IMDb RATING
6.0/10
620
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A British aristocrat goes in disguise to France to rescue people from The Terror of the guillotine.A British aristocrat goes in disguise to France to rescue people from The Terror of the guillotine.A British aristocrat goes in disguise to France to rescue people from The Terror of the guillotine.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
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- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDavid Niven was unhappy at being forced to make this film, and later cited this as a reason for severing his contract with Samuel Goldwyn. For a long time Niven had disliked the films he was being cast in by Goldwyn. They had a furious row in which Goldwyn threatened to destroy Niven's career in Hollywood, while Niven accused the producer of making a fortune from him while loaning him cheaply to other film studios.
- Quotes
Prince of Wales: Damn it, Percy! You may be brainless, spineless and useless, but, uh, ha, you do know clothes.
- Alternate versionsBFI Screenonline gives the running time of the British release print as 109 minutes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger (2024)
Featured review
I was surprised that the made for TV version from 1982 was far superior.
Given that "The Elusive Pimpernel" was a Powell-Pressburger production, I expected the film to be top-notch. Instead, sadly, it's just okay...and I really think the made for TV version with Anthony Andrews from 1982 is a much more enjoyable film. Why? Well, I think a lot of the fault is casting David Niven in the lead. While an amazingly good actor, here he just seems way too subdued and his character should have been more foppish and effete.
The story is set during the worst days of the French Revolution. It's the so-called 'Reign of Terror' and the country's bloodlust seems unquenchable. Again and again, aristocrats and their entire families are being beheaded all in the name of justice! The Scarlet Pimpernel and his small group of friends are doing their best to save a few families here and there...and they are as a result, among the country's most wanted men...though their actual identities are unknown.
The story covers most of the basic elements of the book but just feels flat. I think part of it is that the TV film works better because it's longer...and can take a more leisurely pace in covering the material. This and Niven's performance really harm this film...which is watchable but lacking. The same can be said when comparing it to the 1934 Alexander Korda version...one that isn't quite as good as the miniseries but nonetheless is an exceptional film. The leads were better and the story seemed much cleverer and lighthearted.
The story is set during the worst days of the French Revolution. It's the so-called 'Reign of Terror' and the country's bloodlust seems unquenchable. Again and again, aristocrats and their entire families are being beheaded all in the name of justice! The Scarlet Pimpernel and his small group of friends are doing their best to save a few families here and there...and they are as a result, among the country's most wanted men...though their actual identities are unknown.
The story covers most of the basic elements of the book but just feels flat. I think part of it is that the TV film works better because it's longer...and can take a more leisurely pace in covering the material. This and Niven's performance really harm this film...which is watchable but lacking. The same can be said when comparing it to the 1934 Alexander Korda version...one that isn't quite as good as the miniseries but nonetheless is an exceptional film. The leads were better and the story seemed much cleverer and lighthearted.
helpful•32
- planktonrules
- Nov 12, 2023
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Das dunkelrote Siegel
- Filming locations
- 2 Royal Crescent, Bath, Somerset, England, UK(Lady Grenville ball)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 28 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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By what name was The Fighting Pimpernel (1949) officially released in India in English?
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