Rating: 
Summary: The Best of them all!!!!!!
Review: Having seen all of the "Pimpernels", there can be only one! Anthony Andrews comes across as the most viable actor to ever play a "dual role" in drama. He has "Sir Percy" down to the absolute vision as we here in the "Colonies" see the Royalty of that time period! What an incredible effort in acting. He has the attributes of a fine leading man, and the talent to pull off the visual effect of a "perfect FOP". Would like to see more of him altho time marches on and so do good role possibilities. If anyone has not seen any Pimpernel"s, THIS ONE IS THE ONE TO BUY!!!!
Rating:
Summary: The best version out there
Review: I have watched this miniseries several DOZEN times. I never tire of it. Jane Seymour has never looked or acted better, and the same can be said of the wonderful Anthony Andrews.The lavish production is a feast for the eyes, the romance tears your heart out, the mystery makes you think, the action scenes make you cringe. Television movies have never been better. FYI: If you enjoy Seymour and Andrews in this, check out The Woman He Loved, a TV movie they made five years after Pimpernel. It's about King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson.
Rating:
Summary: Got It All!
Review: It is funny, fast-paced, racy, educational, touching, and a surprize ending to boot. Watch it with the whole family, or a favorite someone. Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour are superb as the Lord and Lady Blakney. You'll want to watch it every year. We do!
Rating:
Summary: Better Each Time
Review: It's the type of movie that I always expect to be entertaining, but not really 'great.' And every time I see it I find myself wrong. This is THE BEST adaptation of the Pimpernel. Other films have gotten some elements right but not others; this one bags them all (except that I still prefer the most recent version's interpretation of Robespierre, he's priceless). Anthony Andrews is the definitive Sir Percy: hilarious at parties, charismatic in battle, irresistable in love, and unrecognizable in every disguise. Jane Seymour is perfectly lovestruck and intense, and Ian McKellan as Chauvelin shows a man being eaten alive by jealousy. All the portrayals are larger-than-life, but suitably so, for the film has no place for realism. Scenes swing from very funny to almost painfully tense to heart-stoppingly romantic. This production hits every note right (although I wish someone would assasinate that hateful blond child). Not to be missed, definately. So why can't I buy it, I've been trying for a year now? Let's hurry up the DVD.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite movies!!!!!
Review: I was a little skeptical watching this movie at first just because I saw the latest adaption of this classic and wasn't thoroughly impressed. Though this adaption isn't %100 true to the book, I absolutely loved it!!!! Anthony Andrews was dashing and handsome as Sir Percy/Scarlet Pimpernel and Jane Seymour was beautiful as his wife Marguerite. The costumes and settings in this movie were beautiful and the acting was superb. I loved every moment of this movie. For those of you who have not read the book, let me just say that this adaption puts the classic novel and one of its many sequels (Eldorado) together. This movie is for those who have and have not read the book, everyone will enjoy it, I promise. Though, if you have not had the chance, go and read the book. It's one of my favorites and is also filled with romance, intrigue and adventure.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Adored It!!
Review: I can't believe they stopped making this movie. Truely, what a loss. Jane Seymore (sp?) was as precious as ever, and there couldn't be a better Sir Percy than that of Anthony Andrews. The intensity of passion between these two lights the screen on flame. I am a very big fan of Baroness Orczy's works and this is my favorite reproduction.
