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Just what I expected

best movie i've ever seen.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Blistering performances.

"The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel" is a sequel to the 1934 movie, "The Scarlet Pimpernel." Most Hollywood sequels are creations by studios to cash in on big hit movies. But not so, this one. It is based on the further writings of author Baroness Emmuska ("Emma") Orczy. The Hungarian-born aristocrat became a highly successful writer of mystery, intrigue and detective stories. She lived most of her adult life in England and wrote in English, which was her third language. Her most famous character is English nobleman, Sir Percy Blakeney. His cunning and organization of the Scarlet Pimpernel underground helped many of the landed gentry in France escape the guillotine under Robespierre.Orczy wrote more than a dozen novels and stories in the Scarlet Pimpernel Series. Four were made into movies. The original and "The Elusive Pimpernel" were first made as silent films in 1917 and 1919. The first sound film of "The Scarlet Pimpernel" came out in 1934. Its cast of Leslie Howard, Merle Oberon and Raymond Massey was superb. This film, "The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel," is the second sound film. The third film was "Pimpernel Smith" in 1941, and the fourth was "The Fighting Pimpernel" in 1950. Later British TV programs ran Pimpernel stories, and a couple of TV series aired in 1956 and 1999-2000.While all of the Pimpernel stories are entertaining, none of the sequels could come close to the original. Perhaps that is in part because the subject was new and very fresh when introduced. But, I think also that it is due to the superb casting for the original story – in 1934 and in a 1982 remake movie for TV. The color, lavish sets, excellent scenery and screenplay of the latter film equaled or bettered the first sound production of 1934. And its cast of Anthony Andrews, Jane Seymour and Ian McKellen was equally superb. Only a few of the first film actors are in this or the other two sequels. This film continues with the action of the original, but it is lacking in other areas. Barry Barnes is fair as Sir Percy, but Sophie Stewart is a very weak Lady Marguerite Blakeney. Francis Lester is far too gentle in the role of Chauvelin. Henry Oscar is too old as Robespierre, although he shows the citizen's paranoia that most likely led to his downfall. The introduction of the real person, Jean Tallien, and the undoing of Robespierre's hold over the revolution add much to earn this film its rating. James Mason is excellent as Tallien. While this film can't match the original story for intrigue, interest, action and acting, it is an interesting work of historical fiction. That was a favorite style of Baroness Orczy. She excelled at it as seen, especially, in all of her Pimpernel stories. I think most people will find this movie entertaining.

Barry Barnes plays the title part in this sumptuous Alexander Korda film. In addition, a very young James Mason has a small role.This film picks up at the end of "The Scarlet Pimpernel". The Pimpernel's enemy, Chauvilland, has just been tricked into allowing him and his men to escape. However, Chauvilland now knows that Percival Blakeney is the Scarlet Pimpernel and he'll stop at nothing to lure him from England to France in order to arrest and execute him. Urging him on is the insane Robespierre—who threatens to have Chauvilland guillotined if Blakeney is not captured.There are no huge surprises in the film—once again, Blakeney is a master of disguises and once again he and his colleagues are always just a step away from the guillotine. The only surprise comes to those who know history, as this otherwise excellent film takes HUGE liberties with the real downfall of Robespierre—and in this case, the real historical account is far more exciting. Robespierre was himself accused of treason and sentenced to death—but he tried killing himself to deprive the audience of seeing his head removed. However, in the process, he shot off part of his face and was executed anyway! In addition to the ending being historically inaccurate, it was also pretty tough to believe…no, impossible! Up until then, it was a solid and exciting film. This botched ending brings the rating down to 7—meaning it's still well worth watching but could have stood improvement.

This is the second version of the much-filmed adventure classic with the immortal hero named Scarlet Pimpinel ( Barry Barnes), 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 ( 1794 ) . This time Robespierre assigns the mission to track down Pimpinel in England . As Spanish Teresa Cabarrus , Tellien's lover , and Chauvelin (Francis Lister ) travel towards Brighton where abduct his wife ( Sophie Stewart ). Pimpinel returns to Paris and then Sir Percy hides his activities under various guises . 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.Barnes does a dashing hero leading several characters and posing as an officer , pauper or revolutionary . This lavish production results to be a good sequel with spectacular production design , impressive sets and nice scenarios . Less than stellar cast plenty of unknown actors with exception a young James Mason as Tallien. The motion picture is professionally directed by Hans Swartz , a Hungarian filmmaker in his last movie .In the film appears historical characters as Tallien , Theresa Cabarrus (Margarett Scott ) and is developed an intrigue about downfall's Robespierre ( Henry Oscar ). The actual events are the followings : Robespierre appeared at the Convention and delivered a two-hour-long speech. He defended himself against charges of dictatorship and tyranny, and then proceeded to warn of a conspiracy against the Republic. Robespierre implied that members of the Convention were a part of this conspiracy, though when pressed he refused to provide any names. The speech however alarmed members particularly given Fouché's warnings. These members who felt that Robespierre was alluding to them tried to prevent the speech from being printed . The next day, Saint-Just began to give a speech in support of Robespierre. However, those who saw him working on his speech the night before expected accusations to arise from it. He only had time to give a small part of his speech before Jean-Lambert Tallien ( James Mason ) interrupted him . Robespierre then attempted to secure the tribune to speak but his voice was shouted down. Robespierre soon found himself at a loss for words after one deputy called for his arrest . The Convention ordered the arrest of Robespierre, his brother Augustin, Couthon, Saint-Just, François Hanriot and Le Bas. Troops from the Commune arrived to free the prisoners and then marched against the Convention itself. The Convention responded by ordering troops of its own under Barras to be called out. When the Commune's troops heard the news of this, order began to break down, and Hanriot ordered his remaining troops to withdraw to the Hôtel de Ville, where Robespierre and his supporters also gathered. The Convention declared them to be outlaws, meaning that upon verification the fugitives could be executed within twenty-four hours without a trial. As the night went on, the forces of the Commune deserted the Hôtel of Ville and, at around two in the morning, those of the Convention under the command of Barras arrived there . Robespierre tried to kill himself with a pistol but only managed to shatter his jaw.For the remainder of the night, Robespierre was moved to a table in the room of the Committee of Public Safety where he awaited execution. He lay on the table bleeding abundantly until a doctor was brought in to fix up his jaw. The next day, 28 July 1794, Robespierre was guillotined without trial in the Place of the Révolution. His brother Augustin, Couthon, Saint-Just, Hanriot and twelve other followers . Only Robespierre was guillotined face-up.Other versions about this classic novel by Baroness Orczy are the following : First and the best in 1939 by Harold Young with Leslie Howard and Leslie Caron ; The Elusive Pimpernel , 1950, by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger with David Niven and Margaret Leighton and made for TV in 1982 by Clive Donner with Anthony Edwards and Jane Seymour and in 1999 with Richard E Grant and Elizabeth McGovern .

A rather tame yet amusing sequel to the Howard/Oberon movie. Sophie Stewart plays Marguerite Blakeney without a vestige of a French accent. Barry Barnes is passable as the eponymous hero. Anthony Bushell repeats his role as Sir Andrew Ffoulkes, and a youthful James Mason plays a minor role with his normal suavity. Raymond Massey is sorely missed as Chauvelin. His place is taken by a somewhat hammy Francis Lister.The whole piece is not so much swash and buckle as tosh and truckle. However it's still enjoyable. What amused me most of all was the casting of the role of Robespierre. A 46 year old Henry Oscar was made up to look an older 56 or so, when he should have been made to look younger. Robespierre was only 36 years old when he went to the guillotine.