This is the first and the best swashbuckling vintage (1939) produced by London Films and directed by Harold Young with Leslie Howard and Leslie Caron . Adventures based on Baroness Orczy's famous novels with screenplay by the usual Lajos Biró about wealthy Chamaleon man , an 18th century English aristocrat who leads a double life , Leslie Howard plays perfectly Sir Percy Blakeney , as he 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 and only one man who is seemingly able to save them . Exciting exploits set on the Reign of Terror with Sir Percy Blackeney , a humble wayside flower , who married the lovely stage actress Marguerite , Leslie Caron , and appears to be merely the effete aristocrat against a sinister Chauvelin , Raymond Massey , 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 whose true identity is known only to a very few, 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 Massey) travels towards England where resides Percy and his wife who was once involved with Chauvelin . The astute Chauvelin attempts to discover the rogue's identity and involve Percy's French wife in his scheme , and will use any means, including threats to Marguerite , furthermore is plotting to win back his previous love . Pimpernel returns to Paris and then Sir Percy hides his activities under various guises . Pimpernel heads to France to save aristos from the clutches of guillotine . Then Marguerite gets trapped , so she 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.
Leslie Howard 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 . Leslie 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 . It packs luxurious scenarios , beautiful gowns , and good acting from main and secondary cast . In the film appears historical characters as Prince of Wales , Saint Just , and Robespierre and is developed an exciting intrigue . This big-budgeted production results to be a good 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 prestigious actors as Raymond Massey , Merle Oberon , Anthony Bushell , Walter Rilla and the sympathetic Nigel Bruce , immortal Watson . Atmospheric musical compositions by the classic Arthur Benjamin and evocative cinematography in dated black and white by Harold Rosson . Spectacular Set Decoration and settings by Vincent Korda , Alexander's brother . This one being stunningly directed by Harold Young and lavishly produced by Alexander Korda and his London Film Productions .
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 silent version (1923) titled I Will Repay by Henry Kolker ; 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 , and Scarlet Pimpernel (1982) (TV) is almost as good as the classic rendition , being made by Clive Donner with Anthony Andrews , Jane Seymour and Ian McKellen as his nemesis Chauvelin, the head of state security.
Leslie Howard 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 . Leslie 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 . It packs luxurious scenarios , beautiful gowns , and good acting from main and secondary cast . In the film appears historical characters as Prince of Wales , Saint Just , and Robespierre and is developed an exciting intrigue . This big-budgeted production results to be a good 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 prestigious actors as Raymond Massey , Merle Oberon , Anthony Bushell , Walter Rilla and the sympathetic Nigel Bruce , immortal Watson . Atmospheric musical compositions by the classic Arthur Benjamin and evocative cinematography in dated black and white by Harold Rosson . Spectacular Set Decoration and settings by Vincent Korda , Alexander's brother . This one being stunningly directed by Harold Young and lavishly produced by Alexander Korda and his London Film Productions .
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 silent version (1923) titled I Will Repay by Henry Kolker ; 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 , and Scarlet Pimpernel (1982) (TV) is almost as good as the classic rendition , being made by Clive Donner with Anthony Andrews , Jane Seymour and Ian McKellen as his nemesis Chauvelin, the head of state security.