The Elusive Pimpernel (The Fighting Pimpernel) DVD Color 1950 (Released in US 1954/1955) APPROX. 1 HR 49 MIN. Shown in original 1.37:1 aspect ratio. Playable in North America (the US, Canada, Mexico, etc.)
Starring: David Niven, Margaret Leighton, Jack Hawkins, Cyril Cusack, Robert Coote, Arlette Marchal and Patrick Macnee. Written by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger (Based on the romantic “Scarlet Pimpernel” novels by Baroness Orczy). Produced and Directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.
THE ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL (THE FIGHTING PIMPERNEL) is set in France during the Reign of Terror. A mysterious man - known only as the Scarlet Pimpernel - rescues noblemen from the guillotine and leads them to safety across the English Channel. Chauvelin (Cyril Cusack) is determined to unmask the Pimpernel and bring him to justice. When evidence begins to suggest that the hero is actually foppish Sir Percey Blakeney (David Niven), Chauvelin blackmails Percey's wife, Marguerite (Margaret Leighton), into cooperating on the threat that he'll expose the criminal activities of her brother Armand (Edmund Audran). However, Marguerite doesn't much care for her husband, hardly believes he could be the heroic Pimpernel, and is startled when she finds out that he truly is the masked vigilante.
The Scarlet Pimpernel Rides Again ... and all thrill at his daring!
They seek him here, they seek him there. Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he is Heaven or in Hell? That demmed, elusive pimpernel!
*Very, very few prints of THE ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL exist. After an extensive search we found what we believe to be the best surviving elements. We are pleased to make this available here on DVD, however the quality is not what you would expect of a state-of-the-art re-mastered print. It is rough. On a scale of 1 to 10 it would be a six or seven. But it is great for those who truly wish to see this wonderful Powell and Pressburger / David Niven Technicolor marvel.