equally eloquently in the pauses as in whatever silent drama. The blackness-and-white photography is sumptuous, from the lavish ballroom scenes to the grimy "Lion D'Or" in Boulogne. And Leslie Howard is endlessly watchable in an ever-changing portrayal of leashed strength in masquerade. The only caveats I'd make are concerning the soundtrack quality -- I suspect the prints I've heard accept been damaged -- and the final brief epilogue scene, which despite the gentle wordplay falls, to me, a little flat. In all other respects this would be the "Ruby-red Pimpernel" I'd recommend: every time.
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Leslie Howard's finest hour?
This aged accept on the pop novel of a foppish English hero saving aristocrats from the guillotine during the French Revolution is an absorbing British movie; benefiting in item from the excellent performance of Leslie Howard (one of England's greatest screen actors, despite his Hungarian beginnings), who gives the character of Percy Blakeney a humour and charm lacking from other actors who have attempted the role.
Merle Oberon besides does well as his French expat wife - perhaps her all-time interim, even surpassing her afterward work opposite Olivier in 'Wuthering Heights'. Given that Howard and Oberon had a real-life love thing which started during this movie, information technology is interesting to note there are definite sparks between the pair on screen. Other actors in the cast are good value; Raymond Massey as the big-headed French ambassador who never thinks he tin be outwitted; and Nigel Bruce, beloved later in the decade equally Dr Watson, as the dodo Prince of Wales.
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"Those Frenchies Seek Him Everywhere."
There are some including previous reviewers here who would debate that The Scarlet Pimpernel afforded Leslie Howard his finest screen role. I wouldn't argue the point.
This Pimpernel guy, a sort of English Zorro/Lone Ranger is i tricky beau. He's declared his own private war on the French Revolution and while not prancing about Regency gild, he's over in France rescuing as many aristocrats as he can from Madame Guillotine.
Like Zorro in order to throw off suspicion, Sir Percy Blakeney affects the guise of a fop then that no one will think him capable of anything bold. Unlike Don Diego De La Vega, Blakeney'due south a hubby, married to a French woman played by Merle Oberon who has her ain dirty fiddling secrets she'south keeping.
Come to think of Don Diego and Sir Percy were operating in roughly the same period.
There's a guy named Chauvelin who's got a mission from the head guy at the Revolution, Robespierre himself. Bring back the Scarlet Pimpernel to confront Revolutionary justice or you will. That'south i bang-up incentive.
Raymond Massey is a ruthless hunter every bit Chauvelin. And he believes in his mission. Every bit another reviewer quite plainly put it Massey well remembers all the excesses that the aristocrats indulged in for centuries. He'southward pretty good also, but Leslie Howard is a tad better.
Leslie Howard is one of those players y'all can listen to and never be bored. He had that marvelous ability to brand some of the most trite dialog sound like Shakespeare. Every bit did his fellow British players Ronald Colman and Robert Donat. No one always played the jaded globe weary soul quite the mode Howard did, whether information technology was Alan Squire, Ashley Wilkes or Percy Blakeney.
The Cerise Pimpernel subsequently over 70 years holds upwardly well as classic entertainment. No one, but a jaded regency fop could not like this picture.
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One of Howard's All-time
I loved this movie largely for the fabulous performances that both Oberon and Howard requite. Nada beats Howard dressed up equally an onetime woman and fooling the silly French soldiers!
Howard'south performance is beautifully understated. His operation is based more often than not in his facial expressions, which gives the operation its power. There is a tendency past after actors who take played the Pimpernel to really over exercise the fop business, but he gives it just the right intensity.
Oberon is perfect as Lady Blakeney, and she has wonderful chemistry with Howard. She also does a lot with facial expressions and closeups
The other expert thing is that non all the French people in this movie sounded like they were English language!
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"Slap me, I'm bubbling over with practiced humor this morning time!"
