Amidst Robespierre’s Reign of Terror, when the guillotine was always at the ready, the Scarlet Pimpernel (Richard E. Grant) defies the Revolutionaries to rescue the innocent. Yet the Pimpernel’s wife, Lady Blakeney (Elizabeth McGovern), the wittiest and most beautiful woman in London, is unaware of her husband’s secret. When not disguised as his alter ego, Sir Percy Blakeley appears to be nothing but a handsome playboy. Join the Pimpernel as he risks his life for justice and Lady Blakeney as she discovers her husband’s true identity. This remarkable, action packed series will leave you on the edge of your seat!
The story has plenty of twists and turns and dashing swordplay to qualify as an honest-to-goodness swashbuckling adventure. With the bad guys pounding at the door, the Pimpernel always manages to escape, leaving a sarcastic note signed with his trademark flower seal. The teleplay is a comedy in the traditional British sense, dry and sophisticated but peppered with dramatic elements. Under all that is also a classic romance. According to Sir Percy, “It’s fearfully unfashionable to be in love with one’s wife,” but it’s his love for Marguerite that motivates his character. Tech credits are superb, and the producers spared no expense in pic’s re-creation of Revolutionary France. Special note should be made of Howard Burden’s outstanding costume design, which is an integral part of the story.- Variety
Starring Richard E. Grant, Elizabeth McGovern, Ronan Vibert, Gerard Murphy, Directed by Patrick Lau, Simon Langton.