Alright folks, let’s dive into “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” shall we? Now, I wasn’t expecting much of a rollercoaster, but honestly, this one caught me by surprise – a proper smygare, if you ask me.

Firstly, the visuals. Absolutely stunning. I mean, the attention to detail in the costumes and sets really takes you back to the French Revolution era. You almost feel like you’re smelling the dusty old books and the damp stone corridors. And then there’s Sir Percy Blakeney (played by Anthony Andrews). He’s this mix of dashing hero and frivolous dandy. If Zorro and James Bond had a love child, maybe they’d end up with something like Blakeney. His transformation from a witless fop to a cunning rescuer is something else, really. At some points, I almost envied his wardrobe – and trust me, I’m more jeans and t-shirt kinda guy.

Now, don’t get me wrong, not all was glitter and rouge. The pacing, ya know, was a bit like waiting for a Swedish bus in winter. You know it’s coming, but sometimes it feels like forever. Some dialogues dragged on and made me wanna fast forward, but then again, subtle humor sprinkled throughout kept me from dozing off.

And speaking of humor, this one has an endearing layer of sarcasm and wit. The duel of wits between Sir Percy and Chauvelin (Ian McKellen) kept me on my toes. There’s one scene where Blakeney calls Chauvelin “a sort of louse,” and I burst out laughing. Weirdly enough, it kinda reminded me of the debates we had back in Göta Lejon cinema when discussing movie heroes.

Odd anecdote: I first watched “The Scarlet Pimpernel” on a rainy afternoon when I was sixteen—skipping school, naughty me. It was an old VHS tape my mother had squirreled away. I felt like a rebel… with a cause.

So, should you watch it? If you’re into historical dramas with a touch of flair and can forgive a slow burn, then definitely. Plus, it’s worth it just to see Andrews and McKellen go head-to-head.

Here’s a peek into the world of red gloves and secret identities: The Scarlet Pimpernel