THE RETURN OF THE SCARLET PIMPERNELL
UK, 1937, 86 minutes, Black and white.
Barry Barnes, Sophie Stewart, Margaretta Scott, James Mason.
Directed by Hans Schwarz.
The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel is a sequel to the very popular film, the scarlet pimpernel, with Leslie Howard.
The plot of this film parallels that of the original, based on the novels by Baroness Orczy. Barry Barnes is a sympathetic Percy Blakeney with his faux effete character and his heroics. James Mason appears as a revolutionary who turns against Robespierre, with Magaretta Scott in love with him, forced by the villain, Chauvelin, to spy for the Revolution. The film was overshadowed by the original.
1. An action adventure of the 1930s? Popular story, characters, swashbuckling?
2. The black and white photography, the Alexander Korda production values of the period? The musical score?
3. The repetition of the original story? This time Sir Percy Blakeney known for his feats?
4. The historical background? The French revolution? The dangers? The refugees to England? 18th century espionage?
5. The atmosphere of London, cricket, the social set, Blakeney and his marriage? Yet his yen for adventure?
6. Percy’s character, on the surface, the poses as an idle nobleman? His marriage to Marguerite? Love for her? Yet his wanting to be involved, patriotism, adventure?
7. Marguerite, her relationship with Percy, love, not wanting him to go, but supporting him?
8. The representation of Paris, the overtones of Charles Dickens and A Tale of Two Cities? The crowds, the blood lust, the range of victims for the guillotine? Robespierre? Tyranny? The parliament?
9. The role of Chauvelin, his character, his plans and ambitions? His employing Teresa? His hold over her? His hold over Jean Tallien?
10. England, the party, Marguerite, the discussions? The change of heart?
11. The setting of the trap?
12. Percy, the flowers, the general, the note, defiance?
13. Robespierre, his character, his place in the revolution, hard, trusting Jean Tallien, the plan?
14. Theresa, in England, discussions with Marguerite? Beguiling? Her return to France?
15. Marguerite, going to France, her being arrested? Imprisoned? The prison sequences, Percy and his response? The setting up of the trial, the court case, the plan for the escape? The lights?
16. Percy, the windows, the plan, Jean Tallien,, his role?
17. Assembly, the meeting, Jean Tallien and his speech, Robespierre and his reaction?
18. The timing, the Bastille, the escape?
19. Travelling to England, the denunciations, the soldiers, the crowds, the coach ride, in the inn? Percy and his plan, turning the tables, the rescue?
20. The safety of England, its calm, after the turmoil in France? And cricket again.
