Screenshots of Chauvelin
from the A&E production of
The Scarlet Pimpernel

This series spawned two huge passions for me: Martin Shaw and The Scarlet Pimpernel books (who knew there were 18 novels!) While great liberties are taken with the plot lines in the A&E movies, I thought they were excellent - rare for a "read the book first" snob such as myself.

If you are at all interested in pursuing The Pimpernel, I would recommend you visit Blakeney Manor. They have etexts of the novels, comprehensive info on various screen and stage productions, photos, etc.

Want more of Martin Shaw? Visit my Professionals page.



Promotional Materials



The Official Guide to the A&E Production

Here are printable scans of Martin Shaw's chapter and pictures in the guide book.
Many thanks to Fiona Knight for scanning them for us!








Press Shots

Ooo! Look what I got on Ebay! (Yes, I paid a fortune for it.)



Click to see full sized 



Press Releases

If I have any articles or clippings of Martin Shaw's from the time around the filming of the Pimpernel series, they will be here on the article page of my Professionals site (scroll down past the Professionals stuff).



Screen Captures

I went a little crazy with these... I'm afraid there are so many that I had to put each movie on it's own page. It's Martin's fault - he was emoting all over the place and every pose has half a dozen different expressions! I couldn't choose which were best, so I posted them all.

Let me also say that the shots are still pretty crummy... Between the dark, low saturation film used in production and the crappy DVD transfer, I fussed with these for hours and they still leave a lot to be desired. It's as good as they are ever going to get however - I wash my hands of the whole thing.

Use the gallery entrances below.



The Scarlet Pimpernel (Book 1)

In 1793, the terror of the French Revolution is at its height, and the guillotines are busy. But a mysterious figure is staging daring rescues, and Citizen Chauvelin, the head of the Central Committee of Surveillance, is determined to discover his true identity, and uses a number of informants, including the popular actress Minette Roland.





The Scarlet Pimpernel Meets Madame Guillotine

The Scarlet Pimpernel is called upon to track down Hélène, the daughter of the Marquis de Rochambeau. In his search he has to use all his powers to thwart the zeal of Gabrielle Damiens, called Madamoiselle Guillotine because of her keenness to execute the aristocracy.





The Scarlet Pimpernel and the Kidnapped King

In May 1794 at an orphanage outside Paris, the Dauphin, the son of the murdered King of France, is being taught the ways of the new country, until he is kidnapped by someone wearing a blood-red mask. Following a huge row with Sir Percy, Lady Marguerite goes back to her native France, into the clutches of Chauvelin. Hearing of the Dauphin's disappearance, Sir Percy decides to investigate.





Read the Book!



After viewing the movies, please attempt to read the novels by Baroness Orczy (etexts can be found at Blakeney Manor). I promise, they are quite easy to read after watching the series and getting familiar with the names, faces, etc. and ripping good yarns!

In reading/timeline order:

The Laughing Cavalier*
The First Sir Percy*
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Sir Percy Leads the Band
The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel
I Will Repay!
The Elusive Pimpernel
Eldorado
Mam'zelle Guillotine
Lord Tony's Wife
The Way of the Scarlet Pimpernel
Sir Percy Hits Back
Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel
The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel
A Child of the Revolution
The Pimpernel and Rosemary*
The Life & Exploits of the Scarlet Pimpernel*
The Scarlet Pimpernel Looks at the World*

*About Blakeney's ancestors and descendants.