'Pimpernel' Smith (1941)

Professor Horatio Smith, while seeming very unassuming, rescues victims of Nazi persecution during World War II.

Director:

Leslie Howard

Writers:

Anatole de Grunwald (screenplay) (as Anatole De Grunwald), A.G. Macdonell (original story)

Stars:

Leslie Howard, Francis L. Sullivan, Allan Jeayes

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Allan Jeayes	...	Dr Benckendorf
Peter Gawthorne	...	Sidimir Koslowski
Ernest Butcher	...	Weber
Ben Williams	...	Graubitz
Leslie Howard	...	Professor Horatio Smith
Arthur Hambling	...	Jordan
Joan Kemp-Welch	...	School-Teacher
Hugh McDermott	...	David Maxwell (as Hugh MacDermott)
Manning Whiley	...	Bertie Gregson
Philip Friend	...	Spencer
Basil Appleby	...	Jock MacIntyre
Laurence Kitchin	...	Clarence Elstead (as Lawrence Kitchen)
David Tomlinson	...	Steve
Mary Brown	...	Betty (Girl Student)
Aubrey Mallalieu	...	Dean

Storyline

It is mid-1939 and both Germany and England are preparing for an inevitable conflict. Professor Horatio Smith, an effete academic, asks his students to come with him to the continent to engage in an archaeological dig. When his students discover that the professor is the man responsible for smuggling a number of enemies of the Nazi state out of Germany, they enthusiastically join him in his fight. But things are complicated when one of his students brings a mysterious woman into their circle, a woman who is secretly working for the Gestapo.

---

Plot Keywords:

nazi | manhunt | pilsner | champagne | scotch whisky | 

---

Taglines:

The man the Gestapo hates!

---

Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Thriller | War

---

Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English German

Release Date:

28 July 1941 (UK)

Also Known As:

Mister V

Filming Locations:

D&P Studios, Denham Studio, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British National Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Sound System) (at D & P Studios Denham · · · England)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jordan refers to many Aphrodites, and he's right. Dozens of statues of the Greek goddess exist, sculpted in numerous different poses. Hundreds may have been made in ancient times.

---

Goofs

Although Professor Smith's first name is Horatio, in several scenes he is called Horace, by his brother, and others. Horace would be correct for someone called Horatio, that most famous one called Nelson, was as a child called Horace; this is well documented.

---

Quotes

Graubitz: Gentlemen, please. Gentlemen. The Minister of Propaganda instructs me to inform all foreign correspondents that rumors of a mysterious personage helping enemies of the state to escape from Germany are without foundation. We can assure you there have been no such escapes and there is no such rescuer. Furthermore, in Nazi Germany no one can hope to be saved by anybody.

---

Crazy Credits

Opening credits: The tale we are about to unfold to you is a fantasy. None of its characters are living persons. But it is based on the exploits of a number of courageous men who were and are still risking their lives daily to aid those unfortunate people of many nationalities who are being persecuted and exterminated by the Nazis. To these champions of freedom this story is dedicated.

---

Alternate Versions

This film was cut and retitled 'Mister V' for its first American release in the early 1940s. Some versions censor the response from Hugh McDermott's character "I'd do my damndest..." in response to a question posed by Leslie Howard's character at a table in a café.

---

Connections

Referenced in Passagem por Lisboa (1994)

---

Soundtracks

Annie Laurie
(uncredited)
Music by Lady John Scott
Lyrics by William Douglas

User Reviews

Great Movie, wish there was more like this!

"Pimpernel Smith" is one of the most classic movies you will ever find in the World War II era. It will ever serve as a reminder that in 1941, the world did indeed know of the existence of Concentration Camps. It will further be a testament to the murders committed there with the statement by Dr. Benkendorf (Allen Jeayes, excepting Leslie Howard, the only man to play in both Pimpernel movies) "My business is to cure, not to kill!"

What makes this movie is not the plot, but the little subplots that surround the movie. You cannot watch this movie just once; it takes several times before you catch all the subtilties. Leslie Howard is just full of them in this movie.

But even more interesting is the character development. We watch Professor Smith go from a hardened academic to a gentile, but compassionate man. We watch the students go from being boys to men, and we learn from Ludmilla Koz about what kind of courage a lady can have.

By all means, watch this movie and watch it a lot. It will teach you in many ways.