Rating: Summary: Swashbuckling & chemistry Review: Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour portray the mixed emotions of love and assumed betrayal with more chemistry than any other "SP" I've seen (and I've viewed four different versions). I've watched this version 30+ times and still love every minute. It's also a popular "borrowing" movie for my friends and family to watch. Guys love the disguises, intrigue and sword play, Gals love the romance, Kids love the action, and they're all learning a little bit of history of the French Revolution. Great movie!
Rating: Summary: A Must for All Pimpernell Fans!!! Review: I was very skeptical when i viewed this for the first time in my french class. I own the much earlier classic starring Leslie Howard, Merle Oberlon, and Raymond Massey. I didn't think that their portrayl of the charcters could be surpassed. I was 2/3 wrong. Anthony Andrews IS the Scarlett Pimpernell. He plays the part to perfection! From his exclaimations of "Sink me!" to his comedic recital of "They Seek Him Here", Andrews absolutely turns out the best portrait of the Pimpernell. He sticks much closer to the book's description and treatment of Percy than others before him have. Ian McKellan plays the villain Chauvlain almost with tounge in cheek. His pure befuddlment as the Pimpernell out does him time and time again is magic! His sulking and especially his reaction in the final scene of the film provides McKellan with quite a bit to work with-which he does beautifully. Jane Seymour, once again, proves to filmdom that she can not act. All of her scenes are played as though she were a figurine of cardboard. Even the study scene, where she discovers who her huband truly is, was badly hurt by her stiff, unemotional performance. The only blur in a gem of a picture!
Rating: Summary: The Best Scarlet Pimpernel Review: I think I have seen the Leslie Howard version, but since seeing this one first, cannot prefer another. Jane Seymour and Anthony Andrews are superb as Marguerite and Percy, and their acting is beautiful to watch. They are dashing, passionate, and Andrews is excellent as the dashing hero and master of disguises. Ian McKellan here, the first time I ever saw him, expresses Chauvelin's longing and discomfort to a T. We have watched our VHS tape over and over for years, never tiring of it! Waiting for this to appear on DVD, so it won't wear out as easy. The music and filming is also very good. This series "Literary Masterpieces" is well done, and I would also strongly recommend their "Tale of Two Cities" with Chris Sarandon.
Rating: Summary: DVD Someday? Review: Odds fish m'dear... this is THE defacto Pimpernel adventure! Sir Ian McKellan, Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour are stellar in their performances, and their interplay triangle is intense.Now I just wish it would be digitally remastered and released on DVD!...
Rating: Summary: Totally the Best in Entertainment Review: I first saw this movie in high school when I accompanied my best friend to a viewing at school on a Saturday! Neither one of us was looking forward to watching a historical romance, but we were hooked immediately. I have seen it many times since from a tape I made off the television. Andrew's character is dazzeling. His charm will succeed in capturing your heart and mind. The villan in this movie played Gandalf in "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings". He is a superb classical actor. I definitely recommend this one for all who love adventure and romance.
Rating: Summary: Please make it a DVD Review: This is my favorite movie of all time. I remember the very first time it was on TV, I was seven. Now, I have 2 of these videos in case one tape breaks. I hope this is made available on DVD. And a CD of the music would be wonderful!
Rating: Summary: Rainy Nights and Popcorn Review: Well, there's not much to say - the costumes are well done, the sets work, the actors have a rapport with each other that comes through on screen, it has action, romance, comedy, emotion, suspense. Considering I hate romance films, the humour, pain or stress that accompanied almost every single "romance" scene in the film, made such scenes bareable. So, why not 5 stars? Well, unfortunately, the acting does fall slightly flat in places.. most of the flat acting from Andrews when he has to pull out all the stops portraying a fop. The foppish side to his personality was somewhat overdone, his facial expressions and accent coming across as very forced and therefore slightly jarring. However, considering the fact that despite this problem, he manages to convey emotional depth with the slightest twitch of the eyebrow, tilt of the head or tone of voice, almost constantly, he at least makes the slight melodrama of the fop forgiveable. Jane Seymour probably could have done with a few tips in conveying subtle body language herself, but aside from that, the film does well - and even 20 years later, the film doesn't feel outdated.
Rating: Summary: Charming Review: This movie is a favorite in my family as well. Anthony Andrews was a perfect actor to portray the character of Percy. The romance was sigh worthy and the presentation was wonderful. The musical score gave it a perfect added touch. I think this movie was very well done for its time, and enjoy it everytime I watch it. You know the actor is a good one when he can be annoyingly foppish, a passionate romantic, a dashing savior, a courageous swordsman, a comedian, and did I mention good-looking all in one movie. Anthony Andrew not only had to portray himself as Percy, but as all the characters that The Scarlet Pimpernel has to pose as to carry out his good deeds. Jane Seymore, of course, is a classic beauty. Again, not disappointing me as the heroine of a contagious story. I hope this movie comes out on DVD. It would be a shame not to.
Rating: Summary: Ummmmm, what to say? Review: I was forced to watch this movie in my French class at school, and enjoyed it to a degree, but found Percy utterly annoying. His way of speaking enrages me. In my opinion, the actors acted poorly, either that or there was a screenplay problem. You know those movies and times when you are just emberassed for the character? How you just want to yell at them and order them to do something to end the misery of other characters as well as yourself? This is one such movie.
Rating: Summary: The BEST Pimpernel of all, end of story. Review: Of all the "Pimpernels" on film, there is not ONE that measures up to the adventure, romance, comedy and drama of this one. Anthony Andrews is at his most handsome, most charming, most sexy and most stylish as Percy, and who could ever rival Jane Seymour? Ian McKellan is sexy-smarmy at Chauvelin, and all the supporting characters are more captivating than ever. Yeah, okay, so it takes off a little from the book (actually, it's two combined), but nearly 20 years after it first aired on TV, it's as fresh every time I watch it as the first time. And for the record, the final fencing match between Percy and Chauvelin still takes my breath away, even after having seen it hundreds of times! THIS IS THE ONE YOU WANT!!!! ...
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