The Scarlet Pimpernel Movie Review

  

So, I was rather tentative about reviewing "The Scarlet Pimpernel" because I have the idea from a couple of blogs I've seen that there is a very dedicated fandom of TSP. I cannot claim to be a part of that fandom because I have only read one book of TSP and while it was good, that was all I have read of it. I have also seen the 1982 version starring Anthony Andrews as Sir Percy (loved him in that role, not many people could play Percy without making him incredibly annoying and completely unlikable.) And also starring Jane Seymour (love her as an actress, she's stunning! She's also Dr. Quinn, Medicine Women, which I know because of Hamlette's blog give away, so thank you again Hamlette!) Finally, Citizen Chauvelin was played by Ian McKellen to perfection.

The theme song began, and already I was very excited for this movie, as I'd heard wonderful reviews. (If you would like to hear the theme song click here.) So, it starts out in a jail, and they (the French Citizens) are taking the fallen aristocrats to Madame Guillotine. It's rather gruesome, but you don't see much, don't worry. It's only gruesome because I have an overactive imagination, and because it actually did happen during the real French Revolution under Robespierre and I think about that. I learned about that in History this year.... hmm, maybe school is helpful after all? ;)

So, anyway, for those of you who don't know the story, the Scarlet Pimpernel and his gang save aristocrats who are about to be beheaded. Because even though the Revolution had high ideals, when put into practice they became rather harsh. (Not ALL aristocrats are bad, you know!) The Scarlet Pimpernel is the despair of Robespierre and, more importantly, Citizen Chauvelin.  Every time the Scarlet Pimpernel successfully saves another French aristocrat, he leaves a little Pimpernel Flower in their place like this:

                               

Now, how does he escape? Well, Sir Percy is wonderful at disguises. Here are just a few:

                                       

                                          

                                   

The latter is how he usually looks, but it really is a disguise, as Percy isn't really a stupid fop, but an extremely wonderful gentleman. Those are pretty amazing disguises, though. On to the romance though! His face when he catches sight of Marguerite St. Just! It's priceless! Really love at first sight and that kind of thing.

                                         

Marguerite St. Just is a famous actress, and, sadly the love interest of Citizen Chauvelin, but Percy soon successfully transfers her attentions. I really never understood how someone like Marguerite liked Chauvelin.... maybe his power interested her, or perhaps she thought the cause he was fighting for noble at first. Probably the latter. But, I don't exactly hate Chauvelin. At times, I almost feel sorry for him. Then he's slimy Chauvelin again and I'm disgusted with him. But Ian McKellen really made Chauvelin interesting. You're not sure he's terribly awful all the time.

                              

But when Chauvelin said to Marguerite that his "first duty, my dear, is to you." I was thinking yeah RIGHT! Because, of course, that simply isn't true and I believe Marguerite knew it too. His love, like Enjolras' is to Patria, or, his country. Which would be great and all, except what they are doing is wrong.

But, I have a bone to pick with Sir Percy.... When he hears, after his marriage to Marguerite, that she "finally got revenge" on the aristocrats who hurt her brother Armand (by having the whole family beheaded), and Percy BELIEVES MARGUERITE WOULD DO SUCH A THING! No! No! No! Citizen Chauvelin's name is written all over it! I know he must be "careful" and blah blah blah because it might be true, so she can never know he is the Scarlet Pimpernel and he has to act like a foppish gentleman in his own house now too.... IT'S JUST SAD!

I felt deeply for Marguerite, especially at the picnic, when Percy doesn't stand up for her. When she runs away I practically yell GO AFTER HER! But I don't because it might disturb my whole family.
;)
                                  

And the scene where Marguerite feels that Percy just doesn't love her anymore breaks my heart, and I was also sad when Percy says, after being wrongfully accused by Armand that he has ceased to love her, "ceased? I shall love her till the day I die... that is the tragedy." :'(

I was also sad for the poor little Prince Louis. His "catechism" at night was horrifying, to say the least. I cannot talk about it. Now, because there is so much I want to say, and I can't seem to find a way to connect it all, I will randomly just mention some of my favorite bits:

-That Marguerite is brave enough to risk so much just for the Scarlet Pimpernel, especially since she doesn't even know he's Percy, was truly amazing to me. Bravo Marguerite!