"They seek him hither, they seek him there, those Frenchies seek him everywhere..." He's the cunning English language spy code-named Pimpernel: master of disguises, savior to guillotine-spring aristocrats during the French Revolution, and most likely to be institute in London making as big an ass of himself equally credulity will allow. No one (non even his wife) would ever suspect the idiotic Sir Percy Blakeney of being the leader of an secret network of anti-Democracy rebels, and it's yet a joy to watch Leslie Howard, in the title role, successfully negotiating the ruse nether 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 depression run a risk, but the Pimpernel'south foppish alter ego makes him 1 of the more than unique (and hilarious) heroes always to grace the silver screen. The poetry is, by the way, Sir Percy'southward ain: "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 sure...something.")
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Well worth seeking
Accept said many times almost being a huge fan of classic film, of all genres. The cast consists of immensely talented actors, difficult to go wrong with Leslie Howard and Raymond Massey. Accept always had a lot of fondness for period adventures, many classics around, and Baroness Emma Orczy's 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' is deservedly highly regarded. So this 1934 version of 'The Cherry Pimpernel' had a lot going for it.
Fortunately, this version of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' does the source fabric justice, one of the better adaptations of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' and one of the better bachelor adaptations of Orczy's work. In terms of how often Orczy's piece of work has been adapted, she is hardly obscure but she is not every bit prolific as other authors (which won't exist named for fairness sake but 1 gets the thought), she does in my opinion deserve to exist adapted more. 1934'due south 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' is evidence of that.
At that place is hardly anything to complain about. Possibly there is a little besides much talk in places.
Also thought at that place was some occasional moments where information technology was a little static and staginess occasionally came through.
On the other hand, there is so much to recommend. 'The Cherry-red Pimpernel' goes at a lively and crisp stride, to me it did not creak at all. The script was literate and besides very witty and deliciously ironic as it should have been. The story on the nearly part was immensely arresting and entertaining with well staged and exciting action. The odd static moment aside, Harold Young's management was more capable.
Where 'The Ruddy Pimpernel' most excels is in the lavish production and costume design, beautifully complemented past the photography, and the pitch perfect casting of Leslie Howard, bringing boundless dashing charisma and haughtiness to the title part. The rest of the bandage are on the money, with Raymond Massey'due south ruthlessness and Merle Oberon's (nice chemistry with Howard as well) charm standing out. Nigel Bruce doesn't overdo his graphic symbol thankfully and it suits him well.
In conclusion, very good, oftentimes peachy really, and well worth seeking. viii/10 Bethany Cox
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They Seek Him Everywhere.
Alert: Spoilers
Sink me, a dammed good film most the Reign of Terror and the dangerous efforts of an Englishman known as the Scarlet Pimpernel, aka Sir Percy Blakeney, aka Leslie Howard, and his pocket-size band of colleagues to rescue at least a few aristocrats from the French guillotine.
The film has three themes going on at the same time: (1) Howard'due south constant trips to French republic to smuggle out the aristos; (2) the measures taken past the French administrator to England (Raymond Massey, the one with the ineradicable sneer) to detect the subconscious identity of the Pimpernel; and (3) the fact that Howard's wife is being blackmailed to pass that secret identity over to the French so they tin can capture him and lop off his caput.
It'due south an unpleasant situation altogether. The French aristocrats and their neglectful rex were bad enough -- though we hear only ane guilty reference to some "mistakes" they made. Merely the Reign of Terror -- covered too in Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" -- was worse, if possible. They lopped off the heads of everyone associated with the French nobility, including men, their families, their children, some of the servants, any rebellious anti-rebels, and -- well, just almost everyone they wanted. One proud revolutionary, Condorcet, had to write a tract in support of the movement while hiding out himself from his boyfriend citizens under suspicion of harboring anti-revolutionary thoughts.
At the head of the French citizens was the dictator manqué Robespierre. I retrieve his caput wound up under the guillotine as well. And so may that of M. Guillotine, the proponent of the device. Actually, Guillotine's neck remained intact but he must have worried about it when he was imprisoned. And what did the French revolution wind upwards with? Napoleon. Sometimes revolutions, or whatsoever social movements, can go too far. Read my forthcoming study of the subject area: "Why All Revolutions Should Take Place Inside the Caput."
