BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Kidskycom It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

Frances Chung Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Ella-May O'Brien Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

ma-cortes Adventures based on Baroness Orczy's famous novels about wealthy Chamaleon aristocrat who is not the fool he seems and confounds the French revolutionaries ; indeed , he masquerades as the daring adventurer , the soldier of fortune and rescuer of those persecuted by the French Revolution and the guillotines . Exciting exploits set on the Reign of Terror with Sir Percy Blackeney against a sinister Chauvelin , while the French Republicans seek him , there and everywhere . This is one of the innumerable versions of the much-filmed adventure classic with the immortal hero named Scarlet pimpernel ( Anthony Andrews), 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 ( 1792 ) . This time the terrible Committee of Public Safety assigns to Chauvelin the mission to track down Pimpernel in England . As Chauvelin ( ideal baddie cast Ian McKellen ) travels towards England where resides Percy and his wife ( Jane Seymour ) who was once involved with Chauvelin . The astute Chauvelin attempts to discover the rogue's identity and involve Percy's French wife Marguerite in his scheme , furthermore is plotting to win back his previous love . Pimpernel returns to Paris and then Sir Percy hides his activities under various guises . Pimpernel and wife head to France to save the son of the king from the clutches of Saint Just . Then Scarlet gets trapped , so quite a lot of rescuing needs to be freed . 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.Anthony Andrews plays it to perfection , fitting the role like elegant glove , he does a dashing hero leading several characters and posing as an officer , pauper old woman or revolutionary . Andrews match up efficiently to the popular conception of the Pimpernel who remains the archetypal acting , catching exactly the false foppishness as well as the mythical qualities which make the personage seem so invincible .In the film appears historical characters as Saint Just , Fouche and Robespierre and is developed an intrigue about the little boy prince Louis XVII , guillotined king Louis XVI's son . This lavish production results to be a good TV adaptation with spectacular production design , 18th Century costumes , intrigue , damsels in disgrace , nice scenarios and the impressive sets , too , are superb . Stellar cast plenty of known actors with Jane Seymour ,Ian McKellen and James Villiers. This is almost as good as the classic rendition and being stunningly directed by Clive Donner .Other versions about the supposed dandy of the English court who assumes the identity of foppish Sir Percy in order to outwit the French republicans and aid innocent aristocrats and based on classic novels by Baroness Orczy are the following : First and the best swashbuckling vintage (1939) produced by London Films and directed by Harold Young with Leslie Howard and Leslie Caron ; The Elusive Pimpernel (1950) by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger with David Niven , Cryl Cusack and Margaret Leighton and TV series( 1999 ) by Patrick Lau with Richard E Grant and Elizabeth McGovern and another series (1955) starred by Marius Goring as Sir Percy , the Scarlet Pimpernel .

poinciana Why did I not know about Anthony Andrews?! He is completely fantastic! Very believable as Sir Percy. His performance is both hilarious and touching. I did also enjoy Jane Seymour, but for me, it was all about Andrews. I watched a borrowed VHS tape several times, and sink me if I didn't go and order my own DVD, what! I also bought the 1982 version of Ivanhoe starring Anthony Andrews sight unseen based on his performance in The Scarlet Pimpernel. The version with Leslie Howard bored me out of the gate, and I had written off our dear Pimpernel until I was introduced to this version. I was also moved to go and read the book. "This beholder is enchanted"!

slothropgr GORGEOUS. That goes for the production, Anthony Andrews, and especially Jane Seymour, who by the evidence of this movie was the most beautiful woman in the world--or at least in the movies (still is, as far as I'm concerned). Andrews is letter perfect, handles the dual roles far better than Leslie Howard or Richard Grant, both of whom did the Blakeney fine but fell short as the Pimp. But the real star of the movie is Sir Ian as Chauvelin. Twitchy, repressed, jealous, outraged, and with absolutely no sense of humor, a perfect foil for both Sir Percy and the Pimp. And even attractive enough to justify Marguerite's prior interest in him (prior to meeting Sir P, that is). I'd give it a 10 except for the story, which requires acceptance of some serious stretches of the imagination. The script works like hell to justify Percy's keeping his secret identity from his new wife without appearing a bounder, but doesn't quite manage it. I mean, Clark would sure as heck tell Lois. This focuses in a scene that I can NOT accept period: where Percy stands directly behind Marguerite whispering to her, and she doesn't recognize him! Sorry, it just won't float, especially in a script as witty and fleet-footed as this one. One of the best bosh-swucklers of all time. Oh, and watch Julian Fellowes who plays the Prince of Whales--he wrote the screenplay for Altman's "Gosford Park."

Dave from Ottawa Finally available on DVD is this excellent made-for-TV version of the great classic romance by Baroness Orczy. It is arguably the definitive telling of the tale, (superior even to the better known 1935 version with Leslie Howard) with its grand sets and sharply, intimate moments. Beautiful production design and great costuming convincingly pull the viewer into post-revolutionary France, there to be captivated by a young and beautiful Jane Seymour and handsome Anthony Andrews, perfectly cast as lovers held apart by a mysterious secret: Andrews' double life as the daring Scarlet Pimpernel! A memorable heroic fantasy and classic romance.