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The Scarlet Pimpernel

Play trailer Poster for The Scarlet Pimpernel 1935 1h 35m Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.

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The Scarlet Pimpernel

Critics Reviews

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Forsyth Hardy Cinema Quarterly 02/04/2021
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. Go to Full Review Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy) Esquire Magazine 04/17/2020
British-made, with Leslie Howard in one of his very best performances as the nobleman who risks his neck... Go to Full Review Ann Ross Maclean's Magazine 08/06/2019
British pictures continue to put their best foot forward. Go to Full Review Charles Davy The Spectator 10/04/2018
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. Go to Full Review MFB Critics Monthly Film Bulletin 02/22/2017
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. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 02/04/2010
B
Robust as an action packed hero tale and love story. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Nadine H 02/10/2024 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. See more 11/25/2019 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. See more 06/12/2019 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. See more 01/11/2015 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. See more 06/12/2014 Leslie Howard done such a GREAT job bringing his character to life well done Sir :) See more 05/08/2014 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. See more Read all reviews
The Scarlet Pimpernel

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Cast & Crew

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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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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
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