The Scarlet Pimpernel 1982 ~ Movie Review

If one follows Period Drama Blogs, one constantly hears of this movie. CONSTANTLY. I got very sick of it, in fact. Sink me, why can't people just stop talking about the almighty goodness of Sir Percy and the beautiful sentimental-ness of Marguerite and evil maliciousness of Chauvelin? I didn't even like the look of the story - guillotines? Silver clothes? Sinking oneself? Wut?

So yes, I didn't expect I'd like it. But yet, I wanted to see it, so I could join all those TSP conversations and understand the swoonworthy factors. So a few months ago, I sat down and watched it. And yes... Now I Understand.

The story is about this clan - The Scarlet Pimpernel clan - who saves innocent people from the cruel hands of the head-chopper - the guillotine. Yes, there were a few guillotine scenes, and I skipped them, of course. Seeing as I skipped them, I don't know how gruesome they were, but I'd recommend skipping them. :-) Unless you're interested in seeing that kind of thing, which, of course, I hope you're not.

Chauvelin, the meanie, wants to catch the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Sir Percy IS the Scarlet Pimpernel, but no-one knows it. He's a dashed good disguiser. :-) And then Chauvelin realises Percy is the one, catches him, but then - tadaaa - it ends well. That's a quick description. Now on to the fun Naomi-ness of the review.

While I don't craze over him as much as some people I might mention, I have to admit: Sir Percy was quite an amazing chap. A hero. A swoon-worthy-in-a-weird-way gentleman. He seems like a stiff robot kind of person in the beginning, with his poems and cravats and ehhhh-voice (people who've watched this know exactly what I'm talking about, haha) - a very charming kind of robot, but robot-ish nonetheless. He doesn't really seem like a person. But that's the whole point. He's constantly pretending to be someone else. It must be quite tiring for him!

Sir Percy is three people:

He is Sir Percy - the guy with the silk suits, big lace cravats, a monocle and a fondness for words that rhyme. Of course, these aspects are also part of 'who-he-really-is' (Sir Percy will always genuinely love cravats - ALWAYS forever and ever and ever and ever, because Sir Percy = Cravats) but this charming fellow with a stiff smirk and gallant gestures is, let's face it, a gentleman in disguise.

I love this side of Sir Percy. It's HILARIOUS. I love the way he says 'odd fish m'dear' and 'Sink Mehh' (a phrase HIGHLY addicting and contagious, I warn you - it's worse than 'what-ho') and I love his little poem:

They seek him here, they seem him there,

Those Frenchies seek him everywhere,

Is he in heaven or is he in -- hell?

That elusive Scarlet Pimpernel

He's a poet... and you did not knowet. :-) This side of Sir Percy is indubitably the most quoted, most laughed-over, most known-as-Sir-Percy side. It's a great side. :-)

He is some kind of beggar person. He has many costumes, Sir Percy has. He does this to snuggle the prisoners and get them free. Very good at this, he is - he has some amazingly good tricks. I love how he - such a rich person - takes a humble place to save people. It shows his huge heart.

He is the Scarlet Pimpernel. He is a real person. He devotes his entire life to saving innocent people, he's the guy who never ever panics (he alllways stays so stinking calm!) - he's romantic, loves his wife tenderly and dearly. He's CLEVER (The dressing-up Sir-Percy side of him isn't, but the real Sir Percy - the Scarlet Pimpernel, he's the cleverest man in the world.) He's a hero, but you have to understand the real him properly before you can love him.

And the last sentence he says in the movie, whilst holding his wife close to him, with a little smirk on his head, is, 'Sink me, you're a poet.' But he says it while he is really him - her own, darling, elusive Pimpernel. :-)

Which brings me to Marguerite, beautifully acted by the charming Jane Seymour. She was a lovely lady, emotional, big heart, fluttery, romantic, charming but so strong and courageous. I wanted to scream at her and say, 'Don't worry dear Marguerite! He loves you! He loves you!' I felt so sorry for her.

Now and then, I have to say, she didn't feel very real. The movie is all a bit sentimental (in the best way) and sometimes the way she whispered was perhaps a bit overdone. But it was the style of the story, and it was Marguerite's character - she's passionate. I also love that she's an actress, but never realises her husband is, in fact, one too! :-) One would think actresses and actors would be able to spot it when someone else is acting, right?

