The Scarlet Pimpernel [DVD] [1982]

Based loosely upon the novels of Baroness Orczy, the Scarlet Pimpernel is the hero of beleaguered eighteenth century French aristocrats. The Scarlet Pimpernel dedicates himself to rescuing aristocrats that, in the Republic of the post-revolution era, are destined to lose their heads in the feeding frenzy engendered by the minions of Robespierre. Just who the Scarlet Pimpernel is, the French have not a clue, other than he is believed to be an Englishman. The viewer, however, is on the secret of his identity from the very beginning.

Anthony Andrews plays the extremely foppish dandy, Sir Percy Blakeney, who is about as blue blooded as one can be and live. He is also the wealthiest man in all of England. Given to amusing his fellow aristocrats with bons mots, he also devises entertaining rhyming couplets about the Scarlet Pimpernel. Speaking in a highly affected voice and sporting the latest in fashionable attire, Sir Percy is a seemingly unlikely action hero. Yet, it is he who rescues those who are destined to lose their heads to the dreaded guillotine. It is he who is the Scarlet Pimpernel.

Since the Scarlet Pimpernel is putting a crimp into the post-revolution blood bath, the feared Chauvelin (Ian McKellen), an ardent revolutionist and hatchet man for Robespierre, seeks to capture him. Chauvelin has a soft side, however, as he is profoundly in love with Marguerite St. Just (Jane Seymour), the premier actress of France and one of its most celebrated beauties. Unfortunately for him, however, Sir Percy has just met Marguerite and been smitten. When Sir Percy romantically woos and wins the heart of Marguerite, she consents to marry him, not knowing that he is the Scarlet Pimpernel. When she marries Sir Percy, Chauvelin stops at nothing to exact his revenge, and his actions eventually cause a rift in the marriage.

What happens to Sir Percy, Marguerite, and Chauvelin is well worth seeing. Anthony Andrews is utterly charming, romantic, and drolly funny in his dual role as the dandified fop/dashing action hero who is in love with the prettiest girl in town. Jane Seymour is perfect as the beautiful thespian who captures the heart of a wealthy aristocrat, only to find, in the end, that she has married a romantic hero. Ian McKellen is effective as the angst ridden Chauvelin, who has had his heart pierced by Cupid's arrow.

This is a wonderful film. Now, having seen it on video, I am eagerly awaiting its release on DVD, so as to add it to my personal collection. It is a film that one can enjoy watching again and again.

Chauvelin's obsession with the beautiful Marguerite St Just (Jane Seymour, confidently fitting the description), though not in the books, does not detract from the character - the Revolution still comes first for him, and he is able to recover from his infatuation and blackmail Marguerite into unwittingly betraying her husband. Ian McKellen is undoubtedly the best, most human, and believable Chauvelin to date - his clumsy wooing of Marguerite, his subtle manipulation of Robespierre, and his awkwardness when being forced to dance with Lady Grenville when his mind is on the capture of the Pimpernel, make for an intricate characterisation of the French government agent. Anthony Andrews is comic as the foppish Sir Percy (though not as knowingly witty as Leslie Howard's take), and handsome as the Pimpernel. The duel between hero and villain, though purely artistic licence, is well choreographed, relevant to the characters, and allows just enough testosterone-fuelled buckling of swash to close the action without losing the plot. Jane Seymour's Marguerite, though watered down to maintain the sympathy of the audience, is definitely worth fighting over as the confident French actress. The supporting cast - mostly stock actors from television period dramas of the time - play their parts well, especially Malcolm Jamieson as Armand (the definitive Armand, in my mind), and Eleanor David as Louise (much improved on Armand's betrothed, Jeanne Lange, in 'Eldorado'). Gordon Gostelow and Carol Macready are also great entertainment as the Dauphin's earthy gaolers ("Shut up, woman!")

The DVD allows this film to stand up to the many viewings it demands, despite the odd scratch on what is now a twenty-plus year old production, which is fortunate for me - I must have seen 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' over thirty times by now! I would recommend this version as the ultimate adaptation of the book - swifter than the first film, yet remaining true to the Baroness Orczy's stories, in approach if not in every detail.