Original subtitles

Don't be afraid. I won't harm you.

I've got a pimpernel.

I'm taking you away from here.

Time was, Citizen Libesberg, when they wanted liberty.

I gave them liberty.

Then they wanted equality.

I gave them equality and... Now what do they want?

Fraternity. Don't be ridiculous.

They want money.

Or blood.

Unless we have no money and... perfect blood.

Blood it'll have to be.

But not mine.

Not yet.

Then whose is it?

Yours.

On Friday we were to have given them the heads of the Baroness Bridois and her

pretty daughter.

Special treat to me as I grew up in the shadows of their chateau in Arras.

Although the Baron died of shock at the prospect of the revolution, his family

have long been of interest to me.

The Pimpernel deprived us of the pleasure of their execution.

And as finding the Pimpernel is your task, and you have singularly failed in

that task, the mob will accept you as a disappointing but adequate substitute.

But, but, but, but, but, but, but only bring me the Pimpernel, and we will

the mob and save your neck for another occasion.

I'm doing all I can, sir. I have spies everywhere, not using the English court.

He's a good man, not you.

Oh, yes, he is. And if anyone could find him... That is all.

And his eyes.

Oh, those eyes.

Bright and brave.

And his voice was strong, but gentle, calm.

He did nothing. He would do anything.

Truly, I would follow that man to the gates of hell.

There's no time.

What? Where's your mother?

She's next door.

Catch her, immediately.

Such a man with me. We were imprisoned, awaiting our fate. He came and brought

us with safety.

You must jump.

It is nothing compared to the guillotine.

Watch.

Come on.

Jump, lady, jump. Let's all be lost.

Danger.

What is the danger? He cared nothing for danger.

There were hundreds of soldiers. We were surrounded.

Our situation was desperate. We were outnumbered 20 to 1. Why not 40 to 1?

the musket balls flew, and the wheels span, and he whipped up the horses, and

just flew.

Like the wind? We flew like the wind.

Your Highness, Scarlet Pimnel is a man capable of anything, even in

the teeth of death.

He laughed.

Oh, plenty.

Absolutely plenty.

If only he were here now.

You mock, sir, the death and the horror they have borne, the danger and daring

of their liberation, and you find this amusing.

Enormously. Tell me, Manzo, would you know him again if he were here?

I think you would.

A brave and honourable hero would stand out in this crowd, what?

Very good, Percy, very good.

Tell me, Sir Percy, do you find courage and honour to be a matter of ridicule?

I rarely find them at all, no matter how hard I look. Then perhaps you should

stop looking in the glass.

Well said, Francis.

If creeping unbidden into a lady's boudoir is courageous and honourable...

then perhaps there are more heroes among us than one might imagine. And heroes

we need.

Men who lay down their lives for what life ought to be, not what life happens

be.

The blade that is snuffing out life after life across the water might come

way. And a few laughing buffoons might just laugh their heads off.

If there aren't enough heroes to help them. Oh, my, my. Heady stuff indeed.

Now, is that reason or treason that you speak?

Oh, be silent, the pair of you.

Dear lady.

Would you know him again if he were here amongst us?

Well, he was masked.

Of course, yes.

Of course!

Now, I have an idea.

His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales.

Great son.

Splendid! Great son.

Now,

Claudette, can you find your Pimpernel?

All you need is a pair of eyes, both bright and brave.

I trapped the ghastly pimp in her mask. Don't become a la mode, it isn't.

It'd be devilish unfair of those of us that cheat with it. I think it devilish

unfair of you not to play, Percy.

Then I shall.

William?

Excuse me, your highness.

Professor, you're... Great sport,

what? Yes.

Yes.

Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you.

This is a dangerous and foolish game, Percy.

Forgive me, William. I grant I may have been a little self -indulgent.

You are he.

You are the Pimpernel.

I am the Pimpernel. Don't be afraid.

I won't hurt you.

I think you may.

