The Scarlet Pimpernel

1935

1h 35m

Adventure

List

90%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

75%

Audience Score

2,500+ Ratings

At the heart of the French Revolution, effete aristocrat Sir Percy Blakeney (Leslie Howard) is secretly the Scarlet Pimpernel, leading an underground group dedicated to freeing nobles from the brutal Robespierre. Blakeney plays his part so well that even his own wife, Marguerite (Merle Oberon), doesn't suspect him. Robespierre's agent, Chauvelin (Raymond Massey), learns that Marguerite's brother is one of the Pimpernel's group, and she begins working unknowingly to destroy her own husband.

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Forsyth Hardy

Cinema Quarterly

Were it not for the polished acting, particularly of Leslie Howard, fallow patches, occasionally apparent, would be more plainly revealed; but Howard is studied, resourceful and charming, his timing perfect as always.

Feb 4, 2021

Full Review

Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy)

Esquire Magazine

British-made, with Leslie Howard in one of his very best performances as the nobleman who risks his neck...

Apr 17, 2020

Full Review

Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

British pictures continue to put their best foot forward.

Aug 6, 2019

Full Review

Charles Davy

The Spectator

The acting, too, is an effective blend of easy polish and truculent vigour; and Leslie Howard gives a quite excellent rendering of the Pimpernel, particularly in his scenes with Lady Blakeney.

Oct 4, 2018

Full Review

MFB Critics

Monthly Film Bulletin

Those who want a story of romance and adventure will not be disappointed. The Scarlet Pimpernel lives, the life in England and France are convincingly represented, and the suspense is maintained through-out.

Feb 22, 2017

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Robust as an action packed hero tale and love story.

Rated: B

Feb 4, 2010

Full Review

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Nadine H

Maybe the best swashbuckler ever made. Leslie Howard is about as perfect as an actor can be. Rollickingly enjoyable from start to finish. A masterpiece.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

Audience Member

One of my favorite films filled with adventure, romance, history, and heart. Excellent performances, especially by Leslie Howard, and the sets couldn't be better. Some say the Scarlet Pimpernel is the character that Zorro and Batman were later based on.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A classic film, shot in England with an all-English cast. Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon carry this one well. Both actors became Hollywood stars.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a charming cheeky film about the infamous Scarlet Pimpernel who is an Englishman who was smuggling aristocrats who where up the guillotine. This film is glued together by a great script & a delicious performance by Leslie Howard who does a great job wit the wit of the great script. This film has a bit of everything: romance, gun & treason. It's a fun light film that's a key classic before the many remakes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

kevin w

An Englishman, some lord or something, shoots over to France in secret and frees French nobility on their way to Madame Guillotine. I was confused as to the politics (weren't these the "let them eat cake" crowd, the ones who dressed and ate good while the common populace starved? Why are we saving them? Off with their heads! ... but I digress) but it's an adventure tale so history's not too important compared with thrills. The thrill here is not in any swashbuckling derring-do, though that might've been nice, but rather watching the Pimpernel's Clark Kent persona infuriate the elitist yokels with wit and subterfuge. To that cause Leslie Howard ("Ashley" of GWTW fame) is well suited, and it becomes the reason for the whole movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Leslie Howard done such a GREAT job bringing his character to life well done Sir :)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

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Harold Young

Director

Leslie Howard

Sir Percy Blakeney

Merle Oberon

Lady Blakeney

Raymond Massey

Chauvelin

Nigel Bruce

The Prince of Wales

Bramwell Fletcher

The Priest

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Synopsis

At the heart of the French Revolution, effete aristocrat Sir Percy Blakeney (Leslie Howard) is secretly the Scarlet Pimpernel, leading an underground group dedicated to freeing nobles from the brutal Robespierre. Blakeney plays his part so well that even his own wife, Marguerite (Merle Oberon), doesn't suspect him. Robespierre's agent, Chauvelin (Raymond Massey), learns that Marguerite's brother is one of the Pimpernel's group, and she begins working unknowingly to destroy her own husband.

Director: Harold Young
Screenwriter: Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Production Co: London Film Productions
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 25, 2018
Runtime: 1h 35m

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