Her dresses were nice, although often to exposed, but her hair... ahem. I have to think about what I think of her hair.

Their romance was one of the most darling things I had seen in a long time. The ending - where he puts his hands on her shoulders on 'The Day Dream.' AWWWWWW. How can you not like these two beautiful people?!

In the beginning their love seemed a bit fake, but in the end it was so genuine and lovely.

And finally we have the crow of the show. Chauvelin. *shudder*

He was mean, so against our own Sir Percy, the big problem-causer. Hate the man. But, I know you are all going to dispute against me for saying this, but sometimes I thought it was kind of well, pitiful. I just felt a teenyweeny bit sorry for him now and then - you know, a teeeeeenyweeeeny bit. I'm allowed to do that, right? I mean, he was SO desperately trying to win, and he NEVER does. He's the big, big, big loser. It's hilarious to see him loose, I was smirking and mocking at him when Sir Percy ripped all his buttons off and came in the room when he was supposed to be dead, but I also felt a TIIIINY bit sorry for him when I saw those sweaty, puppy-eyes of his. 

He's SUCH  a big looser. HAHA.

This was the best scene, no three tails about it. Totally fell in love with him here.

Oh, and did anyone else spot Julian Fellowes?

Have you seen 'The Scarlet Pimpernel?'

What did you think of it?

10 Reasons why you can't NOT like Bertie Wooster

What-ho! 

Some of you may or may not know this: I am a big Bertie Wooster fan. While Jeeves is a good sport too, Wooster has always been my favourite one of the duo - both in the books and in the TV Series. And not to mention, Hugh Laurie's performance is so spot-on-ridiculously-perfect that it's not even funny. Wait... of COURSE it's funny. Wooster is the very key of funny-ness. 

So here are ten reasons why you can't not like Bertie Wooster. (Now I sound like Blimeycow.)

#1. He's Hilarious

I am not a big comedy person. In fact, I loathe practically every comedy laugh movie there is. I can't stand Mr Bean - he makes me squirm ashamedly instead of giggle hysterically. But there is one comedy series I can't get enough of and that is *ting* Jeeves and Wooster. 

Fact is, Wooster is hilarious. Just plain-inside-out funny. Everything about him is funny - the way he talks, the way he rolls his eyes, opens his mouth, walks, views people and solves problems. And what I like about his funniness is that it's not funny to him - or to any other character in the movie. People over there at the Jeeves and Wooster world look at Bertie as if he's the most normal person there ever was. 

But he isn't normal. He's soooo funny.

#2. He thinks he's a genius

 Let's face it. Wooster isn't the cleverest of men. The brain of the show is, as we all know perfectly well, Jeeves. There are times when Wooster fully admits that Jeeves is an amazing genius and that he has some what less knowledge. But then there are times when he proudly states that the Woosters have the cleverest ideas and solutions there ever were, and insists that he knows how to solve problems JUST as well as Jeeves does. This guy has a lot of self-confidence.

And his solutions and ideas are just SO freaking stupid it's HILARIOUS. :-P

#3 He's a boy

Wooster is ADORABLE. In reality he's a middle-aged bachelor, but to me, he's a boy. He's still a boy - he plays with a yellow ducky in the bath and loves eating and getting involved in silly schemes. He's cheeky. He hangs out at the Drones Club, which is a pretty boyish place, if you ask me.

And Jeeves is like his dad. :-)

 #4 He can't say no (and it's adorable)

He can't even refuse offers of marriage!

This is so adorkyble. He just can't say NO. Well, he can, but not in a persisting way. In more than one episodes, one of his annoying aunts will barge into his easy life with a task for him - often involving theft. He starts to stammer, 'I say! No! Aunt Dalia, I... I say, what a dashed thing to ask!' and stuff like that. But he never wins the say and always ends up doing what people ask him. HE CAN'T SAY NO AND IT'S SO ADORABLE.

Wooster is actually a really kind person. He's very careful about not hurting people, very careful indeed. Sometimes it causes him loooads of problems. 

