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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
This handsomely mounted American-British coproduction (filmed in the picturesque Czech Republic) combines the elegance of British period productions--candlelit glow, gauzy softness, and the hazy atmosphere of light smoke and dust--with the energetic pacing, gliding camera work, and driving editing of American films. The Scarlet Pimpernel, the dashing hero played with zip and gallantry by Richard E. Grant, hides behind his secret identity of British aristocrat Percy Blakeney, society wit and court bon vivant. His callous front is so convincing he even fools his French wife Marguerite (Elizabeth McGovern), who quietly suffers the neglect and scorn of her husband. She has a secret and is soon blackmailed by the head of the French Secret Police, Chauvelin (Martin Shaw), to help track the Pimpernel, but upon discovering her husband's covert identity she risks her life in a desperate trip to England to warn him as Chauvelin's forces close in on them both. Grant cuts a larger-than-life swathe as the swashbuckling hero of the French Revolution and he brings an over-the-top enthusiasm for the calculatedly brazen social antics of Percy; he seems to be having the time of his life in both roles. McGovern's affected performance is less convincing, though she comes to life in the second half when Marguerite exhibits a fierce defiance in the face of sure death. But the show belongs to Grant. With a hearty grin on his face and a glint in his eye, he attacks the role with all the cocky confidence of a 17th-century superhero. --Sean Axmaker
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Highly under rated
This is for my money the definitive Scarlet Pimpernel. Richard E Grant (now surely as famous for his turns as the witch hunter in Warlock & The Doctor in Dr. Who as for his time in Withnail and I) thrives in the role. Here is Richard having fun with the craft as never before; and this excitement and enthusiasm for the written word as well as the project shine in every scene. The chemistry between Chauvelin and our hero is well worth the visit. I was hooked from the first word and can't wait to ... Read More
Rating:  - A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT
I usually love BBC/A&E productions, but was very disappointed by their adaptation of The Scarlet Pimpernel. A mediocre cast and bad lines ruined what could potentially be a wonderfully exciting movie. The man who played Percy showed little emotion, and just didn't suit his role well. There was little chemistry between Percy and his wife, making for a very flat romantic plot in the movie. Though it was only three hours long (very short by BBC standards!), it seemed to be monotonously slow. In my ... Read More
Rating:  - Yuck!
Usually I enjoy A&E's adaptions of novels (notably Ivanhoe, Horatio Hornblower, and Pride and Prejudice), but this version of The Scarlet Pimpernel was such a disappointment! Reasons for this have been given in some of the other reviews: actors didn't seem to fit the roles, or didn't enjoy what they did with the story. I really disagreed with A&E having Percy go to a brothel for info, while at the same time, encouraging his young friend to "enjoy" himself. Quite a dark version. Skip this ... Read More
Rating: - Poor Adaptation
This was the worst version of the Pimpernel I have ever seen. It had poor casting (the actors neither looked their part, or played it very well,) and the story line was nothing like the book. Percy wasn't charming and funny as he should be, Marguerite didn't seem to do her witty lines very well, and Chauvelin was too old and not sinister enough. For any fans of the book, play, or other movies I strongly suggest the 1982 version with Antony Andrews, Jane Seymore, and Sir Ian McKellen. that is the best ... Read More
Rating: - I loved this AandE adaptation
I personally thought that this Pimpernel was masterfully done and had a very good cast. Richard E.Grant's portrayal of Sir Percy was thoroughly good and devilishly clever, and Ms. McGovern's performance as Marguerite St. Just/Lady Blakeney was one of the best that I have seen. And as for Martin Shaw's performance as Paul Chauvelin, I absolutely loved him. So all in all it was and is a splendid adaptation.
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