The Scarlet Pimpernel
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Movie Reviews of The Scarlet Pimpernel
Movie Review: He's no Brian Ash, but...
Summary: 5 Stars
Sir Percival Blakeney is heroic all the same.
I stumbled across this DVD in the quest for another movie and decided to see if it was as good as I remember. As other reviewers have noted, The Scarlet Pimpernel's draw for me back in 1982 was Anthony Andrews.
As I recall, he had just made several guest appearances on The Love Boat as the romantic interest of Julie McCoy and thought he was quite handsome. So I had to see The Scarlet Pimpernel and I wasn't disappointed.
The foppish Sir Percy's behavior was well nigh over the top, but how else would the brave baronet be able to fool society? He had to be absolutely sure that no one would even remotely suspect him as the Scarlet Pimpernel and Anthony Andrews pulled it off.
His ability to move back and forth between the seemingly clueless aristocrat and his many disguises (the last being my favorite, when he takes on his most dangerous rescue up to that point) without missing a beat was fun to watch.
I thought Jane Seymour did a first class job as the smitten Marguerite, though I had a hard time believing that she was the greatest actress in France. That wasn't her fault though, because there really wasn't much presented during the course of the movie to showcase the talent of Mademoiselle St. Juste.
The chemistry between she and Anthony Andrews was what made their part of the story so nice. They made the romance between this unlikely pair come to life and make it believable.
Ian McKellan's portrayal of Paul Chauvelin was wonderful. He presented the sort of villian that you would hiss and boo at in the theater and throw popcorn at the screen because he used any means at his disposal to get what he wanted. Even if it meant sending Marguerite's brother Armand to meet Madame Guillotine.
My only nit to pick about this movie was the fact that all the Frenchies had English accents. In an early sequence when Percy has called upon a nobleman and his family, I thought he was back in England and was surprised to find out that he had called on a French aristocrat. Small matter, that.
All in all, it's a fun romp with adventure, romance and heroes.
It is as good as I remember and there aren't many movies I can say that about.
Sink me, you won't be disappointed.
Movie Review: A Guilty Pleasure
Summary: 5 Stars
Anthony Andrews' portrayal of Sir Percy Blakeney is one of the genius performances of all time. As a romantic lead he is handsome and dreamy, and his effortless switch from the highly entertaining fop to an earnest lover is unnerving the first time it happens, largely because it is so seamless that for a moment you think he's out of character. His foppish affectations as Sir Percy are hilarious, particularly his use of the quizzing glass accessory as a prop. The intelligent, tender and sincere manners of the true Percy are equally riveting.
The dialogue sequences between Percy and Ian McKellen as Chauvelin are so much fun. Percy's merciless teasing about Chauvelin's lack of fashion and the undercurrent of jealousy on Chauvelin's part creates a quirky tension between the two that begs for resolution.
Andrews convinces as a character actor as well, for when Percy, as the Scarlet Pimpernel goes undercover, the transformation is so complete that you can't even perceive it to be the same man. The sword fight in the final sequence is brilliant, for its athleticism, tight choreography, timing and the literal "undressing" Percy delivers to Chauvelin. One suddenly realizes how beautifully he fills out a pair of breeches in this scene as well! Touché!
Jane Seymour is breathtaking and produces a solid performance as the lovely French actress, Marguerite St. Just. The supporting actors and actresses were also very well cast, especially Christopher Villiers as Lord Anthony Dewhurst. We liked him so well that he elicits cheers of "Tony!" nearly every time he makes an appearance.
The costuming and sets are stunning. I had originally rented this film, but realizing I could hardly bear to part with the rented copy, I knew that this treasure had to be added to my very selective collection of films that I "must" own. I was particularly delighted to find that Amazon not only carried the DVD, but that it was reasonably priced.
Movie Review: THE most amazing thing of all....
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes, Andrews is great in the role of the Pimpernel....and he plays Percy as brainless fop to perfection (what he does with his voice alone is remarkable- the range, the inflections- why, you don't even need to see the physical acting...you could be listening to a radio play and be just as blown away by the job he does with the role!)
