The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934) on Netflix
In 1792, Sir Percy Blakeney poses as a fop while leading noblemen who rescue French aristocrats from the Reign of Terror. His wife Marguerite is forced to help unmask him.
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Plot summary
A secret band of English noblemen spirits condemned French aristocrats out of revolutionary France, and its leader is known only as the Scarlet Pimpernel. He is Sir Percy Blakeney, a rich baronet who is friendly with the Prince of Wales and who passes himself off as an effete aristocrat. Not even his wife, Marguerite, once a celebrated French actress, suspects the truth. Citizen Chauvelin, France's new ambassador to England, learns that Marguerite's brother, Armand St. Just, works as one of the Pimpernel's agents. He has Armand arrested and threatens to have him executed unless Marguerite helps him uncover who the Pimpernel is. Chauvelin has learned that his quarry will attend an upcoming ball.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Alexander Korda asked Charles Laughton to play Sir Percy Blakeney, but the press announcement drew a negative reaction from the Pimpernel's many fans, who thought the pug-nosed Laughton wrong for the suave role; Korda gave the part to Leslie Howard.
- Alexander Korda told director Rowland Brown he was making the classic like a gangster film; when Brown threatened to walk out, Korda said "Please walk." Brown was replaced by editor-director Harold Young and left unemployed and stranded in England.
