Pimpernel Smith - 1941
Product ID: 502273263
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Pimpernel Smith is a 1941 British anti-Nazi thriller starring Leslie Howard. The film helped real-life Raoul Wallenberg to mount his rescue operation in Budapest which saved tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews from Nazi concentration camps during the last months of the Second Wold War. In the spring of 1939, eccentric Cambridge archaeologist Horatio Smith (Leslie Howard) takes a group of British and American students to Nazi Germany to help excavate for evidence of the Aryan origins of German civilization. Smith has a secret agenda to free inmates of the concentration camps, going so far as to dress as a scarecrow in a field to divert attention from himself. However, he is wounded by a German soldier engaging in a bit of target practice. Smith is able to go on and free a celebrated pianist from a work gang. His students guess his secret when they see an inquiry and connect the story about the latter-day Scarlet Pimpernel in a newspaper. They immediately volunteer to help Smith. German Gestapo general von Graum (Francis Sullivan) is determined to find out the identity of the 'Pimpernel' and eliminate him. Von Graum joins forces with Ludmilla Koslowska (Mary Morris) by threatening to kill her father, a leading Polish democrat held prisoner by the Nazis. When Smith finds out, he promises Ludmilla he will free her father. Smith and his students masquerade as American journalists and visit the camp. They overpower the guards and put on their uniforms while freeing Ludmilla's father and some other inmates. By now von Graum is sure Smith is the man he is after, so he stops the train the professor is travelling on and unpacks various of Smith's crates only to find ancient artefacts from Smith's excavations. Von Graum is still holding Ludmilla captive, so Smith comes back for her. The general manages to capture them both at a border crossing. Smith informs von Graum that the artefacts disprove Nazi claims about the Aryan origins of Germans. He predicts the Nazis will destroy themselves. Then, Smith manages to escape and disappears into the fog. Will Smith ever return for Ludmilla? This is a classic anti-Nazi movie which no one will ever forget!
M**S
It works on a UK DVD player
Wasn’t convinced when I purchased this that it would work or be in English as when I’ve bought obscure films for my father they usually get sent back for the above reasons. Arrived in decent time from the USA in great condition and it does work. Dad is so happy
A**N
PIMPERNEL SMITH Region One from OLIVE FILMS DVD
So many reviews for what must be different DVDs. This review is for the OLIVE DVD issued 2016. Region One. A very good transfer. 4.3 ratio, clear B/W picture, good sound and easy to read optional English subtitles. No extras. As everyone will know this is a "propaganda" film in the true sense of the word, but none the worse for that. Leslie Howard played the "Pimpernel" as if it was the role he was born to play. He also directs skilfully, even if I felt the film sagged a bit in the middle (it is 2 hours long and maybe could have benefitted from losing 15 minutes...maybe). He is ably supported by a fine cast of British character actors as both his archaeological team and the ghastly Germans (principally The wonderful Francis Sullivan (sic) and Raymond "Crash" Huntley (that's me calling him "Crash"!!). David Tomlinson and Phillip Friend and Canadian Hugh McDermot are 3 of Leslie's team. Michael Rennie can be a spotted unbilled in a very small role as a German Officer in a POW camp. The love interest is surprisingly well played by Mary Morris. Suspense, light humour, no nasty violence. Just a vintage film of the period showing how to make a propaganda film entertaining.
M**T
A little known gem
This is my favourite film - it is an absolute masterpiece from beginning to end. The fact that Leslie Howard gave his powerful speech at the end, but never saw the conclusion of the war, moves me every time. He was the finest actor of his generation and deserves to be known for this, rather than the awful ‘Gone with the Wind’ which he personally detested. Treat yourself with this film, you won’t regret it.
P**Y
War Drama
Saw this films years ago, and loved it. Leslie Howard gives a very good performance and among the other actors is a very young David Tomlinson.The move is about a professor who smuggles scientists out of Nazi Germany.
R**W
A classic
Timeless classic. Never tire of watching it.
C**D
Watch and enjoy forget about life for a while
Excellent fast and easy down load
D**D
An absolute classic.
Excellent All Round AAAAAAAAAAA+++++++++++.This is by far my favourite propaganda film. Leslie Howard is great as usual with a sterling supporting cast. I especially like the part where Howards character gives "the captain of murderers" a warning about the path the Nazis are going down. Howards character is shy of the limelight and likes to blend into the background which helps in his quest to free captured men of science & other great minds. Really superb film.Dave Sheppard.
R**7
Love this film
I've loved this film forever, I can remember watching it as a boy in the 70's and enjoying it. Now owning my own copy is brilliant, I never get tired of the English being portrayed as very English, and the Germans (played by British actors) portrayed as being very German.. Or very much the way the British propaganda wanted both sides to be seen.
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