Movie Review Monday: The Scarlet Pimpernel

Happy Valentine's Day! Here's a slightly romantic film review:

Movie Review: “The Scarlet Pimpernel”

Release Date: 1982

Rating: NR (My opinion: PG)

Runtime: 136 minutes

“The Scarlet Pimpernel” is a literary classic, brought to television by British-born director Clive Donner (1926-2010). Donner directed many made-for-tv films, like “Oliver Twist” (1982) and “A Christmas Carol” (1984). Stars Jane Seymour (“Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” 1993-98) and Anthony Andrews (“David Copperfield” 2000) bring the smoldering intensity of Baroness Emma Orczy’s characters to life. Ian McKellen, known for his roles as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings films and as Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films, plays Orczy’s villain.  

Clanging iron bars open to a jail cell filled with well-dressed citizens: French aristocrats. The “aristos” are led through a courtyard full of commoners cheering for “The Republic!” and jeering at the prisoners. In the center of the courtyard stands “Madame Guillotine.” This story unfolds during the French Revolution, when many upper class citizens were slain for no other reason than their titles.

Fortunately this opening scene is also when the hero arrives. He is sitting hunched over, driving his horses and has bushy eyebrows, unkempt hair and a voice like an old, rheumatic man. With the help of only a few friends on the inside, the Scarlet Pimpernel saves an innocent aristocrat family—wife and young son included—from the guillotine.

The Scarlet Pimpernel is actually Sir Percy Blakeney (Andrews), an English aristocrat, who puts on airs and seems quite snobbish and foolhardy. While on reconnaissance one evening he meets Marguerite St. Just (Seymour), a famous French actress, and soon falls in love. Marguerite perceives there is something more to Percy and returns his affections, much to Chauvelin’s dismay.

Paul Chauvelin (McKellan) is the captain of the French police and is pursuing Marguerite, at least until Percy arrives. Chauvelin is also a key player to the film’s French Revolution. But the Scarlet Pimpernel continues to elude him, saving more lives along the way, driving Chauvelin to drastic measures.

Since this film was made nearly 30 years ago, some of the cinematography is a bit lacking. There are a few night scenes in which details are very difficult to decipher, and the picture is not of the highest quality. The costumes and hairstyles were very well done, however, and seem quite accurate for the period. The music also feels appropriate for the setting of the film—lots of classical pieces full of violins buzzing and trumpets blaring.

Older films tend to go at a bit slower pace compared to the plots of today’s films, but whether due to a particularly forward-thinking screenplay writer or due to the Baroness’ original skills, the movie keeps up a rather exciting pace. There are many moments full of suspense, lots of chase scenes and even a swordfight.

The chemistry between Percy and Marguerite elicits empathy for their success as a couple, and Chauvelin’s cutthroat politics makes him a villain viewers love to hate. This film is an oldie, but certainly a “goodie,” and worth having in one’s personal collection, or at least in a rental lineup.