You have it in your power to hurt me a great deal.

My Lord, how could you?

Your secret is safe with me.

Oh, dear.

Claudette, you must understand.

This passion cannot be built upon foundations of deceit.

You think that... Why don't you trust me?

I am yours. You know that, don't you? I will never let you down.

I have always dreamt of meeting you. I have kept records of your exploits. I am

yours. My life and my body are yours.

Now tell me you're not the Pimpernel.

We should be going to the morgue. Our presents will be made.

They're both mad.

Oh, I thought it rather enchanting.

That's something alien, my lady.

Did you find your pimpernel and lose your heart? You, sir, would do well to

your own business.

Especially as you and he have absolutely nothing in common. Oh, I don't know.

I hear the man is a rogue and a tantrum.

How refreshing to be punched by a lady.

Apologise, sir.

Apologise for being drenched.

Now, my lord, you apologise to me.

I will have satisfaction, young man.

If you keep your expectations and appetite to modest levels, you will

have satisfaction.

Boy, heed my words. You'll be prudent to take this matter no further.

Tomorrow, sir.

Dawn.

At Boxhall Fields.

Oh, my.

Your Highness, dueling is prescribed by law. It must be stopped.

Tush, tush. I love a duel.

I heard no mention of a duel.

Nobody here heard mention of a duel.

You're not actually going to kill him?

Are you?

It wouldn't be very good to kill him.

Of course I'm not going to kill him, you fool.

What if he chooses pistols?

I'll have to hope he's a good shot.

A good shot?

If I'm not going to try to shoot him, I'm damned if he's going to shoot me.

What if he's a bad shot?

Weatherby, will you...

If he's a bad shot, I might well get hurt, which will pain me grievously for

sake of saving the skin of that puffed -up little upstart.

Where the devil is he?

Hopefully on a boat to the Indies.

I fear not.

It will take a great deal more than a powdered poppin' to make Lord Sidney

to his knees.

I see, madam, the time has done nothing to diminish your ardour.

What hope, Percy?

You're still at it with the young girl, eh?

One drink in the face, not enough for you.

It seems to me that the two of you should be dueling, huh?

My

lord,

it's not too late. I love her, Dutton.

I really love her.

Are you going to tell her you're not the Pimpernel? I never saw so beautiful a

thing.

I'm sure she'll realise soon enough when she sees your jewellery. I must have

her. No.

I must endeavour to be worthy of her affections for the Pimpernel.

You'll be killed.

I don't mind.

I must at least have tried.

You didn't see her, Dutton.

She is like a tiger in the eye, and yet the softest lamb.

The softest breast on which to rest one's head in joy or sorrow.

She is the lion and the lamb in one perfect home.

A man might dream but to see such a woman, but to have her offer herself

You have got it bad.

What is causing this delay?

I say, what is this?

I'm really looking forward to this.

Where the devil is he?

The young buck appears loath to leave the warmth of his bed behind.

Lord Sidney has been kidnapped on his way here.

There are those who might think it to be some ruse on your part.

We hope it is not so.

Jabot!

Oh, dear.

Water.

For pity's sake, a drop of water. Must I not permit it to come any closer?

Let's just overpower it, storm in the ship, and tail yourself back to England.

Where is he?

Here, sir.

This is he?

This is the Pimpernel?

Oh, yes, it is now.

Without a doubt.

This is the Pimpernel?

Without a doubt, citizen.

I am not the Pimpernel.

He's not just going to admit it, is he?

Claudette de Bridois was rescued by the Pimpernel.

She identified this man as he.

She asked him if he was the Pimpernel. He replied that he was.

It wasn't like that. Then he kissed.

And she said it again.

She recognized him.

Was she mistaken?

I am Lord Francis Sidney. See?

He has the means, the connections, and cause.

You're a little scared, I warrant.

This is not the Scarlet Pimpernel.

This is a pathetic attempt, citizen Libethac, to save your own neck.

