THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL
UK, 1982, 142 minutes, Colour.
Anthony Andrews, Ian McKellen?, Jane Seymour, James Villiers.
Directed by Clive Donner.
The film is based on the novel by Baroness Orczy and its companion volume El Dorado. The film was made as a successful espionage period drama with Leslie Howard, Merle Oberon and Raymond Massey in the '30s. There was a '40s version with David Niven, The Elusive Pimpernel. This television version has lavish treatment, excellent re-creation of atmosphere and interesting performances, from Anthony Andrews (Brideshead Revisited, Under the Volcano) as Sir Percy Blakeny, Shakespearian and English stage actor Ian McKellan? as Chauvelin and Jane Seymour as Marguerite. There is an interesting British supporting cast led by James Villiers.
The film has interest as a French Revolution story, reminiscent of aspects of A Tale of Two Cities. It also shows British society of the 18th century - with their lavish style. There is espionage, action, romance, misunderstanding and betrayal. While the film works as an action adventure - it is done with elegant style, directed by Clive Donner whose credits range from such films as Pinter's The Birthday Party to Alfred the Great and telemovies including versions of Dickens' A Christmas Carol and The Thief of Baghdad.
1. An entertaining period costume drama? The popularity of the novels? Previous film versions? Comparisons7
2. The production values: the French and English locations, the re-creation of Paris and London, the use of historical buildings and sites? Costumes and decor? Action sequences? Editing and pace? Musical score?
3. The title and its focus on Sir Percy Blakeny as fop and as spy? The issue of the emblem? The humorous verse about the Scarlet Pimpernel?
4. The initial impact of Sir Percy Blakeny? As a fop and a dandy? His affected manner of speaking, concentration on clothes, characters responding to him with his love of the trivial? His friendship with the French families? The humour and danger of his rescue attempts, the executions in Paris, his escaping with people in the coffins? His range of disguises (the old woman with the boy with the plague, the old carrier of furniture)? Comments on his elusiveness? His cover, mask? The encounter with Marguerite and his falling in love with her? The deception of Chauvelin? The marriage to Marguerite? The prospect of happiness? The prospect of continuing his mission? His loss of faith in Marguerite, the estrangement - as seen at home, at the social gatherings? The suspicions and watching her at the dance? The irony of his hearing the truth when she did not know whom she was speaking to? His men, their plans, bringing Armand into his team? The visit to France, the plans for rescuing the Dauphin, his disguise? Armand's failure and his-return? His capture, Chauvelin's gloating, Marguerite's visit to the prison? His engineering getting out, the visit to the chateau, his going through with the execution charade, the swordfight with Chauvelin, leaving him to Robespierre? The happy ending and reconciliation, with Marguerite? Anthony Andrews and an affected, stylish and sympathetic performance? Making the Scarlet Pimpernel credible?
5. Chauvelin and his role in the French Revolution, the executions, his love for Marguerite, her rejection of him? His loyalty to the Revolution? Dependence on Armand? The pressure on him to discover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel? His despising of Sir Percy? His going to England, the pressure on Marguerite about Armand? The dance, his making her discover the secret of the note, the confrontation with Sir Percy? His tricks in France, his being deceived about the Dauphin, his capture of Percy, imprisonment, his seeming victory and not keeping his word, the swordfight and his being left for French justice? A worthy opponent to the Scarlet Pimpernel?
6. Marguerite as actress, her love for Armand and concern about him, friendship with Louise? Falling in love with Sir Percy, attracted by him, the picnic (also as a cover for another rescue)? The marriage scene and the lyrical romance? England and her future, the information and challenge about the Marquis being betrayed and his family executed? The estrangement with Percy? The blackmail by Chauvelin? Her device of getting the information from Andrew, her warning the Scarlet Pimpernel, her discovery of the truth, going to France, to the temple prison, the final denouement and her grief, joy, reconciliation? An attractive heroine?
7. The Scarlet Pimpernel's band - English nobility, their covering their heroism? The rescuing of the nobles? Marriages? Armand and his role in the state, the Revolution, his relationship with Louise, the close escape, Chauvelin using Louise, his return? His decision to return to Paris to rescue Louise?
8. The picture of the Revolution - the courts, the nobles in prison, the executions? The atmosphere of the guillotine? The film's attitude towards the French Revolution?
9. Espionage, 18th century style and the Baron and his Austrian background, his protection, giving of information, insinuating doubts, participation in the final rescue of the Dauphin?
10. The perennial popularity of this kind of adventure - far-fetched, heroic, full of glamour and fine settings - larger than life and always entertaining?
