"They seek him here, they seek him there..."

The Scarlet Pimpernel

1905 novel

by Baroness Emmuska Orczy

Although written at the beginning of the 20th century, the story of The Scarlet Pimpernel was inspired by events that took place over 100 years before.  It is set in both France and England during the French Revolution.  An Englishman with a well-concealed identity, who is referred to as the Scarlet Pimpernel, along with his band of 19 followers, goes on daring missions into the heart of France to save French aristocrats from death by the guillotine. They are then brought to England, where they can safely start a new life.

But who is this man? Who is the Scarlet Pimpernel?

Nobody knows--not even the people who are saved with his help.

Yet so many are seeking him--particularly the leaders of the new French republic. In their minds, he is keeping wicked people from dying deaths that they deserve. So an ambassador is sent to England by the name of Chauvelin, for the sole purpose of discovering the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel so that they can watch his movements and have him arrested and executed the next time he is on French soil. Chauvelin does as much research as he can before heading over to England, concluding that whoever the Scarlet Pimpernel is, he is a part of the highest social circle in England.

Also within that social circle are Sir Percy Blakeney and his wife, Lady Marguerite Blakeney--a newly married young couple. Sir Percy is a fool who can barely bring himself to think of anything besides fashion and money, yet he is known to be clever and witty at times and comes from very good money. Lady Marguerite is actually a Frenchwoman by birth, who somehow managed to get swept off her feet by Sir Percy and now unhappily resides with him in England. To make up for her husbands foolish ways, Lady Blakeney is breathtakingly beautiful, highly intelligent, cunning and witty. She is regarded as one of the most important women in Europe, and together she and her husband easily glide within the social circle with people like the Prince of Wales.

Chauvelin actually knew Lady Blakeney before she was married, while she was still living in France. He knew her family and is also acquainted with her brother, Armand. While trying to discover who the Scarlet Pimpernel is, he discovers that Armand is one of his 19 followers. He has him arrested and decides to blackmail Lady Blakeney into helping him figure out who it is within her social circle that moonlights as The Scarlet Pimpernel. He promises her that if she does this, he will set her brother free.

Lady Blakeney doesn't know what to do or where to begin. Her dearest brother, her only living blood relative is in danger but if she can discover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel, he can return safely to England. But even if she did discover who the Scarlet Pimpernel was, could she really condemn a man who is known to be so brave by his adventures and efforts to save innocent lives?

The Scarlet Pimpernel

1934

Starring Merle Oberon, Raymond Massey, and Leslie Howard

Baroness Orczy's novel The Scarlet Pimpernel has been adapted for the stage and the screen many times before. However, I would say that the best version that I know of and have seen myself would be the 1934 film, which stars Merle Oberon as the beautiful, troubled young Lady Blakeney; Leslie Howard as her dumb husband, Sir Percy; and Raymond Massey as the French ambassador, Chauvelin.

This film adaptation captures all of the tiny details found in the original tale of The Scarlet Pimpernel. It is very well done and brings the adventures of the brave Englishman to life.

And, for your enjoyment, I have found the 1934 version of The Scarlet Pimpernel in it's entirety as one whole video, and you can watch it from beginning to end here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6SnYSLFJiY

"They seek him here, they seek him there,

 Those Frenchies seek him everywhere.

 Is he in heaven? Is he in hell?

 That demmed, elusive Pimpernel."

 -Sir Percy Blakeney

"Suzanne: 'The Scarlet Pimpernel. What a droll name. What does it mean?'

 Sir Andrew: 'It is humble, wayside flower, mademoiselle. And it hides the identity of the best and  bravest man in all the world.'"