News travels fast.

And doubtless many of them saw his face when he brought him in here and now

believe he is the Pimpernel.

And are eagerly awaiting his execution on Friday. I don't think they'll accept

anything left.

You're learning fast, citizen.

Very well. Here's the pimp on our Friday.

But we will need a confession.

Why? Because I'm suing for peace with the English.

We cannot sustain a war with them in the West and the Austrians in the East.

Executing a member of the English court, however, will not help our diplomacy.

Unless we have a confession, then they can hardly complain.

I doubt that'll be a problem.

No.

Take him away.

Go on.

Galatea.

What? Forty each.

But what the deuce are we using some damned French expression for forty each?

I order you to find an English expression.

Deuce, if I can, Your Highness.

Forgive me, sir, but there's bad news from Paris.

Lord Sidney is detained in La Force prison and is to be executed on Friday.

What? Paris?

Execution? Why?

Well, they say he's the Pimpernel.

They say?

Lord Sidney? Who'd have thought it?

What is all this, Weatherby? Well, you had a lucky escape there, Percy, eh?

Dueling with the Pimpernel, what? That's why he betrayed him.

You sold him to the French on a boat to the Indies. I heard you say it.

To avoid a duel.

A man who has saved countless souls from horror, from despair, from hideous

death, and you sold him.

And it wasn't just the duel.

You saw him as a rival.

What? I've seen you looking at me.

Deny it if you have the gall.

Game.

To love, I'd say.

What a spirit, that one, eh?

A little bit dizzy.

Well, what now, Percy?

Lakeley Hall.

Now? And to France.

Why? To save him.

I thought you loved the little pipsqueak. I do.

Wanted you to have our food.

We're to die tomorrow anyway.

All of you?

We're not afraid to die.

We deem it an honour to be with the man who has done so much for us, for our

kind, over the years.

Oh, please.

I'm not the pimp now. Of course, I understand.

We will take your courage as our example.

The boy wanted to meet you, to shake your hand, but he was too shy to ask.

It would make him very proud.

Unlock him.

Remarkably scientific.

And they managed to inflict the greatest amount of pain, longest possible time.

But I don't think we shall be needing them, though, shall we?

I have a theory.

Not a universal truth, but a good rule of thumb.

That most people that allow themselves to be subjected to extended torture

actually enjoy it.

either through masochism, heroism, or because they believe they deserve it.

But I don't think you fall into any of those categories, do you?

But I'm not the Pimpernel.

I know.

Which is why you'll sign here.

Oh, do not pity yourself too much.

In a wide compass of human suffering, your brief discomfort, your life even,

is but a speck of dust in the wind.

I want the guard, treble, day and night.

Scarlet Pippinel goes to the guillotine on Friday, or you do. Do you understand?

Yes, citizen.

You really think you'll try to escape?

Of course he won't.

But the real Pimpernel will try to get in.

Lord Sidney is not the Pimpernel, you fool.

The real Pimpernel is brave, cunning, and above all, vain.

He will want to protect his reputation, which is why he will come.

Believe me.

You'll be a good girl while Papa's away.

Protect and love her.

Robespierre's appointed a new man, Libesac. He's a fiend.

Apparently, he's tipped to take Robespierre's place because the capture

Pimpernel has elevated his standing.

And we should just have to cut off his legs.

Heaven only knows what help we can count on in Paris now.

This news of the Pimpernel's capture has meant the League are in the lowest

spirits. Then I shall lift them.

How? By throwing away your life on a romantic whim, trying to impress a girl

who's young enough to be your... I have no interest in a girl. I simply wish to

save the preposterous object of her affection so they can be reunited.

Hmm. More Pimper than Pimpernel. What?

Get in.

I'm laughed at at court.

Damned if I'm going to allow that pipsqueak... To go to the guillotine for

Exactly.

Imagine the chatter if Sidney were to weep upon the scaffold.

Sir Percy is mocked for his cowardice at court.