- Percy: "I shall be back, my dear Chauvelin, to haunt you."

-I must mention the best fighting scene between Percy and Chauvelin. Percy is so arrogant! haha

- Percy's sayings are just amazing! "Odd's fish, m'dear" and "Sink meh!" etc.etc.

- Percy the fop's poems: "I'm a bit of a poet, and you didn't know it!"
"They seek him here, they seek him there. Those Frenchies seek him everywhere!"

This is a really nice movie, with some adventure and suspense, romance, and historical information. The costumes are amazing and the hair is very intricate. I hope you like the movie and the review! I certainly enjoyed both!

And if you haven't watched TSP, Percy and I are judging you. Rectify this immediately! :)

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU2RLwEsxT4

The Literary Heroine Blog Party Questions

~ The Questions ~

1. Introduce yourself! Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random! My name is Maddie Rose from The Madd Rose blog. I love books, old movies and shows, baking, playing piano, old fashioned things in general and BOOKS! I dislike homework, most modern furniture, snakes, spiders, creepy-crawly things in general, and crude or nasty behavior. God is only just recently playing a daily part in my life right now as I (finally) strive to do His works. I don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but I'd love for it to have something to do with, what else, books. I dream of living on P.E.I, Canada, in a little cottage by the sea. I am a Road to Avonlea addict, and like nothing better than to lounge around with a good book or show, and a nice cup of tea. (Earl Grey especially)
2. What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?  I love a heroine who is kind, considerate, and helpful, without being too annoying and perfect. She should have a good imagination and a sense of humor. She doesn't need to be beautiful (I rather prefer that she isn't, actually) but I like them to be... pretty, even in a little way. Sweetness always helps, but you need a dash of salt, or else you might get a toothache. It helps if she has one or two run ins with love, and gets into scrapes occasionally. This is what I imagine a true heroine to be.
3. Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.  I admire Anne Shirley greatly. She was my first old-fashioned love. I am absolutely obsessed with the series. (Ask anyone) Gilbert helped a lot too. ;)  Another heroine I relate to is Betsy Warrington Ray. She is a little known heroine, but one of my favorites. She is kind, smart, funny, and imperfectly beautiful. I want her and her Crowd to be my friends! I even went to the Betsy-Tacy Convention in Mankato, Minn. this summer. I admire Emily Starr, although she and I aren't that much alike. I like her spirit, her beauty, and her goal in life. Finally, I like Polly from An Old-Fashioned Girl. She is sweet, kind, and resourceful. She has a strong faith and shines light on the lives of others. I wish she and I were more alike. 
4. Five of your favorite historical novels?  Oh, this is hard. Are classics historical novels? I suppose they are. In no particular order, I like love: the Anne of Green Gables series, the Betsy-Tacy series, An Old-Fashioned Girl, Love Comes Softly, and Emma.
5. Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why? This is REALLY HARD! Why don't you just ask me which kid is my favorite? (If I had kids....) Anyway..... I guess Anne. What can I say? I'm a big Anne of Green Gables fan! She is my favorite because she is smart, kind , stubborn, imaginative, and she gets the best guy EVER! ;)
6. Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why? Marilla Cuthbert. At first I wasn't sure I'd like her at all, but under that cold exterior beats a kind, motherly heart.
7. If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there? This is so hard... should I do P.E.I., England, or Italy? I suppose I'll choose England, although I dearly love my little P.E.I.! England would be such fun! I love the accents, the little shops and cottages, the sheep, the beaches  the culture, and of course JANE AUSTEN! 
8. What is your favorite time period and culture to read about? I would have to say mid to late 1800's and early 1900's. The culture can be Canadian, American, or British.
9. You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of? I am best at singing, but I don't know if I'd have the nerve to do that. If not singing, then recitation- like Anne at the White Sands Hotel! :)