The management and photography are thousand. Huge ballrooms crowded with fine ladies and gentlemen listening to Mozart. The score is by Arthur Benjamin, who also wrote "The Tempest Cloud Sonata" for Alfred Hitchcock'south "The Man Who Knew Also Much." A scene in which Leslie Howard, posing as a fop, appears to be sprawled asleep on a library chair while Raymond Massey (e'er dressed in night garb as befits a villain) paces around waiting for the Pimpernel to stumble in. A scene in which Massey finally captures Howard in France and orders the firing squad to execute him, but to find out the squad belongs to Howard.
And here you lot can tell the novel was written by a woman. The firing team don't kill Massey either. Under Howard'south orders they just dump him into a moisture hole in the floor and cover it with a heavy barrel while they escape. If the writer had been a man, he would have concocted a magnificent duel using swords and furniture, with the two men exchanging insults, and Massey fighting dirty. A final dramatic shot of Howard and his lovely married woman, Merle Oberon, as they accomplish England and the key light fades from their smiling faces and they go silhouettes against a romantically fuzzy, yet still slightly ominous, backlight.
In that location's more intrigue than action in the story, and information technology doesn't comport with it Dickens' genuine business concern for realism, only it pumps up the tension and we are always rooting for the hero who must play the humiliating part of the fool in the interests of justice. How the Ruby Pimpernel must take wanted to tear off that lace and fling away that monocle-on-a-stick and declare himself for what he was. We may call this "the Clark Kent Trouble." Speaking of Howard's being an English Baron and pretending to be a clothes-conscious fop -- one step removed from fairyhood -- I can't bring myself to believe that the writers of "The Mark of Zorro" weren't familiar with this tale.
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Leslie Howard shines in title part...
LESLIE HOWARD and MERLE OBERON both shine in this thoroughly entertaining film archetype about the homo who was an effete British gentleman by 24-hour interval (Sir Percy) and a noble avenger who saved many of his countrymen from the guillotine. As the peachy, Leslie is an unmitigated delight, delivering some ripely agreeable lines with bang-up 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 every bit the Frenchman anxious to trap The Ruddy 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'due south playing the swell seemingly oblivious to the hunt for the bearded Pimpernell. Particularly riveting are the opening scenes depicting the ugly public executions during the French Revolution and the crowds that delighted in them.
There'due south never a boring moment. Well worth watching and should give fans a new impression of simply how nifty an actor LESLIE HOWARD actually was.
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They seek him here, they seek him there, Those Frenchies seek him everywhere.
Most Americans know Leslie Howard equally Ashley Wilkes in Gone With the Wind, but he was an achieved actor long before that. A phase thespian, and a British film actor, earlier coming to America.
Here he plays a foppish swell, much like Zorro, every bit he tries to spirit away French Aristocrats before they are guillotined.
While he is doing that, he has trouble at dwelling house with his wife, the lovely Merle Oberon, who testified and sent a family to that same guillotine.
You won't find a swell amount of action here, unlike the familiar Zorro films with a similar theme. It is a play more anything, and an excellently written one at that. We can thank Oscar winner Robert E. Sherwood (The Best Years of Our Lives, Rebecca) for that.
Seeing Raymond Massey (Dr. Leonard Gillespie in "Dr. Kildare"), and Nigel Bruce (Dr. Watson in the Sherlock Holmes films with Basil Rathbone), just added to the pleasure.
Excellent motion-picture show.
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Entertaining, Satisfying Adaptation With A Fine Performance Past Leslie Howard
Overall, this is an entertaining and satisfying screen accommodation of the classic story of "The Scarlet Pimpernel". It is well-written, well-acted, and also contains a good balance of action sequences and verbal sparring. Withal it is Leslie Howard's functioning that stands out most of all, in a dual part that allows him to use his talent and his distinctive persona to their best reward.