And in France, the name of the Pimpernel is diminishing by the hour. And I'm

damned if I let him massacre both my reputations.

Ah, so it is vanity, pure and simple.

I do not underestimate vanity.

That vanity, there would be no Versailles, no Zadok the priest, no

-knotted cravat.

Now, those are things worth dying for.

Just as I'm dying for my bed, dear friend.

We will establish a plan in the morning. Very good.

Good night, William.

Good night, Percy.

Come into the war.

Catch your death.

That expected pleasure.

You must be cold and exhausted.

An hour sitting outside my house in the freezing cold.

More than two hours on the road.

A little swim, a little climbing.

What a redoubtable, if headstrong, girl you are.

I'm a woman.

And you are a devil.

Here. You may change into your dry clothes at your leisure.

When you have told me what it is you want.

I'll kill you.

Help yourself.

You may be more used to us alive.

Used? To us? To my Lord Sidney.

Your Lord Sidney? Don't mock me, sir.

Have a care not to forget I am still holding your pistol.

You're going to France, yes?

To collect your blood money.

What have I done, pray, to make you think so ill of me?

Perhaps I'm not as you imagine.

You call me a coward, but do I tremble with death facing me across my table?

are the devil.

You're brave only in the face of another's anguish.

One man's valour is often another man's demise.

Somebody has to lose. You see, you scoff at other people's pain.

The Scarlet Pimpernel mocks only his own adversity.

He weeps at the sufferings of others.

How do you know? You've met him but once.

And the first time he saved my life.

I know his worth in his eyes and in his deeds. He is a great spirit. And you,

Sir Percy, you're a traitor.

You're a rogue and you're a liar.

May I defend myself?

Taking those three things in reverse order, when did I lie? The metal vest

lie. The metal vest could have saved your precious lord from exile or the

hangman's noose.

Dueling is a capital offence. So you are not alive. I'm not. Where are you

going? To France.

Why are you going?

There. The pause preceding the lie.

I'm on a secret mission.

And what mission is that?

A secret embassy. Some tentative hands are reaching out for peace.

I have... I have been dispatched to make covert appreciation... Lies.

Of what the powers in Paris have in mind.

Then take me with you.

But I'm a traitor.

I'll surely hand you straight to your enemies for a few more pieces of silver.

I'll take the charge. Why?

To save my love.

I have friends in Paris, so does he.

The League of the Pimpernel. I'll find them and we will rescue him.

Or I will die in the attempt.

Child, this is not a game.

You will stay here and return with the boat to England. I will jump off and

swim. I'll catch the next boat. I'll fly if I have to. But nothing will keep me

back. I owe him my life.

And my life he will have. I am too tired for this nonsense.

If you've quite decided against shooting me, I shall retire and swear.

My bed is yours.

Do you really think that I'm such a fool as to think that this is loaded?

There.

Sleep well now.

The ship docked an hour ago.

Sorry, old thing. Had to make some travelling arrangements.

Why are you still dressed in your...

Who's the boy?

Claudette.

Rather fine seat, wouldn't you say?

Her seat? I had no choice.

The girl dropped in on me last night.

I couldn't reveal myself to the pimp now.

Well, I should instruct her to return on the daydream. No.

Why not?

Because she's devilish hard to instruct.

How might she be such a tiger when her mother is like a jelly?

Good day, chap.

You can't go to Paris dressed as a Percy. Why not?

I fancy it's so brazen it might just work.

Anyhow, the guards will be looking out for a chap disguised as a bike peddler

than such an old... I fear for your sanity.

Besides, they haven't been put out now.

Perhaps the guards have been given a holiday.

Gentlemen! We're on our way to the Committee of Public Safety.

A secret mission from the British government.

Can I see your official papers, please? That's the whole point. It's a secret

mission. There are no papers.

Just these.

Please, let me help you.

If you'll permit me.

Someone will leave.

Another one?

Did he refer to me?