Rating:
Summary: "Unchecked, his ... success could undermine the revolution"
Review: This is one of my favorite films. As of the time of this writing, this production is out of stock in its VHS format at Amazon - and I'm sure I know why it's out of stock - it's excellent. It's often called an "action-packed adventure". I wouldn't call it that. It's more of a romantic adventure filled with the style of guerilla warfare that involves strategizing, social infiltration, and intelligence (as in "military intelligence"). There's all of one significant swordfight, with more plot development and dialogue than average, and less running and chasing. In other words, it's intellectually engaging and entertaining rather than edge-of-your-seat anxiety. And personally, I find that very refreshing, different, and satisfying. Sir Anthony Andrews (Brideshead Revisited, Hanna's War, Danielle Steel's 'Jewels') is Sir Percy Blakeney, a very wealthy British aristocrat who is well connected socially and politically in England, but is well known as a "fop" - a fool, a silly sort of party animal who enjoys joking at parties and discussing fashion, but not much else. But secretly, he is the Scarlet Pimpernel, the secret leader of an underground movement to free innocent victims of the new French Republic's "Reign of Terror", a very true and significant period of European history. A brilliant strategist and skilled swordsman, Blakeney (the Pimpernel) takes advantage of his wealth and connections to identify and rescue French aristocrats slated for beheading. Employing creative techniques, he infiltrates, smuggles, invades, destabilizes, and otherwise thwarts the efforts of the French Republic in a guerilla-style war. Jane Seymour (Live and Let Die, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman) is Marguerite, a popular French actress with a thriving career in Paris, but mixed emotions about the new government. She is famous throughout Europe and loved by all, but savvy enough to realize that people who make overtures to her cannot all be trusted. Ian McKellen (X-Men, Lord of the Rings, Cold Comfort Farm) plays Chauvelin, an aspiring political leader of the Republic. His long-standing relationship with Marguerite appears headed for marriage, but Marguerite is unsure about Chauvelin's commitment to the increasingly violent Republic. The film opens when Blakeney discovers Marguerite's brother, injured from an attack, late at night on the streets of Paris, and delivers him safely to her, when they meet for the first time. It's love at first site, and Blakeney cleverly maintains his foppish cover and conceals his heroic alter ego while still courting Marguerite, and brilliantly sweeping her off of her feet - which is a process that is convincing and fascinating all by itself. On the night of their wedding, Blakeney receives some intelligence that mistakenly leads him to believe that Marguerite has been quietly opposing the political goals of his own secret underground. Thus begins a tension-filled marriage in which Blakeney must conceal his work with the underground from his own wife while maintaining his foppish reputation. Meanwhile, the spurned Chauvelin secretly uses threats and attempted blackmail to force Marguerite into helping Chauvelin root out the Pimpernel and the underground network. Marguerite, having no idea that her husband is "that elusive Pimpernel", is reluctant to seek assistance from her foppish mate, whose pre-marriage romantic overtures have completely stopped as he has grown distant, and she is torn, creating many interesting scenarios and twists in the plot. All of this takes place against the backdrop of one of the most interesting and important times in world history. The story is brilliant, the plot completely believable, and the brilliant strategies used by the Pimpernel are surprisingly unique and convincing. I had heard of this story for years but knew nothing about it until I saw this film, and have absolutely loved it ever since. I've seen the film about a dozen times, and it's textures and complex interrelationships are fascinating every time. Beware of other productions - I saw the Broadway version of this story at the Kennedy Center, and it was a complete waste of money. That production misses the point - spending far too much time on the foppish nature of Blakeney's public persona, and ignoring much of the heroic adventures and brilliant strategy of the Pimpernel. I've never seen the old Leslie Howard (Gone With The Wind) version. As far as family viewing, note that this movie portrays some severed heads that result from the guillotine, but they aren't graphic in nature, and are extremely relevant to the story. There are also one or two uses of the most minor of foul language ("d---ed" as an adjective). My guess is that this video would rate no more than a "PG", and I've even seen some films rated "G" that are worse. On the other hand, the film actually demonstrates great examples of loyalty, commitment, and patriotism, and is a tremendously uplifting film with good character and morals combating evil in a positive fashion. And it's just fun to watch. There are some very funny scenes, riveting moments, and classic lines, as well as intriguing plot turns. In short, it's a very good film that I liked enough to watch many times. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Funny, romantic and moving - SENSATIONAL!!
Review: This is a phenomenal rendition of a classic novel - Anthony Andrews is brilliant as the Scarlet Pimpernel - playing both the fop and the dashing hero with equal panache and talent! Jane Seymour is intelligent and beautiful - utterly convincing as Margeurite! And, Ian MacKellen gives a wonderfully human portrayl of the arch-villain Chauvelin! A MUST SEE - and a MUST RE-SEE! I have watched this film dozens of times and highly recommend it to all comers! I only hope it will be coming out on DVD!
Rating:
Summary: I Heart This Movie
Review: Am I a cheeseball? Yes. But this movie is just so wonderful. and this is the best version of the story. The actor who plays Percy is so good! *sigh*
Rating:
Summary: Seek the Pimpernel no further!
Review: As other actors have been deemed "the" quintessential actor for such and such a character, I have to say that Anthony Andrews certainly earns his place here as Sir Percy Blakeney, aka the "Scarlet Pimpernel". Not only is he excellent as the "fop", but his character shifts effortlessly to fit into each of the three disguises Percy dons to aid the French aristocrats in escaping their fate at the hands of the new French Republic and the dreaded guillotine. Equally as impressive are Jane Seymour as the beautiful but conflicted heroine Marguerite and Ian McKellen as the ever sinister agent Chauvelin, set to hunt down the elusive Pimpernel once and for all. The blending of the two stories (the original novel and one of its many sequels, "Eldorado") makes for an excellent and thrilling plot. One not to be missed!
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