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

A Review of Pride & Prejudice (1995)

This picture doesn't really have anything to do with this post, but it is so cute!

As I am sadly behind on my movie reviews for Old Fashioned Charm's Period Drama Challenge, I have decided it is high time to post another movie review. I have rather been shrinking from posting a review of Pride & Prejudice. not because I have bad things to say about it, but because there is such a decided opinion on which movie is best between die hard Janeites..... and I like them both, for different reasons.

While I share a little of the scorn many Janeites feel for the modern version (2005) of P&P, I like it. (Not in comparison to the book, because it is very different in many ways.) But in and of itself, if not thought of in connection to the book, I think it's a wonderful story.

But, if you are looking for something more akin to the book, and you don't mind watching a (is it a 6 hour movie, in all? I think it is...) Nope, I just checked the back of my DVD case, it says  "approx. 300 min." So it is only 5 hours. ;)

I have only just recently found this version of P&P. While I've known the 2005 version for a long time. But I already love it so much! The story of how I found it is this: (in case anyone cares haha)

I found online a music sheet for some of the wonderful music pieces in P&P '05. I brought these in to my piano teacher to see if I could possibly play them. It was while we were discussing Jane Austen. (because she was an Janeite too, she is such a kindred spirit) She mentioned how much she enjoyed P&P '95 and how she believed it left the '05 version in the dust. Well after that I had to see it! Luckily, she had the boxed set and said she could lend it to me! Needless to say, I finished the whole series in two days. (I would've tried to finish it in one, but school got in the way.;) )

I loved it. The movie was spot on like the book. Well, as spot on as any movie can be, because it's never as perfect as the movie running through your head. Darcy had a wonderful air about him, a fascinating gaze, Colin Firth was wonderful. The first proposal, while not necessarily romantic, and I do NOT think she should have said yes, as indeed, he didn't respect her enough yet; I was still terribly torn up when he was rejected. The look on Darcy's face! The pain she was inflicting! Oh oh oh! Jennifer Ehle was also fabulous in the scene. (She was fabulous in every scene....) I like how she didn't have Elizabeth screaming and shouting to Mr. Darcy about all the wrongs done to her. She simply was icily polite and her words were like sword thrusts, wounding Darcy with every blow. Elizabeth is intelligent and a lady, and she would keep her cool even in the most trying circumstances. (Even if she might cry and rage about it later in private) So that was exactly as I had imagined it.

And Mr. Collins! Oh my gosh, could any one be more Mr. Collins-y? He was a little more slimy then I expected, but really, he pulled it off fabulously. His facial expressions were perfect, his social awkwardness funny but cringe worthy at the same time. (In fact, I always feel rather sorry for him) But I never can feel really sorry for him, because he doesn't see his social awkwardness and he is so like a puffed up little wren parading around as a peacock. (I don't know why I thought of that analogy, but it seems quite true.) Poor Charlotte! But she made her choice, and really, she seems happy to finally be mistress of her own home and not a burden any longer. (I wonder if she ever regretted her choice?)


Jane Bennett was so sweet and demur, and the fact that every man didn't fall in love with her is a wonder to me. Bingly is everything a gentlemen ought to be. He really loves Jane and I am always surprised at him being persuaded out of marrying her. But it all works out, so I can't begrudge him his weak character; for Mr. Darcy's is a formidable character indeed! I don't know if I  could go against his judgment!


Caroline Bingly is a rat! She is a rat subtlety though, so we cannot reprove her. And it's such a shame for I would dearly love to knock her down a peg or two! Elizabeth does not allow herself to be put down though, and I always admire her so much for that! The older sister, Mrs. Hurst, I believe, is awful, but she really only is a carbon copy of Miss Bingly. Whatever Caroline thinks, so it seems does Mrs. Hurst! So I really don't waste my energy despising her.

Mr. Bennett was amusing, and I greatly sympathized with him. It can't be easy living with Mrs. Bennett's "poor nerves!" And we are kindred spirits in that we both love to read. Mrs. Bennett was hysterical! Always flighty and amusing and very exasperating! She and Kitty make a crazy pair! Kitty was always kind of embarrassing though, and I found myself grimacing (enjoying myself, but still grimacing) in many of Kitty's scenes. Mary was hopelessly prim and socially awkward. And her singing at the ball! Oh, someone should have stopped her sooner!

And the ending was highly gratifying. I had been waiting for that kiss since the mini series began! But it was worth it! The double wedding was delicious!

I hope I haven't offended anyone, and I would love to hear your opinions and criticisms below! :)

Rebecca

I am sadly behind on my period drama movie reviews for Old Fashioned Charm's period drama challenge.... So I am doing a book and movie review of Daphne du Maurier's thrilling romance Rebecca. It was recommended to me by my aunt who introduced me to the Anne of Green Gables series which started it all. Needless to say, it was fascinating. I could hardly put it down. I remember sitting up reading the last 100 or so pages feverishly late at night because I had to find out the ending. I was completely surprised.... but I won't ruin that for you, in case you want to read it.



"Rebecca" is about a young girl, who is a hired companion for a boorish Mrs. Van Hopper. The hotel they are staying at in Monte Carlo is supposed to cater to the finest people. So, when Mrs. Van Hopper sees the Maxim de Winter, owner of the beautiful estate of Manderley, and recent widower of the beautiful Rebecca, she approaches him immediately. He dislikes Mrs. Van Hopper, but finds her companion refreshing. A friendship springs up between Maxim and the young girl. So she is simply heartbroken when Mrs. Van Hopper announces that they are leaving early for America. Maxim hears of this and immediately proposes to the girl.

But when the new Mrs. de Winter shows up at Manderley, things are not what they seem. Maxim, all the servants, and even Manderley itself still seems to be under the influence of the first Mrs. de Winter.

Mrs. Danvers especially, who catered to Rebecca's every need and simply worshiped her, finds the new Mrs. de Winter to be an intruder, and a sad replacement for her "dear Rebecca." Can the new Mrs. de Winter overcome this haunting Rebecca or will she forever live in the shadow of Rebecca?

This book was full of surprises. Intrigue is woven throughout the novel, and the final revelations will leave you speechless. (or at least it did me) I remember that I couldn't suppress a little squeal and a gasp near the end.

I was a little disappointed that the new Mrs. de Winter's first name was never mentioned. Maxim always called her "sweetheart" or "dear" and the servants and guests called her Mrs. de Winter. Maxim mentioned near the beginning how she had a beautiful and unusual name... and that was all. (And I dearly love beautiful and unusual names)



I then had to watch the movie, starring Joan Fontaine (who played up the naive role perfectly) and Laurence Olivier, who was a fabulously dashing brooding hero. Usually, brooding heroes bother me and I find them exasperating and not usually attractive. (I more like the Gilbert-type myself) But after he married the new Mrs. de Winter I grew to love him. Judith Anderson played a chilling Mrs. Danvers. Her best scene, in my humble opinion, was in Rebecca's old room, during the ball, when she is talking to the new Mrs. de Winter in her beautiful costume.



Now I will leave you with the highly unique proposal of Maxim. :) I hope you will like it as much as I did. Rebecca Proposal Scene