#5 His fashion sense

Jeeves may not always agree, but I think Bertie Wooster's fashion sense is rather dapper and corny and fun. He goes for three-quarter-trousers and white-short-vests even if his valet doesn't agree. But then he gets rid of the special garments after a short time, because when Jeeves doesn't agree life can't go on. So, with the help of Jeeves, Bertie always looks like a good gentleman - good vests, tweed jackets, evening black wear. He really looks good.

#6 He's so innocent

Bertram Wooster? Innocent? He gets blamed for EVERYTHING!

Basically the average Jeeves & Wooster episode goes like this: Aunt tells Wooster he has to do something - he messes it up - he gets blamed by everyone for everything - Jeeves solves everything.

Poor little Bertie gets all the blame, while he's actually as innocent as a fella can be. Poor chappie.

 #7 He TALKS amazingly

This is the main thing I love about Wooster. THE WAY HE TALKS.

A list of Wooster-like words you are going to use in the future (you just are):

- What-ho! This is Wooster's famous way of saying 'hello'. He says it in practically every scene. :-P The word, I warn you, is seriously addicting.

- I say! Wooster says this when he's surprised or disappointed. It's a cool way of saying, 'NO!' or 'OH DEAR!' or other useless phrases such as that.

- Pip pip! Toodledoo! This is his way of saying goodbye. I told you he wasn't normal (wait, did I?)

- This takes the bally nerve, Jeeves! What he says after he realises he didn't say 'no.' 'Bally' is sometimes replaced by 'giddy' and 'nerve' is sometimes replaced by 'biscuit.' Creative, right? As a writer who loves to juggle around with word uses, I find this all very good. :-)

- Dashed. "How dashed kind!" or "Dashed friendly of you, old bean," are two examples Wooster would use the word in.

Oh, and if you're as big of a fan of his talk as I am, read the books. They are NARRATED by him and him only. Oh the joy.

 #8 He's never angry long

Wooster really is a NICE chap. He's awfully forgiving, and never angry for a long time. There are times when Jeeves stubborn-ness about, for instance, clothing, irritates him - but he always gives in and returns to the corny golden cheek he is. 

Even after getting blamed loads of times and tricked into cycling for hours in soaking rain, he goes back to the bacon-and-eggs lover with witty cheerful-ness in no time.

#9 His music style (not exactly mine, but it makes me like him more.)

My favourite scenes in the movie are probably the ones where Wooster rummages around on his piano, singing rediculously stupidly funny songs with embarrassing lyrics. Once he made Jeeves sings them too, poor chap. I know all the songs Wooster plays inside out, because I have a brother who's a huge Wooster-songs-fan and plays them on the piano like, almost every day. 

The video above is my personal favourite of the songs. I defy you not go to bed singing "Forty-seven Ginger-headed sailors." These songs are embarrasingly catchy. 

So yeah - I rather like his songs. *sheepish smile*

#10 He always forgets he's the boss

Jeeves and Wooster's roles often seem to reverse - Jeeves tells Wooster what to do, decides what will happen, and not vice versa. Sometimes though, Woosters pops into reality and realises this, but mostly he doesn't even realise. He treats Jeeves like a friend more than a valet and feels dashed lost without the organiser. As I said, Jeeves is like his father. :-P

The following quote describes their relationship perfectly:

Bertie: No, I think I'll wear the blue with the faint red stripe.

Jeeves: Not the blue with the faint red stripe, sir.

Bertie: But I rather fancy myself in it.

Jeeves: Not the blue with the faint red stripe, sir.

Bertie: Oh all right, have it your own way.

Jeeves: Very good, sir. Thank you, sir.

Well done Mr Wodehouse for creating such a character!

What's your favourite thing about Wooster?

Do you prefer Jeeves?

Quick shout-out to Hayden!

THAT SHIP. This book's gonna be epic.

You want to read a book by a lovely girl? Well, take your chance and enter Hayden's awesome giveaway here. :-) I'm desperately hoping I'll win, but if you enter too I'll be happy to have some more suspense up. :-P

How to gossip like the Period Drama ladies

Gossip is one big 'thing' in the Period Drama world that has not gone out of fashion. But now we do it differently than the ladies do on our favourite screens. I will, dear readers, give you some tips on how to gossip like the Period Drama ladies do. Instead of spreading Prince-Harry-Emma-Watson rumours via Facebook or Twitter with hashtags and all that horrible modern poffle, you'll learn how to do it the good old way. :-)

 

So! You want to gossip. You can't gossip on your own and that's a fact. You need to be part of a gossip-clan. You need to have those friends you scurry to whenever you "accidentally" meet in town to get updated on.