It's the Pimpernel.

Oh, right there.

Do not be fooled by appearances. This is a dangerous and desperate man.

Oh, certainly desperate.

The carriage journey has danced a minuet with my intestines.

Would you have a closet? Shut up.

If we took this buffoon to the guillotine, the mob would have us up

him in a trice. The guillotine?

Oh, please.

I shouldn't like that.

I shouldn't like that at all.

He's not what he seems.

At least allow me to question him further.

Citizen, are you mad?

Is there anyone you wouldn't try to pass off to me as the Pimpernel in order to

save your neck?

We have a signed confession from Lord Sidney accepting that he is the

The crowd has seen his face and awaited his execution on Friday.

Oh, I say, poor Sidney.

But imagine that young lad snatching all those people from underneath your noses

by their thousands for years.

And they are poor like Sidney.

If you think that Lidley's too young to die, perhaps you would allow yourself to

be put in his stead.

Choose to go to the guillotine.

Somebody else.

Your citizen friend is right. You are mad.

Cut the little blighter's head off. There's nothing in it anyway.

What are you doing here?

Aye, sir.

Having heard about peace and conciliation, I thought I'd come and

wine cellar, visit my favourite tailor.

Season in London is so...

Tragically dull. It's all sepia browns and hues of mullet and mulberry. Enough.

I know this man.

It's Sir Percy Blakeney, a friend of the Prince of Wales and known throughout

Europe as a fop and a dandy.

My apologies, Sir Percy.

My stupid lieutenant has made an error for which I am very sorry.

Please forgive us.

Now, Citizen Libesack, I have an appointment at the Jacketing Club within

hour. So kindly.

I'll be watching you I do so love an audience

Traitor of one.

Obviously, we need to get the young puppy out from the falls.

with two or three times the usual number of guards.

They've been taking on five or more extra men a day. It's as if... as if

been waiting for you.

Do you have any League members in there, among their guards?

I'm sorry, Percy, we should have, but it's not been easy. The League is...

Nibusaka's really sucked at their will. They're scared, Percy.

I understand.

We'll just have...

Will you?

Nice of you to pop in.

Take it from me, child.

Don't throw your life away for the sake of a man. Don't interfere, Nanny. You

don't understand. We were dead.

He saved us.

And now he's in trouble. I could do naught but help him.

But you don't understand. Enough, Nanny.

I'm not doing anything dangerous.

Just getting information.

You promised.

Nothing dangerous.

I promise.

Very well.

But don't ask me to cut your hair.

We'll put it under a hat.

And I have the very one.

Thank you so much.

Where have they all gone?

Are they all dead?

Let us say that none of them are as tall as they once were.

The children do.

Children first.

Parents watching.

So that they can understand what it was like as we watched our children die of

hunger in front of us.

Powerless to help.

Manacled by poverty, class.

An accident of birth.

Some more company for you.

We're taking them on as fast as we can.

So, you want to join the army, boy?

You'll be doing eight -hour watches, one on, one off.

One day off every two weeks.

Two libras a week, two loaves of bread and half a liter of wine a day. Do you

understand? Yes, Sergeant.

Any experience of guard work?

Yeah, I was a chateau vigilante. Several months.

Not a great accommodation, since all the prisoners escaped.

Not while I was on duty.

And you are familiar with both pistol and sword?

Familiar with pistol and sword.

But not with a razor.

I am but 17.

Remove your hat when you're addressing an officer.

I think perhaps I'm not suited. Remove your hat.

Who are you?

She is Claudette de Bridois.

I am.

And who are you?

Me?

Well, I am nobody, your ladyship.

My, my, better and better.

Lock her up.

Come on, you. And find us something more suitable to wear to meet Citizen

Robespierre. Move.

There must be a way.

Every problem has a key.

They've got the girl, Claudette. What?

They were talking in the bakery this morning.

Apparently she just walked in to La Force trying to get taken on as a guard.

