There have been SO many movies based on this old chestnut. However, I'll bet that none can compare to this classic Alexander Korda version. This is THE version that I like to revisit from time to time because of Leslie Howard's great rendition as the Pimpernel. Howard lives a double life as a ridiculous fop, Sir Percy Blakeney, in the court of England's Prince of Wales (Nigel Bruce) AND as the heroic Scarlet Pimpernel. Under disguise, the Pimpernel runs a gang that rescues French royally from the guillotine—during Robespierre's Terror (of the French Revolution). Blakeny's wife (Merle Oberon) is unaware of her husband's double life and can't understand his inattentiveness to her. The villain of this work is citizen Chauvelin aptly played by Raymond Massey. Massey's part also has a double role as a English ambassador to France and an agent of Robespierre whose mission is to find and trap that "That damned elusive Pimpernel." I love Howard in this role. I always find Merele Oberon's voice grating (and there is no exception here). But, all in all, this production is a classic movie of a classic novel.

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.

In the year 1789 the impoverish people of France, had had enough of royal ambivalence stemming from the boorish French upper class. In that year a revolution erupted, killing thousands of aristocratic families. Unquenched and unabated, this murderous rampage created a Reign of Terror, that also included many others not of royal blood. In this movie, based on a play written by Montagu Barstow and Baroness Emmuska, a dashing and daring individual attempts to save dozen of aristocratic families from the murderous machine called the Guillotine. This early Black and White film is called " The Scarlet Pimpernal " and has Leslie Howard (supurb casting) playing the foppish, yet secretly dashing Sir Percy Blakeney. While Chauvelin (Raymond Massey) his main rival as the Ambasador of France, tried to capture Sir Percy, it's nearly impossible as the action hero wears many disguises and is admired by the people of England. The movie is a good adaption of the early play, but no less exciting. A fun film for the entire family who's interested in real drama instead of CGI and mindless explosions and killings. ****

This is a delightful movie. I wish someone would digitally remaster it somehow, though. I have it on DVD, but it shows its age with blips and skips. The volume varies, too. The important thing is, despite that, this is one enjoyable film. It has everything -- adventure, humor, romance, history. I love it. Merle Oberon is at her most devastatingly beautiful here. Her character is being painted by Romney in her first scene and it just doesn't seem possible that one woman could be so beautiful -- but she is. Some other foolish reviewer, Ingenlode Wordmith, said Merle Oberon was no raving beauty by today's standards. That reviewer should seek help from an optometrist quickly. I recommend this movie highly. It has a perfect balance of comedy, suspense, and drama. None, and I mean none, of the remakes comes close to touching this version.