The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(3,487 ratings)

This film from director Harold Young is the second big-screen adaptation of Baroness Emmuska Orczy's 1905 novel The Scarlet Pimpernel. Leslie Howard stars as Sir Percy Blakeney, a British aristocrat who rescues innocent victims of the French Revolution under the guise of The Scarlet Pimpernel while… More This film from director Harold Young is the second big-screen adaptation of Baroness Emmuska Orczy's 1905 novel The Scarlet Pimpernel. Leslie Howard stars as Sir Percy Blakeney, a British aristocrat who rescues innocent victims of the French Revolution under the guise of The Scarlet Pimpernel while maintaining the identity of a foppish dandy by day. Even his wife, Lady Marguerite Blakeney (Merle Oberon), is unaware of Percy's heroic alter-ego as he and his band of likeminded masked men save countless people from the guillotine. Perhaps the most famous adaptation of the classic book, The Scarlet Pimpernel would later be lampooned in 1966's Don't Lose Your Head. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Harold Young
Written By: Baroness Emmuska Orczy, Lajos Biró
Genres: Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Classics, Comedy, Documentary, Drama

In Theaters: Feb 7, 1935 Wide
On DVD: Aug 25, 1998
Studio: A & E

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Robust as an action packed hero tale and love story.
Luanne Brown, Chico Enterprise-Record
Howard is fabulously foppish.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Well made and acted but the Anthony Andrews/Jane Seymour version is better.
Marion R

There were no actions scenes, and I was confused as to how Chauvelin found out that Percy was the Scarlet Pimpernel. It's boring and not really worth a watch.
cody f

The Scarlet Pimpernel was the first Batman! Leslie Howard gives a great performance as the Scarlet Pimpernel. He journeys into Revolutionary torn France to help Aristocrats escape the Guillotine and bring them to England. Like Batman he wears disguises, fights against great odds,… More
The Scarlet Pimpernel was the first Batman! Leslie Howard gives a great performance as the Scarlet Pimpernel. He journeys into Revolutionary torn France to help Aristocrats escape the Guillotine and bring them to England. Like Batman he wears disguises, fights against great odds, fearless, and when in England he acts like a dandy.Like Bruce Wayne he plays the rich playboy to the tee. He walks around gossiping, talking about nothing but clothes, and acts the coward. He is so convincing that nobody suspects him, not even his own wife. It looks great and has a great villain in Raymond Massey.
Barry L

Camp as hell but the fight scenes are great

Cast

            Leslie Howard as Scarlet Pimpernel/Sir Percy Blakeney

            Merle Oberon as Marguerite Blakeney

            Raymond Massey as Chauvelin

            Nigel Bruce as Prince of Wales

            O.B. Clarence as Count de Tournay

            Bramwell Fletcher as Priest

            Joan Gardner as Suzanne de Tournay

            Walter Rilia as Armand St. Just

            Anthony Bushell as Sir Andrew Ffoulkes

            Ernest Milton as Robespierre

            John Turnbull as Jellyband

            Melville Cooper as Romney

            Mabel Terry-Lewis as Countess de Tournay

            Edmund Breon as Col. Winterbottom

            Allan Jeayes as Lord Grenville

            Edmund Willard as Bibot

            Bruce Belfrage as Pitt

            A. Bromley Davenport as French Innkeeper

            Derrick De Marney as Members of the Pimpernel League

            Hugh Dempster
            
            Hindle P. Edgar as Lord Wilmot

            Morland Graham as Treadle

            Lawrence Hanray as Burke

            Carl Harbord
            
            Gibb McLaughlin as The Barber

            Gertrude Musgrove as Jellyband's Daughter

            Bill Shine as An Aristocrat

            Philip Strange
            
            Harry Terry as "Renad"

            Peter Evan Thomas
            
            Brember Wills as Doman

            Wiliam Freshman as Lord Hastings

            Renee Macready as Lady Q

            Arthur Hambling as Captain of the Guard

            Kenneth Kove as "Codlin"

            Douglas Stewart as "Merieres"

            Raymod Massey
            
            Walter Rilla
            
See full cast