Stupid girl.

She's due in the Palais de Justice in an hour.

Yes sir!

Good ladies are better.

I'll kill you all.

I will kill you.

My sister, she hates the aristocrats.

Don't worry about it. You tell me what to worry about.

One imprudent move from you and your prospect of fatherhood will be blasted

Bordeaux.

What's going on?

Nothing. Oh, come on then.

Turn around.

Very slowly.

Feel that?

Good. Now stand still.

Slightest movement, and I fire.

Understood?

Will you come on?

You float!

What?

A man with a white face.

I was her wet nurse.

She's the best and bravest child who ever walked this earth.

She does not... Don't be afraid. Great sister.

You're my friends.

We know Claudette.

You say you were her nurse, her nanny, and that you lived with the Baron and

Baroness de Bridois?

I've said too much.

Forgive our appearance.

It's not idle fancy, I assure you. Our lives are not worth a sue in the city.

We... We are members of the League of the Pimpernel.

Madame.

You are a great man.

I have a great cause. Not least in helping me save Claudette.

If we only knew how.

What?

She is not the child of the Pritoise.

That does not surprise me.

I have more that will.

She is my child.

My mother worked for the Baron.

They agreed to take her as theirs.

You cannot perhaps know what it is like to let your child go.

But they took me on as wet nurse.

From a place of despair, I found myself in paradise.

They were kind. My child flourished and became a lady.

A little wild, perhaps, but a fine lady, nonetheless.

And the father?

Oh, ambitious, strong -minded.

He seemed the very embodiment of this country's salvation.

I could not let my petty concerns hold him back.

We were both so young.

So I slipped away.

I never told him there was a child.

Oh, my.

He became a brilliant lawyer in the town nearby, in Arath.

So on it was he they called him the Incorruptible.

Robespierre.

But power corrupted him soon enough.

I cannot recognise him as the man I loved.

Claudette is the daughter of Robespierre.

She does not know.

Indeed, she must never know. I must have your word.

And you have, madame.

I came to rescue the Scarlet Pimpernel. I owe him my life.

Then I shall help you settle that debt.

On Friday, you and Lord Sidney will be united with the blessing of Monsignor

Guillotine.

Two more spoiled children choking to death on their silver spoons.

My parents...

to pay for your education.

Nonsense. Your parents gorged themselves in their ivory tower while the people

of Arras starved in the street.

They were fair.

They helped the poor, the hungry, the needy. Your parents had shoes for every

hour of every day of every week while the rest of us went barefoot.

I suppose it is at present your privilege to write history how you will.

time will come when your story will be confined to a small, dark, shameful

chapter in the annals of our betrayed people.

Such a talent for words.

And so few breaths left on which to form them.

I have more important things to confirm me than the lives of a few puffed -up

parasites. Take her to the court.

Libersack, stay.

I'm strangely content.

We have a spectacle for the people.

I've decided to hold the executions at Les Invalides.

Both the girl and Lord Sidney as the pimp now.

The people of Paris will have a double header.

Somebody has to run this country and confront the realities of life.

Well, madam, can you save the Scarlet Pimpernel now?

My faith in him will not be shaken by the likes of you.

Or that monster, your master.

So your encounter with Citizen Rose here did not impress you, my lady?

Never mind.

You'll have plenty of time to defend yourself in court before your execution.

Who are you?

The devil are you?

Pastry seller, sir.

Pastries? I never ordered any pastries. Citizen Rose here, sir.

Victoria's sweet tooth.

Very well.

Let him through.

Hurry up.

Do not fear. He'll visit her.

Well done.

Delicious pastries.

Very well.

Happy Saturday. Thank you.

Let him in.

Go away. I'm very bitter. Not a sound.

Excuse me, citizen. This man said he had some pastries for you. I can see that.

Leave us.

Who are you?

A humble wayside flower.

Anagalis Avensis.

A cure for distemper.

and a purgative tending to promote a looseness of the bowels.