10. If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent? I suppose I'd pick Emma Woodhouse. With my longish caramel blond hair, it'd be best to be her. (I've always imagined her with blond hair as I saw the movie before I read the book. plus, she has beautiful outfits and hairstyles, and I could spend the whole party making matches;)
11. What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate? MMMMMMM! Is the exact phrase that comes to mind. If I could live on chocolate, I would.
12. Favorite author(s)? In no particular order: L.M. Montgomery, Maud Hart Lovelace, Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austen, Heather Vogel Frederick, Janette Oke,  Elizabeth Gaskell, Jeanne Birdsall (author of The Penderwicks), A.A. Milne of the dear Winnie-the-Pooh stories, and Michael Bond, who is the author of a childhood favorite of mine, Paddington Bear. 
13. Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land? Books, old movies, my smart phone,  my puppy Ollie, and my ipod
14. In which century were most of the books you read written? There are two: 19 C. and 20 C.
15. In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is… GILBERT BLYTHE
16. Describe your ideal dwelling place. A cozy cottage, with a little garden, and a hammock swung between two trees. It will have a little library with old beloved books and a nice, roomy window seat, simply strewn all over with pillows. I'd like a creamy yellow kitchen with a farmhouse sink. There should be a little piano somewhere, maybe in the library. It will have nice, crooked stairs, with a little platform and window. I'll have lace curtains billowing in the breeze. There will be bedrooms, of reasonable size, and at least one small walk in closet. It must have nice, shadowy little corners and some flowery wallpaper.  I'd like a little porch out front, with a rocking chair, where I could sit and hear the ocean; for my dream house must be reasonably close to the ocean, you know. I will see the lighthouse peeping through my living room window as I sit on an overstuffed chair by the fire on wintry evenings. Oh, and I'd like it to be on an island. Not a private island or anything, just an island. I think people who live on islands are nicer and happier.
17. Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence. Just one sentence? Alright, my personal style is feminine and classy, but not old granny-ish or anything.
18. Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name? Yes, I don't like that Mr. Darcy's first name is Fitzwilliam. :(
19. In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is... for some reason I'm drawing a blank. I suppose, maybe Chauvelin from the Scarlet Pimpernel. I just don't like that guy!
20. Three favorite Non-fiction books? Um... I don't read a lot of non-fiction... I like the Little House on the Prairie (although I think that might be fiction, but it's based off Laura's life.) I can't think of any more, although I know I've read non-fiction!
21. Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon? Outside rowing on the pond, swimming at the pool, gardening, or on our hammock reading with some lemonade.
22. Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character. Oh dear, well this is an interesting one. I'd have to choose a hat that might come from Road to Avonlea. A simple hat with a nice blue bow and some small flowers. Nothing too fancy, but overall very simple and flattering.
23. Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.  I found some blogs, started blogging myself, and started high school.
24. Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently. Goodness, uh... Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 32:8, Revelation 21:4, 1 John 4:7-8, and Deuteronomy 31:6

Period Drama Tag Answers

1. What period dramas have you watched in January?

I have watched North and South, Sense & Sensibility,  Cranford, and The Scarlet Pimpernel

2. Do you prefer period dramas peppered with humor or laced with dark emotions?
If I had to choose. I suppose humor. I love to watch Period Dramas that have both humor and dark emotions.

3. What was the first period drama miniseries (two episodes or longer) that you ever watched?

I think that would have to be the Anne of Green Gables movies. I just love those so much!

4. How many Jane Austen adaptations have you seen?

I believe I've seen 6: Mansfield Park ('98?,) Northanger Abbey '07, P&P '95 and '05, Sense and Sensibility '95, and Emma '09.

5. What period drama, that you haven't seen before, are you most looking forward to seeing in the future?

Bleak House, I think.