 

First, to be part of a gossip clan, you have to be the right age. At least forty, I should say - that's when gossip get's to it's finest, because then the old ladies (who always know the most, you know) appreciate your company and divulge you into all their biggest secrets. So sorry girls, if you're far from forty - we will have to stick with the young folk, who don't know half as much as the older ones. But we'll get there ONE day, won't we?

 

Just, young folks never get the right end of the stick when it comes to gossip. Look at Emma Woodhouse, for instance - she gossiped loads but got everything wrong, right? No, we just have to wait to do it the right way.

 

Wearing big hats, you know, is a no brainer - feathers are a good sign to show that you're there, brimmed with news. Two feathers is even better.

 

Lace caps are a no brainer too - but make sure you don't wear two over each other. Never walk out of the house without a hat - no, seriously. You always have to wear several layers over your head if you want to be part of the gossipers. You have to be able to whisper secrets under the shadows of all the bonnets; oh yes, quite important, that. But if you see someone going out without a hat - why now, that's an entirely different matter. Then you have to pretend (well, of course, you ARE) to be really shocked and go in a flurry and tell all the people in your gossip clan as quickly as possible, whispering that the said hatless lady really is walking down the wrong path in life.

 

Your fellow gossipers will be open-eyed listeners, of course, always.

 

The gossip clan should come together with great frequency, for there is always big news looming on the horizon, like, every minute there's new news. Of great importance. That, like HAS to be told. So you have to meet up with fellow gossipers in all kinds of circumstances. During a ball, why you'll meet up. And if you're playing whist, you won't really play whist, you'll talk about the very shocking latest bit of news. And you'll meet on the road. People won't realise you're gossiping, of course, because you're SO good at keeping stuff secretive, AREN'T you.

 

 

If I had to sum the rules of gossip in two words, it would be these: ALWAYS EXAGGERATE. If you don't, gossip wouldn't exist. Exaggerating isn't lying, it's just explaining situations with more gusto than the boring folks. You have to accentuate points and put two-in-two together. You have to tell you friends what happened in an exaggerated way. Because that's how you make the news sound interesting, right? For instance, something like this might happen:

 

You overhear two young girls in a glove shop. One, let's say Jane, says, 'I'll buy the red pair. Pa did tell me to be careful with my money, but I do so love them.'

AH. That MEANS that Jane is rebellious towards her father (the red pair of gloves was, you know via experience, one of the most costly ones in the shop) and that, of course, explains why Jane wouldn't go to the charity ball her father had organised! Jane is a rebellious daughter. You can go and tell you friends that. It's a HUGE piece of news.

 

And if there is no particular news around, you simply have to MAKE news by matchmaking. Really. During balls this is easy, you stand at the sides with your friends, and comment on how good this and that looks with this and that and how nice a couple they make and how well they compliment each other. If you have friends over - single and of marriageable age - you simply have to find out whether they are attached somewhere or not. If they are silent, pester the younger sister with questions. Twiddle it out. (And if it really doesn't work, bribe with olives. That's irresistible, you know. A cure for everything.)

If you see two people holding hands, they are engaged. Just, that's how things work. If you see a girl smiling more than three times to a man across the room in one hour, that means that they have a secret love relationship. If there's a girl who flirts with all the men in the room but one, it means the man who she isn't flirting with is in love with the girl. You have to learn the tricks. :-)

Oh, and everything is shocking. Make every bit of news something big. Take your chance and make it a dramatic, upholstering scene. Open your mouth and your eyes and your ears. If you're good at fainting on the spot, DO it, seriously, you have to. God didn't gift you with the talent for nothing, you know. Yell for smelling salts, make a SCENE. Because that will give you something more to gossip about the days afterwards.

 

I hope this helps. :-) And I hope you enjoyed the post, girls. :-)

 

Oh, by the way, have you heard that Romola Garai is going to be in the sixth season of Downton Abbey? As the undercook? I'm SOOOO excited about that. Like, SO. And don't worry, it's official as official can be - not just a rumour. ROMOLA GARAI in DOWNTON. Squeeeeee.

 

(jk)