The story adaptation is nicely done, with some very good dialogue and a expert pace equally it builds up the tension and gradually reveals all that is going on. Information technology makes it like shooting fish in a barrel for the fine cast to bring their characters to life, and it gives nigh of the main characters some practiced opportunities.
Besides Howard, Raymond Massey does very well with a villainous character well-suited to him, Nigel Bruce is entertaining equally the prince, and Merle Oberon does well plenty in treatment her character'south dilemmas. Howard himself captures the primary graphic symbol's personality well, and he also helps to pull everything else together. Although he might be better remembered for some of his roles in movies that are even more well-known, this might exist his own best operation.
The story itself is ane of the well-remembered classics for its very interesting setting as well equally the combination of exciting action and memorable characters. This movie version and its cast practise well in capturing some of the all-time material from the novel.
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Much intrigue, tension, and drama
I've seen this fine flick so oftentimes yet never tire of tuning in to it. To me information technology'southward a fascinating drama that holds no hint of being dated equally some films tend to be. Thanks to such an excellent cast and intense story, one is swept along from scene to scene rather expecting the worse but thankful it isn't.
I consider this part to be one of Leslie Howard'due south all-time performances. As Sir Percy Blakeney, he'southward regarded equally a frivolous socialite, just in truth he skilfully wends his style through every dangerous situation he encounters during those troubled times. There's a nonchalant, flippant air most him that masks a deep, genuine business organisation he harbours for saving innocent lives from the dreaded guillotine of revolutionary France.
Merle Oberon, as the beautiful wife of Sir Percy, is continually in distress over the disillusioned position she finds herself in, of having lost all respect for her husband's apparent shallow character, until she learns otherwise. At that place is also the danger for her blood brother's life that she tries to avert. All this leads to the villainous presence of Chauvelin, played by Raymond Massey, who is upwardly to his evil ways to say the least.
Nigel Bruce, as the Prince of Wales, has quite the knack of presenting existent foppish royalty of the times; it'due south 1 of his better roles, being true to blazon you lot might say.
It would have been nice to see a stage rendition if possible since it has all the right ingredients for a bang-up play. A true classic!
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Batman of the French Revolution
Though he volition e'er be remembered for his Ashley Wilkes office in "Gone With The Wind," the Scarlet Pimpernel is Leslie Howard'south finest hour on the big screen. His tragic death as a casualty in Hitler's war on England makes his soliloquy from William Shakespeare's Richard Two fifty-fifty more relevant today.
Based on a pop novel and play by Baroness Orczy, "The Scarlet Pimpernel" concerns a secret system led by Sir Percy Blakeney during the Reign of Terror to aide victims to escape the guillotine in France to find sanctuary in England. He pretends to be an effete big-headed aristocrat, callous to humanity'due south suffering, neglectful of his cute wife, who wanders effectually reciting bad poetry that he has composed and making snide remarks about the clothing of young man gentry men. In reality he is the magnificent man of steel, the Ruddy Pimpernel, fighting for truthful liberty, equality, and fraternity, not the perverted forms consort by Robespierre and his ilk. Sounds like Bruce Wayne and Batman. At that place's fifty-fifty a Robin, a fellow blueblood who assists with messages and at times equally a go-between. He also dons a cool costume and often travels incognito. There's no Batmobile, but, hey, it's not a perfect world.
Other talented Thespians smoothen in a stellar bandage. There's the nefarious Citizen Chauvelin, played to perfection by the underrated Raymond Massey, whose life depends on finding the wild weed that's choking the Revolution. He has old connections with Sir Percy'southward lovely wife played magnificently by the charming Merle Oberon who would receive critical raves for "Wuthering Heights" only five years later. There'due south Nigel Bruce, the future Watson, as the Prince of Wales whose minute intellect cannot fathom the depth and dangers to England of the French Revolution. The remainder of the cast down to the most infinitesimal function prove no blemishes.
There'due south plenty of action and romance mixed with suspense and pageantry, never a dull moment. Don't miss information technology.
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A Stirring Movie, very fresh and derisive.
