Sir Percy Blakeney, Chauvelin, and heoism...

[fajrdrako]

I love The Scarlet Pimpernel. One of the most romantic books ever written; one of the most romantic movies ever made. I like the Anthony Andrews version (with Ian McKellen as Chauvelin) best, which tends to horrify the Leslie Howard fans - which is okay, since Leslie Howard is wonderful and I like that version too. I hated the Richard E. Grant Pimpernel, but can't completely discount that version because Martin Shaw, Elizabeth McGovern, Denise Black and Jamie Bamber were all so good that it compensated for having a dead-loss Pimpernel.

Sir Percy Blakeney is one of the literary progenitors of Francis Crawford of Lymond, which would appeal even if he had nothing else going for him. But he does. All that muted heroism, all that deception and being misjudged... Ahhh. He's yet another heroic con man of the style I love so much.

So why am I happy that when I do the "Which character are you in The Scarlet Pimpernel meme, I get the villain? Well, maybe because Chauvelin is such a wonderful villain, so beautifully charismatic when done by McKellen or Shaw, such a Grey Eminence powerhouse....




This test brought to you by Blakeney Manor.

Find out:Which Scarlet Pimpernel character are you?

Cool beans!

(Later, you become Magneto and square off in a really big chess game against Patrick Stewart, which leads to some serious re-grouping and you decide to mend your evil ways and travel back to the time of Middle Earth where you become Gandalf the Grey and help all the little people.)

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And, I add, earlier you were a curly-haired Professional who got to shoot big guns and run a lot and hang out with Bodie, the best partner ever.

Comments

[maisedoat.livejournal.com]

Put me down as a Leslie Howard fan. Which is odd in a way, because the books - which I devoured as a kid - all stress how tall and powerfully built he is. sigh.

I wrote my first ever fic as a prequel to the Scarlet Pimpernel - ah me, long ago and far away.

I saw a stage play in London with, of all people, Donald Sinden in and he was actually rather good. I don't remember who Marguerite was but she was required to sing and missed the note completely. Bet she hopes no one who saw that remembers - heheheheheh

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Funny, I never really noticed (or thought about) the discrepancy between the way Sir Percy looks and the way Leslie Howard looks. He was so convincing!

I wrote my first ever fic as a prequel to the Scarlet Pimpernel - ah me, long ago and far away.

Is it online? Is it somewhere I can read it?

I'd like to see Pimpernel in a really good production. Maybe someday!

[maisedoat.livejournal.com]

Luckily, my Pimpernel fiction remains firmly in my head - just as well since I provided him with a twin brother, a tragic first marriage and an abusive father. Well I was only 12 at the time.

Where are all the 6 foot tall, sensitive, gorgeous actors?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Ah, the imaginary Pimpernel! I have a few of those in my head, too. Guilty secrets and no torture or bribery could tear them out of me.