David Niven must have had so much fun making The Fighting Pimpernel! He got to work with inventive directors Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, who directed him in A Matter of Life and Death, and he got to put on so many different disguises throughout the film. He plays the famous Scarlet Pimpernel, and as he goes incognito planning out various schemes to aid in the French Revolution, he always makes sure his costume, face, and accent are different. Can't picture him with missing teeth and a thick Cockney accent? Can't see him with patches in his trousers and a wild reg wig? Can't imagine him as a hag? You certainly can, if you rent The Fighting Pimpernel.
Without The Niv, this movie wouldn't be anything to write home about. It has a very European feel to it, and the supporting actors are often over-the-top or just plain strange. Thankfully, there is my beloved Niv, to make everything all better. He may not be insanely handsome in this one, since he spends most of his time making his face unrecognizable, but he gets to show off a lot of hidden talents. It's always fun to see an actor let his or her hair down, isn't it? If you liked him in this, next up is Candleshoe, where he also gets to wear many different hats.