One might want to pre-judge this motion-picture show on the basis of its release appointment (1934), simply it would exist a fault to consider this motion picture equally creeky and erstwhile. On the contrary, information technology remains so brilliantly focused and sharply contrasted, that the viewer can get lost within the motion-picture show-strip of this fine Korda film. The sets are realistic and evocative. Some, such as parlors and ballrooms glitter like the jewels of their occupants, while others, like public taverns and "clubs", can be grimy with pipe smoke, ale, and mutton.
The story is one of hidden identity, of unsung heroism, illusion, and danger......risk and reward, of good men doing what's necessary to salvage doomed people. It's also a moving love story.
Fundamental in all of this is Sir Percy Blakeney (Leslie Howard in his finest screen role). He is a Fop in the extreme. He poses, he prances, and he eternally fusses with his attire. Are his cuffs properly ruffled, so that when he takes snuff, "it's a swallows flight"? Neckwear is another preoccupation of Sir Percy's.... he even uses this obsession in one of the film's wittiest lines, "A man who can't tie his own cravat isn't likely to put a noose around the Pimpernel's neck, is he?" Simply, the paradox of course is that Sir Percy, his wife not even knowing, is the bane of the French Revolutionists, the Ruddy Pimpernel. He and his followers brand repeated and risky trips across the English Aqueduct to rescue those they can from the fate of the guillotine. This deception of Sir Percy'south is the core of much of the motion picture's hilarious moments. But it's easy for this movie to take quick turns from humor to grim seriousness.
The love interest is the International beauty Merle Oberon, who is showcased exquisitly. She has developed a antipathy for her foppish husband and his silliness, every bit she desperately tries to save her blood brother's life by trying to discover the true identity of the Pimpernel for villain Raymond Massey. She idealizes the Pimpernel who she oftentimes contrasts to her nit-wit husband, but every bit he tells her (and with some moment), "Information technology'south unsafe to fall in love with a phantom, k'dear. For all you lot know he'southward a married human being who is securely in love with his wife."
In that location is take chances and romance. A must see movie.
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Leslie Howard'due south finest part
"The Red Pimpernel" is one of the classics and the 1934 flick is by far the best cinema version. Leslie Howard is perfect for the part of Sir Percy Blakeney. Howard bounces between the foppish, sissy boy blueblood and the cunning, ingenious hero, who is a master of disguise. Y'all want to kick him in the teeth 1 minute and yous're cheering for him the next.
Merle Oberon, who has never impressed me much as an extra, plays Lady Blakeney. She is painfully and completely oblivious to her married man's true identity. Her performance is strained but Miss Oberon is all the same one of the most breath-takingly beautiful women to ever grace blackness and white picture show. Raymond Massey is excellent every bit Chauvelin, peculiarly his scenes with Howard where he is having to keep his atmosphere in check when dealing with the impossible antics and beliefs of Sir Percy'south alias. Excellent cinematography, and good supporting performances. Ane of my favorite hero movies.
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An Englishman Abroad
Yet some other British picture show of the thirties made past Hungarians (including Sir Percy himself, Leslie Howard), with a director and cameraman imported from Hollywood and the French villain played past a Canadian.
Like much history, the film is viewed through what came afterwards; and most viewers when they come to this motion picture at present, practise so via the much livelier 1941 update, 'Pimpernel Smith'. This 'straight' version, which had a difficult gestation (the original director - too American - was fired) emerges as handsome but rather cold and talky; rather like Sir Percy himself. But with actors of the calibre of Howard and Raymond Massey as the two key antagonists, whose complaining? The catastrophe has been much criticised, just I personally thought it was pretty cool.
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What a Wonderful Film
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 easily of Robespierre and his henchmen. Merle Oberon is also excellent (and cute) as his unknowing wife.
Raymond Massey is memorable equally the evil French goon, who tries everything to find 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'south friend.
This is a gorgeous pic, beautifully designed, filmed, and directed. All the actors are stone solid. The script is lightning fast and filled with wit and banter, including the famous "poem" that Howard recites several times.
