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i must have seen a different film!!

A Disappointing Continuation

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Of several versions of Baroness Orczy's "Scarlet Pimpernel" made into movies or put on TV, only two excel. The first is the original sound film of 1934 that starred Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon. The second is this TV movie of 1982, starring Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour. This is a longer version – by 45 minutes, that allows for a little more development of the characters, including some of the supporting roles. The one most notable is that of Chauvelin, played here by Ian McKellen. This is a rare remake of a film in which the casts are equally excellent all around. The two pluses of the roles in this "Pimpernel" version are McKellen's Chauvelin and Sir Percy Blakeney, played by Anthony Andrews. With the extra time for these two roles, we see much more of their characters. McKellen gives us a better look at the devious, conniving Chauvelin. And, Andrews paints a perfect and hilarious picture of the fop. His mannerism and portrayal of the dandy is almost over the top. Except for we viewers' knowledge of what this story is about – in which we find Sir Percy's character wonderfully funny, I can image that I would have found him as much a bore and nuisance myself. Those pluses are offset by some of the other aspects of this film. What leaps out most are the costuming and the set. Here we see a manicured set and manicured crowds in the square for the guillotine. Notice the clothing of the people in the crowds. It all looks new – like new stage costumes. It's all clean, fresh and looks neatly pressed. No one has anything on that looks crumpled, crushed or ragged. There are no hats, sweaters, pants or skirts with holes or tears. It has a sanitized feel. This was a time of the French revolution when turmoil ruled on the streets for years. Public services were slipshod, buildings and shops were damaged and stayed in a state of disrepair a long time. General sanitation, hygiene, and cleanliness took a backseat to the intrigue, fear and turmoil of the streets. So, when we see Sir Percy in the costume of an old hag in the midst of this, he really stands out. This is most clear when one watches this film after viewing the first one. In it, Leslie Howard's Sir Percy blends into the crowd so well, that we viewers don't pick him out instantly in crowd scenes. I think this is important since the fame of the Pimpernel is in his elusiveness. In the first film, we can see him getting away with it; but not so much in this one where he stands out more from those around him. The most important parts of the story are depicted well in both movies. This second version, however, is based on two of Orczy's novels, the second being "Eldorado" which first was published in 1913. That accounts for the different scenario for the last escape effort in France. Orczy is a wonderful storyteller who prefers to write fiction in a historical setting. She puts her fictitious characters in an actual time, event or place of history, and makes their story a part of that history. So, besides the romance, drama, comedy or other entertainment we get from the fictional story, viewers also get a look at a time, place and event in history. Of course, this is as the film industry (aka Hollywood) makes it, but most such productions try to stick with accuracy on the historical details.However, this is one of those instances when both the author and filmmaker revise history. This has to do with the young son of the king of France. The movie has the Pimpernel's gang getting the Dauphin out of prison and fleeing to Austria. But, that's not what really happened. The reigning king, Louis XVI was guillotined January 21, 1973, at age 39. His son, just seven years of age was kept in the Temple Prison and then elsewhere for more than 2 ½ years. He was beaten, mistreated, poorly fed and kept in filthy dungeon-like rooms with no sunlight or fresh air. Much mystery and chicanery surrounds that time. The family doctor was called to examine the boy after his long imprisonment, but the doctor died mysteriously before he could see the boy. Another doctor examined him and reported the poor conditions of the boy, as noted above. The boy who would have been Louis XVII died in prison of tuberculosis on June 8, 1796. He was just 10 years old. This movie fairly portrays some of the mob hysteria and crazed behavior by the leaders of the French revolution. And, one of the Frenchman who was saved by the Pimpernel has a line that explains the plight of the former royalists. He says that some of the aristocracy were guilty of mistreatment and oppression of the people; but the vast majority of the aristocrats were good people who were fair and kind. So, the many innocent were being killed along with the bad by this tyrannical government. I should end these comments on a humorous note. Sir Percy arrives to see Marguerite in Paris just as Chauvelin is leaving her residence. Percy says, "Sink me. I must apologize for my tardiness. It was next to impossible finding a carriage. Sink me, if everyone isn't so equal in your new society that no one wants to do the driving anymore. Heh, heh."

