The Scarlet Pimpernel

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Year: 1982

Runtime: 142 mins

Language: English

Director: Clive Donner

TV MovieActionRomanceDramaEpic heroes

During the French Revolution, an English nobleman assumes the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel—a name from a flower to rescue French aristocrats from the guillotine while posing as Sir Percy Blakeney. He marries actress Marguerite St. Just, but discovers she is linked to Chauvelin and Robespierre, jeopardizing his plan to save the Dauphin.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1792

Set in 1792, the film unfolds during the French Revolution's most brutal years, with executions rising in Paris. The Scarlet Pimpernel's missions cross between Paris and English shores, highlighting the era's peril and political intrigue.

Location

Paris, France, London, England

The story shifts between Paris during the Reign of Terror and the refined drawing rooms of English society. Paris is portrayed as a danger-filled city where aristocrats face the guillotine, while London society provides cover for the Pimpernel's activities. The plot also ventures to coastal France as rescues are arranged.

🏛️ Historical 🕰️ 18th Century

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:41

Main Characters – The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)

Meet the key characters of The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sir Percy Blakeney / The Scarlet Pimpernel (Anthony Andrews)

A daring English nobleman who uses wit and charm to conceal a dangerous vigilante league leader. He orchestrates clandestine rescues of French aristocrats while maintaining a carefree persona to fool enemies. His relationship with Marguerite drives both conflict and reconciliation.

🕵️‍♂️ secret-identity 🎭 disguise 🛡️ leadership

Marguerite St. Just (Jane Seymour)

A noblewoman who becomes entangled in the Pimpernel's missions and their lovers' tension. Her wit and courage allow her to navigate danger and political intrigue, even as she questions Percy's double life. Her choices influence both the rescue efforts and their marriage.

💖 romance 🕊️ loyalty 🗣️ intelligence

Chauvelin (Ian McKellen)

A relentless agent of Robespierre who hunts the Scarlet Pimpernel. He uses cunning and coercion to pressure Marguerite and uncover the Pimpernel's identity. His pursuit escalates tension, challenging Percy's carefully crafted facade.

🗡️ pursuit ⚖️ ruthlessness 🧠 strategist

Armand St. Just (Malcolm Jamieson)

Marguerite's brother, a fellow conspirator with the Pimpernel. He leverages connections to help the rescue operation and navigate danger in revolutionary France. His loyalty to family and cause strengthens the mission.

🔗 ally 🗳️ resistance 🤝 loyalty

Baron de Batz (James Villiers)

An Austrian noble who aids the Pimpernel's cause by arranging covert smuggling and escape routes. His role illustrates international cooperation against revolutionary tyranny. He embodies daring risk-taking in the name of mercy.

🏹 ally 🧭 strategist 🔥 risk-taker

The Dauphin (Richard Charles)

The young son of the former French king, whose safety drives the Scarlet Pimpernel's missions. His presence makes the rescue operation urgent and morally charged. The pursuit to protect the Dauphin highlights the stakes of aristocratic exile.

👶 innocence 🏰 heir-preservation 🛡️ protection

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:41

Major Themes – The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)

Explore the central themes of The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♂️ Secret Identity

Percy Blakeney hides behind a charming public persona while secretly leading a dangerous rescue operation. The mask creates tension as friends and lovers suspect his true motives. Deception and revelation drive the plot, with social performances becoming critical to survival.

⚖️ Moral Dilemma

Marguerite's coerced signature on an arrest warrant and Percy's distrust test their marriage. The line between love and duty forces difficult choices, even as loyalty to the rescue league complicates personal relationships. The story probes how truth and loyalty are won or lost under pressure.

💘 Love & Duty

The romance between Percy and Marguerite anchors the plot, yet their affection must withstand danger and suspicion. Trust is earned through bold rescues and shared peril. The couple's bond evolves as they navigate secrecy, risk, and competing loyalties.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:41

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The Scarlet Pimpernel Summary

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The Scarlet Pimpernel Summary

The Scarlet Pimpernel Timeline

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The Scarlet Pimpernel Timeline

More About The Scarlet Pimpernel

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More About The Scarlet Pimpernel

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