This may exist the best slice of acting I've seen from Leslie Hoawrd. He is a full delight equally the faux fop, mincing about and giving mode 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 grinning as Raymond Massey? Smashing film!
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A Masterclass
Warning: Spoilers
Don't allow the vintage dissuade you lot. Like the similarly aged 'Mutiny On The Bounty', 'Scarlet Pimpernel' is an excellent piece of work.
Other contributors take explained in worthy detail the claim of this pic and so I'll be brief. Leslie Howard is perfectly cast for the part. Not a handsome man in the way nosotros might apply the term today, he yet conveys a tremendous presence and authority despite and then-often playing the buffoon. He gets excellent lines and delivers them with panache and timing that is simply a masterclass. I specially like his seeming obsession with dress, specially cravats, to emphasise his foppish credentials.
Other actors fit their roles to a nicety, only Howard is the human being to both watch and hear. The way he shifts between his shallow persona and the shrewd and scheming change-ego is wonderful to behold. He is like Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson combined.
Filmed in Black & White, and with nice product values with regard to costume and location, this is a classic interpretation of a hero. Though its historic period at present necessitates some audio-track repair. A re-mastering would exist a approving, though its lack of popularity make information technology unlikely.
Hands the best Pimpernel and highly recommended.
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Don't lose your head!
Baroness Orczy was what one would now term 'a right-wing reactionary'. It is probably best to describe a discreet veil over her interest with 'The Women of England'due south Agile Service League'. When reading her 'Scarlet Pimpernel' it is glaringly obvious that she does not exactly sympathise with the Republicans! That aside, she has created a character that is of timeless and universal appeal, with his dual existence, his disguises and his distinctive calling carte.
Physically Leslie Howard is a far cry from the 'tall, broad-shouldered, massively congenital' Sir Percy Blakeney of Orczy'due south imagining just his peak portrayal sets the template by which all actors in the function must exist judged. His performance is one of immense grace and subtlety.
In this screenplay, unlike the novel, the Lady Blakeney of Merle Oberon is introduced to us whilst posing for renowned portrait painter George Romney. Whatever Miss Oberon'south limitations as an actress she is loved past the photographic camera and oozes class. Every bit Blakeney's most dangerous enemy Denizen Chauvelin, the marvellous Raymond Massey is villainy incarnate. This actor's notoriously wicked sense of sense of humour is evident here.
Granted, the movie is somewhat creaky at times every bit are the performances from some of the supporting actors but it is streets ahead of Powell and Pressburger's catastrophic version of 1950. The less said about Clive Donner's execrable version of 1982 the better.
Baroness Orczy was an avowed Anglophile and happily married to an Englishman so the terminal scene of this moving picture would I'm sure have appealed to her immensely.
Towards the end of the moving picture Blakeney recites a few lines of 'the sceptered island' voice communication from Shakespeare'due south 'Richard II'. In that location are two lines in that speech that are not quoted. Although they were non relevant in 1792 or indeed in 1934 they are chillingly relevant now: "That England, that was wont to conquer others, hath made a shameful conquest of itself."
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Nicely realized Korda film
Leslie Howard is the foppish Sir Percy Blakeney and "The Scarlet Pimpernel" in this 1934 version of the play and novel by the Baroness Orczy. Merle Oberon plays his unhappy wife, Marguerite, and Raymond Massey is the roughshod Chauvelin, the Pimpernel'due south arch enemy.
The famous story is about a London lord who saves people from the French guillotine, wearing a diversity of disguises. The chronicles of the battle of wits between The Pimpernel and Chauvelin were the subject area of many sequels written by the Baroness, the concluding i written in 1940.
In blackness and white, and not the all-time quality film yous'll ever see, "The Scarlet Pimpernel" is nevertheless a wonderful adventure, with a fine script past Robert Sherwood and first-class acting by everyone involved. Howard makes a perfect Sir Percy and his alter ego, a brave man who tin can be dressed equally an sometime adult female, a peasant, whatever is needed. Merle Oberon is incredibly beautiful, and it's no wonder that Alexander Korda fell in dearest with her.