It's rather rare that I would give a 10/10 for anything, so you would probably guess that this version of The Scarlet Pimpernel must be one of my very favourite movies - and you would be 100% right.This movie, though in of itself very stagey and utilising what one can tell are predominantly stage actors for most of its roles - is actually a terrific piece of cinema, coupling a wonderfully fleshed-out script that in places is pure poetry with action and the much-loved characters possibly even more detailed than Baroness Orczy herself originally imagined.Far from his supposed 'best-known role' as Sebastian Flyte in Brideshead Revisited, Anthony Andrews instantly makes Sir Percy Blakeney, known also as the Scarlet Pimpernel to his League, completely his own, with every other interpretation - even the wonderful Richard E. Grant's endeavours - pale in comparison, playing what is possibly one of the best yet hardest parts to get right on screen and in theatre: a character whose real personality is the one least shown to others, and whom puts on a great act the rest of the time (all actors who have played super heroes with public counterparts - apart from, possibly Christopher Reeves as Superman, please take note!) Better yet than that, one falls in love with both sides of Andrews' character: one minute, the rich, foppish, naturally-funny-through-idiocy baronet; the next, the intelligent, moral and verging-on-wrecklessly-loyal aristocratic liberator. The two are so perfectly defined as well, with one glorious cinematic moment where with nothing more than a look, Andrews goes from one to the other while looking in a mirror, covering up some terrible news that the devastated Pimpernel has just heard with Percy Blakeney's ignorant smile. If for no other reason, you must see this film for Andrews' perfect interpretation of a classic British literature hero.The on screen chemistry between himself and Jane Seymour is also something quite delectable, and will have most red-blooded females swooning at every even-slightly romantic scene. Seymour herself is, as usual, on excellent form, at all points believable as the witty French actress with whom the genuine side of Percy falls in love, their romantic story as much of a focal point in the film (as much as in the original stories) as the daring getaways and well-planned rescues and escapes. She holds her own side of the story very capably with genuine yet perfectly-tuned emotion, filling the role of Margeurite St Juste so perfectly, no one before or since has quite encapsulated her or done this complex character of great moral standing, get genuine, all-encompassing love for her husband, quite as much justice as Seymour herself.Ian McKellen, surprising quite a few viewers as an unexpected name in the cast as the wonderful antagonist Chauvelin, also singularly encompasses both the brutal force of the French revolution as well as an individual vulnerability and sense of having been wronged. He masterfully makes Chauvelin both a character that at times one feels sorry for, and at others, one feels a great sense of joy at the Pimpernel's continuing victories and escapades at Chauvelin's expense, a very hard part to get right to serve the story best, with McKellen managing it superbly and seemingly effortlessly.The lesser roles are, as I've already said, peopled with actors who belong chiefly more on the stage than in the cinema, yet this in itself lends greatly to the atmosphere of the film, as no one therefore feels out of place in the cast and one feels almost as if one is watching an intricate play rather than a film.I can imagine Baroness Orczy herself watching it with great delight to see how actors of some thirty years ago interpreted her beloved characters and are entertaining cinema and classic literature lovers to this very day. Put simply, this version of the Scarlet Pimpernel is the one that, for many people, will forever be solidified in people's minds as the only version that was ever really needed. Its characters are wonderful and involving, its fabulous costumes, sets and locations lend to the genuine feel of the film, and the story is overall the kind one could quite easily lose oneself in. It deserves its rightful place in cinematic and story-telling history.

Adventures based on Baroness Orczy's famous novels about wealthy Chamaleon aristocrat who is not the fool he seems and confounds the French revolutionaries ; indeed , he masquerades as the daring adventurer , the soldier of fortune and rescuer of those persecuted by the French Revolution and the guillotines . Exciting exploits set on the Reign of Terror with Sir Percy Blackeney against a sinister Chauvelin , while the French Republicans seek him , there and everywhere . This is one of the innumerable versions of the much-filmed adventure classic with the immortal hero named Scarlet pimpernel ( Anthony Andrews), and again the English aristocrat engaged in the underground effort to snatch out from under the blade of the guillotine Frenchmen caught in the Reign of Terror ( 1792 ) . This time the terrible Committee of Public Safety assigns to Chauvelin the mission to track down Pimpernel in England . As Chauvelin ( ideal baddie cast Ian McKellen ) travels towards England where resides Percy and his wife ( Jane Seymour ) who was once involved with Chauvelin . The astute Chauvelin attempts to discover the rogue's identity and involve Percy's French wife Marguerite in his scheme , furthermore is plotting to win back his previous love . Pimpernel returns to Paris and then Sir Percy hides his activities under various guises . Pimpernel and wife head to France to save the son of the king from the clutches of Saint Just . Then Scarlet gets trapped , so quite a lot of rescuing needs to be freed . His ruse may throw off the French authorities but the elusive Pimpernel is also attempting to free his wife , though he is suddenly caught by Chauvelin.Anthony Andrews plays it to perfection , fitting the role like elegant glove , he does a dashing hero leading several characters and posing as an officer , pauper old woman or revolutionary . Andrews match up efficiently to the popular conception of the Pimpernel who remains the archetypal acting , catching exactly the false foppishness as well as the mythical qualities which make the personage seem so invincible .In the film appears historical characters as Saint Just , Fouche and Robespierre and is developed an intrigue about the little boy prince Louis XVII , guillotined king Louis XVI's son . This lavish production results to be a good TV adaptation with spectacular production design , 18th Century costumes , intrigue , damsels in disgrace , nice scenarios and the impressive sets , too , are superb . Stellar cast plenty of known actors with Jane Seymour ,Ian McKellen and James Villiers. This is almost as good as the classic rendition and being stunningly directed by Clive Donner .Other versions about the supposed dandy of the English court who assumes the identity of foppish Sir Percy in order to outwit the French republicans and aid innocent aristocrats and based on classic novels by Baroness Orczy are the following : First and the best swashbuckling vintage (1939) produced by London Films and directed by Harold Young with Leslie Howard and Leslie Caron ; The Elusive Pimpernel (1950) by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger with David Niven , Cryl Cusack and Margaret Leighton and TV series( 1999 ) by Patrick Lau with Richard E Grant and Elizabeth McGovern and another series (1955) starred by Marius Goring as Sir Percy , the Scarlet Pimpernel .

i found this movie in the local library after reading the book several times. i L.O.V.E.D it!!!! it is a fantastic movie and the acting is superb. Anthony Andrews is an extremely talented actor and portrays Sir Percy beautifully, with the lazy speech and face. he really is just perfect for the part and carried it off very well. Julia Roberts is also very good. the filming is fantastic and the story line is almost in sync with the book. the ending is exiting and there is lots of action mixed up with romance, wit and suspense. i don't want to say to much in case i spoil it. all up i think it is a wonderful film and would recommend it to any one who loved a good romance/action. Definitely worth a nine out of ten