The Return of The Scarlet Pimpernel- 1937- A British Film Produced by Alexander Korda - Set in Paris and London in 1794 - 116 minutes

 This is part of my Participation in Paris in July 2023

https://wordsandpeace.com/2023/06/30/paris-in-july-2023/

The film is set in 1794, during the Reign of Terror in France. Percy Blakeney (Barnes), the Scarlet Pimpernel, has been forced to flee to England after being exposed as the leader of a group of Englishmen who are rescuing French aristocrats from the guillotine. However, he is soon called back to France when his wife, Marguerite (Stewart), is captured by the French authorities.

Blakeney returns to France and sets out to rescue Marguerite. Along the way, he is joined by a young woman named Jeanne de Tournay (Scott), who is also seeking to rescue her family from the guillotine. Blakeney and Jeanne must use all of their cunning and courage to outwit the French authorities and rescue their loved ones.

The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its exciting action sequences, its lavish production values, and its performances. The film was also a box office success, grossing over $2 million at the time of its release.

The film is considered to be one of the best adaptations of the Scarlet Pimpernel novels. It is a well-made and exciting film that captures the spirit of the original novels. 

It was produced by Alexander Korda

Alexander Korda was a Hungarian-born British film director, producer, and screenwriter. He was one of the most important figures in the British film industry during the 1930s and 1940s. He was the founder of London Films, a major production company that produced many classic films, including The Private Life of Henry VIII, Rembrandt, Things to Come, The Thief of Baghdad, and The Third Man.

Korda was born in Hungary in 1893. He began his career in the film industry in Austria and Germany, before moving to Hollywood in 1926. He returned to Europe in 1930 and set up London Films in 1933. The company quickly became one of the most successful in Britain, and Korda was responsible for bringing many Hollywood stars to the UK, including Charles Laughton, Vivien Leigh, and Merle Oberon.

Korda was a flamboyant and visionary producer, and he was not afraid to take risks. He was one of the first producers to make films in color, and he was also a pioneer in the use of special effects. He was also a strong supporter of British talent, and he gave early breaks to many directors and actors who went on to become major figures in the British film industry, including Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, Laurence Olivier, and David Lean.

Korda was a highly influential figure in the British film industry, and his films helped to shape the course of British cinema. He was a master of historical epics, fantasy films, and thrillers, and his work continues to be admired.

I will next post upon Charlie Chan Goes to Paris, from 1935.

Mel Ulm

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The movie maybe viewed on YouTube