Overview
A daring nobleman risks everything to save the innocent from the guillotine during a time of chaos.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- rousingly suspenseful
- witty
- romantic
- classic movie night
- period adventure marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a suspenseful, well-mounted period melodrama, especially Anthony Andrews's dual performance and Ian McKellen's subtle antagonist.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sir Percy Blakeney performs the role of a foolish society gentleman while secretly operating as the Scarlet Pimpernel.
Percy's marriage to Marguerite is entangled with her relationships to Chauvelin and revolutionary leaders while aristocrats face execution.
The Pimpernel repeatedly extracts French aristocrats from prisons and imminent guillotine executions.
The production's acclaimed costume and art direction support masquerades, aristocratic society scenes, and revolutionary Paris.
Films like The Scarlet Pimpernel, and why
The Prisoner of Zenda
shared period swashbuckling adventure, secret identity, and romantic melodrama
A Tale of Two Cities
shared French Revolution setting, rescue adventure, political intrigue, and heightened romance
The Man in the Iron Mask
shared lavish period adventure, aristocratic heroism, disguise, and romantic suspense
The Mark of Zorro
shared masked-identity swashbuckling, theatrical melodrama, and noble rescue missions
Movie Details
- Director
- Clive Donner
- Release Date
- 1982-11-09
- Runtime
- 142 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (51)
Cast
- Anthony Andrews
- Jane Seymour
- Ian McKellen
- James Villiers
- Eleanor David
- Malcolm Jamieson
- Denis Lill
- Ann Firbank
- Richard Morant
- Julian Fellowes
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Acorn TV, AcornTV Amazon Channel, IndieFlix, Acorn TV Apple TV channel, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Scarlet Pimpernel about?
- A seemingly frivolous English aristocrat becomes a masked rescuer, risking his marriage and identity to save nobles from revolutionary France.
- What is The Scarlet Pimpernel like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Scarlet Pimpernel as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Scarlet Pimpernel violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Scarlet Pimpernel as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Scarlet Pimpernel?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a suspenseful, well-mounted period melodrama, especially Anthony Andrews's dual performance and Ian McKellen's subtle antagonist.
- Which films are like The Scarlet Pimpernel?
- Films with a similar feel include The Prisoner of Zenda, A Tale of Two Cities, The Man in the Iron Mask, and The Mark of Zorro.
- How long is The Scarlet Pimpernel?
- The Scarlet Pimpernel runs 142 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Scarlet Pimpernel?
- In United States, The Scarlet Pimpernel streams on Acorn TV, AcornTV Amazon Channel, IndieFlix, Acorn TV Apple TV channel, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel.