THE most remarkable thing of all is that he manages to court, woo and WIN the love of Marguerite WITHOUT stepping out of character! You'd think it would be deemed impossible for a lady to fall in love with the brainless dandy version of Sir Percy, and that he would see the necessity of stepping out of character and lowering the mask at least briefly, yet he never has to! Not only does he manage to win the lady without tipping his hand and showing his true and heroic side, but he convinces us, the audience that this impossible feat can be accomplished, and that he has achieved it. True, Marguerite, the consumate actress, recognizes a fellow actor when she sees one, and suspects an act, but she doesn't know exactly just what his act consists of, or why he engages and persists in it...yet she falls for the guy without receiving any indication of what, if anything, lies beneath the surface of this man before her.
Think of it- all you ladies out there, do you think you could fall for a confirmed dolt under any circumstances? Or you guys out there- would you risk playing the dolt without revealing your true self even briefly when trying to get the love of your life to fall for you? No on both counts, right? Well, that is exactly what Anthony Andrews' performance skill has allowed the Pimpernel to pull off, and THAT is pretty amazing when you think about it- it's the true measure of not just Andrews' terrific acting abilities, but also the true measure of the incredible CHARM of this guy!
Movie Review: Sink me! Indeed
Summary: 5 Stars
I took a chance and purchased this dvd purely based on your reviews. I must say that I am simply enamored by this movie. Yes, it differs to the book but it is certainly forgivable. One simply has to understand that it is based on two of Baroness Orczy books and then it all falls into place.Now, for the movie. Anthony Andrews as the foppish/valiant Sir Percy was excellent. I thought he delivered an exceptional performance. I could not find any fault in his performance especially since the book Percy is so inane and a complete idiot...well, at least, his alter ego in any case. At times, it is so amusing to watch him, especially when he tries to undo Chauvelin. **smiles** I cannot say enough about his performance. When he is also conflicted by his love for Maguerite and his cold treatment of her, it is also beautifully done. His expressions are so real. His concern for the families of the aristos adds such a beautiful side to his character as well. You can actually see that he cares.
Jane Seymour as Maguerite was wonderful as well. The chemistry between her and Anthony Andrews was superb. They conveyed so much fire simply by a glance.
Ian Mckellan was also good. I must admit that when I realized he would play the villian that did not sit well with me (I love him as Gandalf but he really looks different out of the wizard's costume), however, it worked out well.
In conclusion, I thought this was a splendid movie. The sets, the music, the dances, etc were all engaging. There was never a dull moment. I actually ordered the film for my mum since I figure she would love it as well. Though I have never seen any of the other versions, I cannot imagine another one uprooting the love I feel for this one. It would be demmed near impossible.
Movie Review: "They seek him here, They seek him there"
Summary: 5 Stars
They seek him here, They seek him there,
Those Frenchies seek him everywhere.
Is he in heaven?
--Is he in hell?
That demmed, elusive Pimpernel.
*
Sink me! So this is really a chick flick. But it works for guys. Sir Percival Blakeney is a jubilant mixture of James Bond and Br'er Rabbit. The Scarlet Pimpernel has to be some of the earliest of spy genre literature. But the Pimpernel has that wisenheimer edge, that crucial difference that makes a good tale a great one.
The novel is one of my favorites, and this film is true to the spirit of the book. I should actually say books, since it is a mixture of The Scarlet Pimpernel (Dover Thrift Editions) and El Dorado: Further Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel (Dover Books on Literature & Drama). We do not mind the fusion, since Anthony Andrews, Jane Seymore, and Ian McKellen are perfect matches and perfectly cast.
The film's only flaw is pacing. It is as action packed as 24 - Seasons 1 - 6, so you feel like it is actually two movies as opposed to one. This gets a bit taxing on the brain. But since the film is so fun, we do not mind it.
(The other flaws come under "willful suspension of disbelief"--a disguise can hide anyone, Sir Percy has access to all the uniforms, at the end the old guards can be overcome without a ruckus, etc. It's good fun!)
Bottom line: get it, watch it, love it!