The Scarlet Pimpernel

1934
Approved
1h 37m

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

4.9K

YOUR RATING

Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon in The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934)

A noblewoman discovers her husband is The Scarlet Pimpernel, a vigilante who rescues aristocrats from the blade of the guillotine.

Play trailer1:53

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98 Photos

Swashbuckler Adventure Drama

A noblewoman discovers her husband is The Scarlet Pimpernel, a vigilante who rescues aristocrats from the blade of the guillotine.A noblewoman discovers her husband is The Scarlet Pimpernel, a vigilante who rescues aristocrats from the blade of the guillotine.A noblewoman discovers her husband is The Scarlet Pimpernel, a vigilante who rescues aristocrats from the blade of the guillotine.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

4.9K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win total

Videos1

Trailer 1:53

Trailer

Photos98

+ 90

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America admonished: "There is cleavage in Reel 1. There is cleavage in Reel 4. There is gross cleavage in Reel 8", adding that it was the last film it would pass containing "scenes of offensive cleavage".

Goofs
Blakeney and the Prince of Wales are seen at a boxing match in which the combatants are in a structure similar to a modern 'square' ring. This form of the ring was not used until around 1838.

Quotes
Percy Blakeney: They seek him here, they seek him there, / Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. / Is he in heaven? Or is he in hell? / That damned elusive Pimpernel!

Alternate versions
There is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA srl, "LA PRIMULA SMITH (1941) + LA PRIMULA ROSSA (1934)" (2 Films on a single DVD), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.

Connections
Featured in Minute Movie Masterpieces (1989)

Soundtracks
La Marseillaise
(1792) (uncredited)
Music and lyrics by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle
Played during the opening credits
Reprised by singing citizens

User reviews82

Review

Featured review

Leslie Howard's finest role

"The Scarlet Pimpernel" is one of the classics and the 1934 film is by far the best cinema version. Leslie Howard is perfect for the part of Sir Percy Blakeney. Howard bounces between the foppish, sissy boy aristocrat and the cunning, ingenious hero, who is a master of disguise. You want to kick him in the teeth one minute and you're cheering for him the next.

Merle Oberon, who has never impressed me much as an actress, plays Lady Blakeney. She is painfully and completely oblivious to her husband's true identity. Her performance is strained but Miss Oberon is still one of the most breath-takingly beautiful women to ever grace black and white film. Raymond Massey is excellent as Chauvelin, especially his scenes with Howard where he is having to keep his temper in check when dealing with the impossible antics and behavior of Sir Percy's alias. Excellent cinematography, and good supporting performances. One of my favorite hero movies.