They Seek Him Here

If you are into epic vigilante sagas such as Marvel’s DareDevil or Jessica Jones, but also love regency love pieces such as Pride and Prejudice, and wish that there was some sort of mashup between the two genres, I would like to introduce you to The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Based on the book and its sequel (El Dorado), written by Baroness Emma Orczy, The Scarlet Pimpernel takes place during a time of civil unrest: The French Revolution. With a stage play written in 1903, and a book written just two years after, Baroness Orczy outpaces the creation of the first recorded superhero/vigilante (1936) by over 30 years.

Our story revolves around Sir Percival Blakeney, a British aristocrat, who sees the plight of his fellow humans in France. He takes it upon himself to disguise himself, head to France, and liberate as many innocent aristocrats as he could, leaving behind the moniker of “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” Thus, a hero is born.

And of course, he finds true love along the way. Enter Marguerite St. Just, a french actress with a heart of gold. Percy meets Marguerite, and after a short courtship, the two are married.

The hitch in the whole situation is that Marguerite was previously dating a man named Chauvelin, a high-ranking member of the French Republic, who has sworn to bring the Scarlet Pimpernel to justice. After his soul mate marries another man, Chauvelin turns all of his time and energy into finding the dastardly vigilante.

As much as we would love for this to be how the movie ends, with Percy and Marguerite married and living happily ever after, their love is not without turbulence. Chauvelin continues to haunt their existence, and Percy does not let Marguerite know that he is the elusive Scarlet Pimpernel. At first, he keeps her in the dark to protect her. However, on their wedding day, Percy is told that Marguerite had a grudge against one of Percy’s aristocratic French friends and turned him in to be executed (of course, this is later revealed to be a plot by Chauvelin to get back at Marguerite for leaving him). Percy now believes that he must keep her at arm's length in order to protect his operation. He is forced to choose between the love of his life, and his desire to save as many people as he can.

Things escalate when the King and Queen of France are executed via the guillotine, and the young prince is imprisoned. Percy and his troop decide to undertake the daunting mission of rescuing the young prince. However, planning takes time. Chauvelin has figured that it is a British aristo, and heads to England to try and catch the hero. Along the way, he also pays a visit to his long lost love, Marguerite. Chauvelin is determined to catch the Scarlet Pimpernel, and blackmails Marguerite into helping him. However, beauty is not the only quality Marguerite possesses. She is also extremely clever, and her conscious does not allow her to let a man who is trying to do good get captured. She alerts the Scarlet Pimpernel of the trap whilst he remains hidden, refusing to let her see his face. It is only after the hero escapes that Marguerite understands the true identity of the elusive vigilante. She sets out after her husband, declaring that she loves him more than she ever had now that she realizes who he is.

With a daring rescue, a faux damsel in distress, and a surprising trick at the end all squeezed in the last 30 minutes of the movie, The Scarlet Pimpernel is a movie appropriate for all ages, with plenty of brawls, sword fights, and action for your adrenaline junkies, while also appeasing the yearn for a good love story. Starring Anthony Andrews as our dashing hero, whose performance is only outdone by the stunning Janey Seymour, this movie is perfect for anyone who wants to watch a work of genius come to life on the screen. Not to mention that our wonderful villain, Chauvelin, is played by a very young Ian McKellan. Try growing up watching The Lord of the Rings, falling in love with Gandalf, and then seeing him as the bad guy. Watching this movie, it is hard to not want to jump up yourself and go about, saving those in need of saving. What is even better though, is the realization that we already have the opportunity ahead of us. We just need to be brave enough to take it.