The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982) (TV)

Director:

Clive Donner

Writers:

William Bast (teleplay)
Baroness Emmuska Orczy (novels)

Release Date:

9 November 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | Drama | Action

Plot:

During the French Revolution, a mysterious English nobleman known only as The Scarlet Pimpernel (a humble wayside flower)...

Plot Keywords:

Robespierre | French Revolution | Scarlet Pimpernel | English | Manor

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Anthony Andrews	...	Sir Percy Blakeney\The Scarlet Pimpernel
Jane Seymour	...	Marguerite St. Just
Ian McKellen	...	Chauvelin
James Villiers	...	Baron de Batz
Eleanor David	...	Louise
Malcolm Jamieson	...	Armand St. Just
Denis Lill	...	Count de Tournay
Ann Firbank	...	Countess de Tournay
Richard Morant	...	Robespierre
Julian Fellowes	...	The Prince Regent
Timothy Carlton	...	Count de Beaulieu
David Gant	...	Fouquet
John Quarmby	...	Ponceau
Gordon Gostelow	...	Duval
Carol MacReady	...	Mme. Duval

Runtime:

142 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:PG | Australia:G (DVD rating) | Australia:PG (cable rating)

Filming Locations:

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Edgar J. Scherick Associates

Trivia:

John Quarmby worked two weeks.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the Scarlet Pimpernel is helping the family to escape in the coffins, the man gets into the coffin on the right. When the coffins are reopened, the man emerges from the coffin on the left. And if you watch really closely, you'll see the mother and son's coffin is reversed head to foot.

Quotes:

Sir Percy: Ceased? I will love her to the day I die. That is the tragedy.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Pod People (#4.3)" (1991)

Excellent rendition of a wonderful tale

I have loved this movie since I was a child, but even more so now having re-watched it after reading the two books it is based upon. Anthony Andrews perfectly captures the dual nature of Sir Percy - the lazy eyelids, drawly voice, and then the flashes of passion when alone with Marguerite. His appearance is always impeccable, and his disguises are always extremely good but still true to what he would have been able to accomplish at that time.

The script manages to flawlessly interweave the plot of "The Scarlet Pimpernel" and "Eldorado", the two Orczy books on which it is based (both revolving around the Scarlet Pimpernel). The resulting story allows for wonderful character development, especially between the three main characters. Ian McKellan wonderfully captures Chauvelin's zeal and nervousness, with the added bonus of seeing more of his background with Marguerite and Sir Percy.

I have never seen any of the other version of The Scarlet Pimpernel, but as this one is so good I feel I do not need to even bother. Even without knowing the story or reading the two books, it stands on its own merit as a wonderfully entertaining film, which might just as easily have been made for the big screen as for TV.