This blog is about revisiting some lesser-known, less appreciated gems, as well as reevaluating just why I love them so much.
First up, The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982). Both the book and various films are good, if different, but the 1982 version is my favorite.
Quick summary: Sir Percy Blakeney (Anthony Andrews) is a heroic rescuer of rich people in France but disguises himself as a ditzy Englishman who only cares about clothes. The evil Chauvelin (Sir Ian McKellen) tries to catch him, and Sir Percy's wife Marguerite (Jane Seymour) complicates things.
The story takes place during the French Revolution, which seems to mostly have consisted of French peasants sitting around watching beheadings of rich people for fun. Sounds like an OWS dream or nightmare, depending on your perspective.
The imprisoned rich people are all worried about dying, and a worried father pleads for the life of his family. A priest comes over and tells him not to worry, and the father's like, "Don't worry? The poor people have taken over and are killing all the rich people! Guess what? I'm RICH!"
It all works out in the end, though, because the priest was actually a disguised underling for the heroic Scarlet Pimpernel, who smuggles the family out in coffins.
The above-pictured Scarlet Pimpernel is actually Sir Percy Blakeney, who pretends to be a foppish dandy who is famous in upper-class circles for his witty poem:
"They seek him here, they seek him there.
Those Frenchies seek him everywhere.
Is he in heaven? Or is he in hell?
That damned, elusive Pimpernel."
Everyone applauds. It's kinda cute the way he laughs hilariously at his own wit, while everyone else laughs because he's stupid.
After rescuing her brother during a dark and action-packed scene, Percy is introduced to Marguerite St. Just, a beautiful actress. He falls in love, but Marguerite is already somewhat attached to the strange Chauvelin. The relationship between Marguerite and Chauvelin mainly consists of him breathing on her and her giving an "I'm putting up with you until something better comes along" sort of look, and that's when Sir Percy steps in!
By acting like an idiot, Percy makes Chauvelin look foolish somehow and Marguerite absolutely adores it. (Does criticizing someone to their face actually charm women?) However, Chauvelin is all into the beheading rich people craze, so we're ok with Marguerite abandoning him. I mean, the guy deserves it.
Percy and Marguerite date for a while, though Percy uses their outings to secretly smuggle rich people to safety. We know he's really in love with her, though, because there's exchanges like:
Sir Percy: You're super hot.
Marguerite: No, I'm not! You're being stupid.
Sir Percy: Whatever you say, as long as I get to kiss you.
Marguerite: Oh, Percy, I love you!
Chauvelin gets jealous. I actually feel really sorry for him throughout the movie. He's losing to a fashonista with the wit of a kindergartener. Poor guy. He doesn't know Percy is actually the genius Scarlet Pimpernel, so of course he's going to lose!
When Percy and Marguerite marry, there's this whole complicated thing going on that's basically a lesson about gossiping. Chauvelin tries to get Marguerite to betray some friend to the police, but Marguerite refuses. Chauvelin gets mad and goes to the police himself, getting the friend arrested. He tells everyone Marguerite was the one who turned the friend in, and Percy believes him.
So, the whole first year or so of Percy and Marguerite's marriage consists of her adoring him and him stonily ignoring her. It's a tear-jerker.
You can't totally blame Percy, though, because when Marguerite's confronted with the accusation, she refuses to say anything on the subject, making her look mega guilty! If I was Percy, I'd think she'd done it, too.
I won't give away the ending, though it's not like there's a huge twist or anything, but I feel like people don't bother to watch/read anything if they already know the ending. It's good, though. There's a sword duel, a castle... and almost no Marguerite (I have to admit I'm not a fan of the character -- she seems a bit too shallow for a supposed genius' love interest)!
The Scarlet Pimpernel is a good movie. It's a little cheesy and the music is terrible, but the characters are funny and the plot is interesting. Plus, the cheesiness just makes it that much more lovable!
Sink me, I'm a sucker for period pieces about rich people! (See, The Count of Monte Cristo, Emma, The Sound of Music, The King's Speech)
That's it for my ramblings for today. And if you skipped over the whole post and just want the main message: Watch The Scarlet Pimpernel!
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