I just watched this film again, after having seen it years ago, and I must say that I just loved it!!! There are some differences from the novel, but considering Hollywood’s record, this version is fairly faithful.
Leslie Howard is a great Percy…I think he is probably the closest to the way I imagine Percy to be in the books. The scene with him and Chauvelin in the library had me completely cracked up! Not to mention the scene in the inn at the end! He had a grace and a poise that was just perfect for the role. And his eyes are so incredibly expressive…you can see the love for Marguerite without him having to say a word.
Merle Oberon is alright as Marguerite…she’s lacking the fire that I think Marguerite needs to have though. But she is beautiful, and it’s not too hard to see what Percy would find attractive in her. Raymond Massey as Chauvelin seemed a little slow to me…how exactly did he figure out that Percy was the Pimpernel? I must have missed that
somehow…