Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Play trailer Poster for The Scarlet Pimpernel 1935 1h 35m Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
90% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 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.

Where to Watch

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Critics Reviews

View All (10) Critics Reviews
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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (129) audience reviews
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 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 Audience Member I LOVED the book and I think that Leslie Howard did a fine job of playing the Scarlet Pimpernel and his silly foppish alter ego Sir Percy Blakeney. His best acting can be seen when those two characters collide. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Scarlet Pimpernel

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All Cast and Crew

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

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
Rough Magic 25% 41% Rough Magic Watchlist The Return of the Musketeers 60% 34% The Return of the Musketeers Watchlist The War Lord 67% 61% The War Lord Watchlist Caravan to Vaccares 0% 20% Caravan to Vaccares Watchlist The Count of Monte Cristo 74% 88% The Count of Monte Cristo Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All The Scarlet Pimpernel photos

The Scarlet Pimpernel

The Scarlet Pimpernel (1935) View more photos

Movie Info

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
Producer
Alexander Korda
Screenwriter
Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Production Co
London Film Productions
Genre
Adventure
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 25, 2018
Runtime
1h 35m
Most Popular at Home Now