Though there isn't a lot of action in this pic, it holds ane's interest. The director, Harold Young, who was actually a replacement, keeps the tension going in the scenes. What activeness there is, is very adept.
I of the definitive Leslie Howard performances.
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During the French Revolution, a mysterious English nobleman snatches French aristocrats from the jaws of the guillotine
This is the first and the best swashbuckling vintage (1939) produced by London Films and directed by Harold Immature with Leslie Howard and Leslie Caron . Adventures based on Baroness Orczy'southward famous novels with screenplay by the usual Lajos Biró about wealthy Chamaleon human , 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 simply ane 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 Ruddy pimpernel whose true identity is known only to a very few, and once more the English aristocrat engaged in the underground effort to snatch out from under the bract of the guillotine Frenchmen caught in the Reign of Terror (1792) . This fourth dimension the terrible Commission 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 ways, including threats to Marguerite , furthermore is plotting to win back his previous dear . 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 . And so Marguerite gets trapped , so she needs to exist freed . His ruse may throw off the French government but the elusive Pimpernel is as well attempting to gratis his wife , though he is suddenly caught past Chauvelin.
Leslie Howard plays information technology to perfection , fitting the office like elegant glove , he does a dashing hero leading several characters and posing as an officer , pauper old adult female or revolutionary . Leslie match up efficiently to the popular conception of the Pimpernel who remains the archetypal acting , catching exactly the imitation foppishness besides as the mythical qualities which make the personage seem then invincible . It packs luxurious scenarios , beautiful gowns , and good acting from primary and secondary cast . In the film appears historical characters as Prince of Wales , Saint But , and Robespierre and is developed an exciting intrigue . This big-budgeted production results to be a good adaptation with spectacular production blueprint , 18th Century costumes , intrigue , damsels in disgrace , overnice scenarios and the impressive sets , besides , 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 past Harold Rosson . Spectacular Set up Decoration and settings past Vincent Korda , Alexander's blood brother . This 1 existence stunningly directed by Harold Young and lavishly produced by Alexander Korda and his London Motion-picture show Productions .
Other versions near the supposed dandy of the English language courtroom who assumes the identity of foppish Sir Percy in club to outwit the French republicans and aid innocent aristocrats and based on classic novels past Baroness Orczy are the following : First silent version (1923) titled I Volition Repay by Henry Kolker ; The Elusive Pimpernel (1950) past Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger with David Niven , Cryl Cusack and Margaret Leighton and TV serial (1999) past Patrick Lau with Richard East Grant and Elizabeth McGovern and another series (1955) starred past Marius Goring as Sir Percy , and Reddish Pimpernel (1982) (TV) is almost as practiced as the archetype rendition , beingness made past Clive Donner with Anthony Andrews , Jane Seymour and Ian McKellen every bit his nemesis Chauvelin, the caput of land security.
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One of the all-time multi-genre movies of all time
Warning: Spoilers
Baroness Emma Orczy was even so writing sequels when this beginning film was made of "The Scarlet Pimpernel." The British novelist, playwright and curt story writer was built-in Sept. 23, 1865 in Hungary and died Nov. 12, 1947 in England. She first wrote "Pimpernel" equally a short story and and so equally a play in 1903. In one case it became popular, Orczy wrote a dozen sequel stories either as novels or equally plays.
I take enjoyed all 3 of her stories that have made it to the silver screen. "The Scarlet Pimpernel" is her best known work, and has the most renditions on film "The Emperor's Candlesticks" in 1937 and "Pimpernel Smith" in 1941 are very good films as well. Orczy preferred to write historical fiction, which I peculiarly similar. She puts her fictitious characters in an actual time, event or identify of history, and makes them a part of that history. Besides the romance, drama, comedy or other entertainment we become from the fictional story, we also get a expect at history. Of course, this is as the flick industry (aka Hollywood) makes it, but well-nigh such productions effort to exist accurate on the historical details. Viewers can watch for errors and postal service corrections on IMDb.
