part 8 - scarlet pimpernel

half way done

[@archangelmusic13]

really love this version, and jane seymour is beautiful as always, all the actors are great in this.

[@erpollock]

Notice how with each step Percy takes toward Marguerite's boudoir, there is an accompanying unnoticeable drumbeat. I salute the orchestrator!

[@erpollock]

Notice how just as Chauvelin drives away and Percy rides up and sees him, saluting him formally - the music turns to a sinister fugue. The composer used the fugue skillfully to emphasize dramatic points. I salute the composer! Also, what makes this scene so perfect is the casting of Jane Seymour opposite Ian McKellan. She has strength equal to his, and counters each of his "impertinences" with a sharp line of her own. Salute to casting director and writers!

[@erpollock]

Also, his suspicion softens when he sees how beautiful she is in the mirror, and even places his hand on her shoulder. He is on the verge of giving way to his affection. Then when she asks whether Foullkes might not be the Scarlet Pimpernel, he hardens against her once again. There are so many subtle points in their interaction.

[@rowanaforrest9792]

And then she lies about not having seen Chauvelin in London. We know why she lied, but to Percy it looks highly suspicious. It was such a relief when Percy finally learns the truth, that he can trust his wife after all.

[@erpollock]

In the first film of 1934, Marguerite was played as vulnerable and feminine, in need of protection. That was the beautiful Merle Oberon. What a difference 50 years makes! The Marguerite of 1982 is sharp and as clever as the book claimed. She answers Chauvelin with strength and conviction. She is not a shrinking violet, by no means. But just as effective as Merle Oberon if not more so.

[@erpollock]

Anthony Andrews is a consummate actor. "If anyone's going to catch the Scarlet Pimpernel, it will not be Chauvelin." He doesn't just speak that line, he subtly communicates disdain, contempt for the "rival". The emphasis is on "not".

[@rachelf5466]

I always felt like the emphasis on "not" communicated his worry that Marguerite would figure out that he was the Scarlet Pimpernel and betray him. He briefly betrays his fear of her and her true allegiances

[@erpollock]

The look on Percy's face as he sees Chauvelin just come from visiting Marguerite is priceless. Suspicion!

[@ElaineMorgan1967]

I am very pleased to see this movie again . My many thanks .

[@texasgirl2299]

Its hard to watch Margurite's pain, but I think Percy's pain is 100x greater. :(

[@Lifeisshort214]

I liked this version better than the mini-series because it shows the begining of Percy and marguriette as a happy couple before their estrangement. I think it makes scenes like this one more moving and sad. I spend so much of the movie yelling at Percy to just come out and ask her what happened. I loved the scene when she figures out he's the pimpernel.

[@tkegal]

In the book, Percy's love was even more romantic. In the scene after they have a confrontation and as she runs away, he kisses every place where her hands had touched and every footstep she had taken. I wished that had been in this movie. (:

[@Tatiana_Palii]

No-no-no... Sink me, I don't think it is romantic at all (picnic combined with saving operation was far more interesting) and for me it feels a bit OOC (for Anthony Andrews' Percy, at least). Maybe in some other SP movie it would look better :)

[@tommymacfisher443]

Buu

[@missmabel]

I remember that scene very clearly, in the book it was very romantic. But I think upon film it would looks ridiculous. (As it would in real life.) Some things are better left on the page. :-)

[@Shaunic_the_hedgehog]

Jane Seymour is seriously like Scarlet O'Hara brought right out of the book!

[@14hoursahead]

I keep replaying the scenes in which he uses his real voice, it sounds lovely after hearing him drawl out mean things to his wife

[@irishlady57]

Andrews has eyes a girl could get lost in.

[@ap96lover]

all the girls crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man. Percy is sooooo nicely dressed.

[@andrielisilien]

3:35 a fly just flew into his eye right there and yet he carried on his part LOL that's good acting right there XD

[@irishnessie]

Okay now I definitely need to read the book. I'm not really an avid reader, but this movie has changed my mind. And the guy who plays Percy is really hot xD

[@MissJJoan]

Yes do read it, if you haven't done so already, the book is wonderful too!

[@shoshannaweinstein7193]

+All the Usernames were taken So, yeah It is based off of the first book- The Scarlet Pimpernel and The Elusive Pimpernel. Both are great, but you only need to read the first one-it's most of the movie.

[@cutensweet1238]

well ive already read the book you sure should too

[@nataliet3720]

Ian is so good in this, love it!

[@1Altair]

2:30 I believe Orczy's Blakeney would never have talked like that to his wife. Still, a very charming Percy...

[@skulblaka92]

Ooooooh yes! If anyone can live up to the role I believe it'd be Tom Hiddleston. I think someone else would be better for Marguerite though, not sure who.

[@Silvia1826]

@wincipoet I think Malcolm Jamieson plays Armand in The Scarlet Pimpernel.

[@lbird8794]

thanks for posting! But, I wonder.....is that a bug crawling across her shoulder (the part closest to the camera) at 8:28? Or am I seeing things?

[@olivialim7541]

i almost cried when he said that

[@erpollock]

Note that in the scene by the doorway when he rejects her, he knows she's been seeing Chauvelin while he was in Dover with Armand, and he can never trust her. And she lied about it! So he will have nothing to do with her except for the public formalities.

[@awsomegirl5057]

If they made a remake of this movie Tom Hiddleston would be Percy and Rose Byrne would be Marguerite

[@tomescuandreea]

You just read my mind on the male casting. Tom would be awesome.

[@rubix4195]

I would have said Susannah Fielding but they both got history. XD

[@aspenostrom4015]

They completely left out "The Fisherman's Rest" o.o

[@cutensweet1238]

ikr

[@Tatiana_Palii]

When Percy dressed up as a Jew and let them beat him? It was an astonishingly antisemitic plotline, the book was ruined for me after reading it, and I'm sooo glad it wasn't in the film, it would be crazily anachronistic and disgusting for today's viewers.

[@coralroper6876]

This is what becomes of not communicating.

[@Tatiana_Palii]

Coral Roper YES! Very accurately portayed - and that's the number one reason why I love this film.

[@diktatoralexander88]

1:20 What was the point of that fight scene?

[@ulie77]

+Diktator Alexander He's angry at her for sending an entire family to the guillotine.

[@promiseofspring94]

Actually when she's talking about the guillotined man's family (Don't know how to spell his name - Marquis De Sanseur or something) her voice reminds me of Julie Andrews. Especially as she says "Marquis De Sanseur and his family". :)

[@mellaniecrowther-hr4cg]

Marquis de St. Cyr

[@barnabasfrid]

@Lifeisshort214 I like this version better because it contains JAMES VILLIERS Ahoy!

[@Callethiel]

Nah, I can't really see Johnny Depp as Percy... I don't think it really fits him. Personally, I think that if they remake it they should have Tom Hiddleston play Percy. As for Scarlett Johansson.... lemme think on that.

[@cutensweet1238]

johnny depp could be a good chauvlein i guess

[@koppsr]

they should remake this^^ with bigger budget for the even bigger screen :) i mean why not, holy-crapwood-productions already give a flying donut about historical accuracy, so why not making something entertaining without too much gore, rape or slow-mo-blood-dripping!^^

[@kimkimery5278]

Agreed.

[@Fujikorific]

@MicroShaughft Seems like Jane is too beautiful to be Scarlett...but then again, so was Viv.

[@Reshme77]

marriage is the hardest thing in the world,

[@olivialim7541]

hmm i think jeremy renner would make a great percy blakeney