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.

The best Pimpernel out there
Review date: 2003-08-30 Rating: 10 out of 10

I have watcher every Pimpernel on the market and this is by far the best. Jane Seymour is a stunning Marguerite and plays the part excedingly well. She is by far the prettiest actress who has ever played Marguerite. Anthony Andrews is a perfect Sir Percy (Scarlet Pimpernel). He appears to be almost totally absessed about appearance.

The story takes place in various parts of France and England. Sir Percy Blakney (under the name of the Scarlet Pimpernel) and his brave band of followers save innocent French Aristocrats from the gillotine. While in France he falls in love with a French actress named Marguerite. The two of them are married,but due to an affair caused by Marguerite's former fiancee and lover Paul Chevlin,Percy refuses to tell her that he is the famed Scarlet Pimpernel. Chevalin is a government official and works with Maguerite's brother. Chevlin discovers that her brother is in league with the Scarlet Pimpernel and forces Marguerite into discovering the Pimpernel's identitiy. When she figures out that the Pimpernel is her Husband,she rushes to France in hope of saving him.

The best version ever
Review date: 2003-07-14 Rating: 10 out of 10

Though we've enjoyed other screen versions of the Pimpernel, this is our "reference" version. The portrayals of Andrews, Seymour, and McKellen are those against which our family measures all others. So far we have not found any superior.

Andrews as foppish Sir Percy is classic, as is a very young Ian McKellen as his would-be nemesis.

When our old VHS copy wore out, and we needed to replace the only DVDs available were region-encoded for Europe. Thankfully, the series has been reissued in a North-American-encoded format as well.
Paul D. Race, Springfield OH

Fantastic!
Review date: 2002-02-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

This film offers suspense, drama, and comedy in well balanced measures. The quality of the acting is very high, and the movie is worth seeing simply for Ian McKellan's excellent portrayal of Chauvelin. Shame he hasn't played more roles like this on the big screen.
Anthony Andrews has failed to impress me in other films, but in the role of Sir Percy Blakeney, he leaves nothing to be desired. Odd, maybe I shouldn't have watched "Z for Zachariah"..

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