"The Scarlet Pimpernel" is a story with a lot of variety. Information technology'southward an activity drama in a historical setting. It has intrigue and mystery. It has deceit and deception. It has somber moments that expect at a dark menses in French history, and the barbarism of humanity gone mad. It is a sure- burn romance, and it has wonderful humor. I can call up of very few films with stories that combine so much and come off so successfully.
This outset film version is hard to beat. The only afterward rendition that comes close is the 1982 TV movie with Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour. But, this 1934 London Film movie is the masterpiece. The cast is outstanding, and all roles are played superbly. Leslie Howard equally Sir Percy Blakeney, Merle Oberon every bit Marguerite (Lady Blakeney) and Raymond Massey as Citizen Chauvelin shine in their roles.
The set, scenery, props and costumes all look existent for the time and circumstances. The scenes of public executions with the guillotine are a expert look at how mob dominion can lead to atrocity and treachery. An opening scene shows a newspaper with a close up of an item dated June 5, 1792. Information technology reads, "On Wednesday concluding no fewer than fifty-three persons, including immature girls, were guillotined by the order of Citizen Robespierre, the self-styled Dictator of France. An middle-witness described the scene equally eye-rending." We also run into the mob cheering and applauding each execution. Information technology is a necessary await at history more than 200 years ago that we should not forget. Tens of thousands were executed by mob rule during the historic Reign of Terror.
Unfortunately, the film quality is non very good on the DVD I have. This is a classic film that should be digitally remastered for posterity – and future sales. Film buffs frequently quote the clever and funny poem that Sir Percy has written and recites in the film. It's an easy ane to recall. I like some of the other witty exchanges Percy has at times with others. At the Blacks Club, Percy is going to recite it to some gentlemen sitting in high-backed chairs. Percy, "Would you believe me? I've just written a masterpiece?" Col. Winterbottom, "Who sir? Y'all sir?" Percy, "Me, sir." The colonel, "No, sir." Percy, "Yes, sir. All about this mysterious pimpernel boyfriend." Subsequently, at a party they are giving, Percy says to Marguerite, "Forgive me, my dear. Have our friend around and tell him who everybody is. If anybody is anybody."
While this is a very entertaining film, it's also one that shines a light on the dark side of the French Revolution. Westerners are quick to celebrate the birth of democracy in tardily 18th century France, and at the same fourth dimension plough a blind eye to the different tyranny it brought and the greater upheaval it fostered. The flick has a poignant scene and line that puts the fourth dimension in perspective. Nigel Bruce is playing the Prince of Wales. At a g ball in England, a French adult female who had been rescued from the guillotine approaches the prince. "Your highness, I have accepted the … invitation belatedly to implore your highness to do something to save my husband." The Prince of Wales replies, "Madame. The government does everything in its power to save those who are threatened by death in the prisons of the French Commonwealth. But if a land goes mad, information technology has the correct to commit every horror within its own walls."
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The Pimpernel is a one of a kind role for Leslie Howard
Leslie Howard is the movie. His take on the part is one of a kind. And to be honest I laughed the unabridged flick. His function equally Percy is hysterical. Line after line is memorable. "Go and introduce him to everybody, if everybody is anybody." And his power to change character instantaneously is washed with remarkable precision. Watch as he approaches his wife, the stern man that stands for life, and then changes to the laughable Percy only an inch from her confront. He is fun to lookout in this i. You must appreciate the free energy that he must take put into this role. He should take won an university award. This must be the best acting of his career if not for his role in "Gone with the Wind". The unabridged story line is perfect and there aren't many dead scenes. It'southward great amusement from start to finish, with a classic ending on top of information technology all.
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The true Pimpernel on the screen
There is no question that a day volition come up in which yet another version of the eternal "Pimpernel" tale will sally. No matter how brilliant the new cast, set and the Special Effects may be, this future pretender will not be able to beat the feeling of authenticity that the original stock provides. I have watched information technology several times: every time it looks as charming as the first. I recommend it non only for Classic Cinema lovers only for anyone trying to discover (or re-discover) 1.
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