Pimpernel.

The real one.

Committee of Public Safety.

Not wholly successful, since most of the public are particularly unsafe.

Dead, even.

Your masterly diatribe, Principle to Political Morality.

I've read it. It's hilarious.

To be lectured on morality by the devil.

What do you want?

Your blood.

Not to take it, but to spare it.

Many years ago, when you were young and partly, briefly human, and indulging in

what I take to be a fleeting flirtation with those of the opposite sex, you knew

a woman.

Martha Deladier.

What fever drove her into the arms of an arachnid such as you? One can only

imagine the darkest of dreams.

But that unfortunate union bore fruit.

What? A girl.

Taken in by a kindly and barren couple who lived nearby.

That child took the name of her new parents. She became known as Claudette

Bridois. The child whose head you so eagerly intend to remove.

This is ridiculous.

I don't believe you. Your loss, not mine.

legal custody.

Conspiracies affect the escape of others.

You.

is a court of law.

Justice must be done and seen to be done.

Young woman, how old?

I spit on your floor to mock, to pretend to defend when in truth you slav my

death. I thought that you'd abolished God.

Now's the time to move. We have him.

I can save you, but I need...

I have said to you before, our revolution is worthless if all it offers

butchery and terror.

We must replace tyranny with justice.

You've also said, Citizen Robespierre, in your Principles of Political

without terror.

Why not say in that same paper, it is better to spare the lives of a hundred

guilty people than to sacrifice one innocent?

You have also said, let him beware who suffers the dangerous intrigue to

She is the spawn of the oppressor.

Her death will purify our revolution.

Read the next passage.

to innocence. Pardon the unfortunate.

Show compassion.

She is neither innocent nor unfortunate.

Children cannot be blamed for the crimes of their parents.

We are all the children of France.

Must we all be prosecuted for the crimes that went before?

The spring of government during revolution is virtue combined with

corruption of the royal

I told you so.

What?

You? Me.

He attacked me when I tried... When you became intoxicated with the unfamiliar

liquor of sentiment, my friend.

Claudette, the girl, where is she? She's on the dark and slippery path to death,

like so many thousands before her who found themselves in your hands.

Lost and found.

Lost again. Not necessarily.

Listen.

What the... Here,

put these on.

But I can't find... You need to find the girl.

Which girl?

Claudette. Claudette?

Ah!

Ah! Ah!

My word.

Claudette is here. Yes.

Why? She came to rescue you.

Oh, my dear, sweet love.

Come on.

Where is she?

Which cell is she in? Look out! Ah!

Hey, stay here.

But where are you going?

Come on, darling.

Last one on the left. Give me the keys.

Sidney, follow me.

Where is she?

That way.

Deal with them. Me?

Do it.

Oh, God.

Leave him.

Leave him.

This way.

Come on.

If your president wants to quieten them off, they will give me France as well.

He stayed loyal to me.

What the... What the devil is going on?

Where is old Sidney?

Citizen, we'd be massacred by the pimpernel. What?

What are you grinning at, you idiot? Are you mad?

We were ordered by citizen Rosebeer to allow the Pimpernel to pass unhindered.

What?

A matter of supreme national importance, he said. Shut up.

It's been a mistake.

I want them captured or killed.

Now, which way do they go?

To the girl.

Come on!

Follow me!

If you want me to, for heaven's sake.

My Lord Sidney!

I never doubted you would come.

My love, it is you at last.

What can have possessed you to come? But you're... Lord Sidney, who are you?

Oh, my lord.

I will deal with them.

No, you fool. Oh, lord, help me. Is it a monster?

It's mine.

These are for real.

Be that as it may.

I must go.

Keep your courage.

I'll come again.

It's been a long time, Maxim.

You're leaving?

Yeah.

And I had hoped to take my daughter with me, Claudette.

Claudette de Bridois is our daughter.

Yes.

A fine daughter, one you should be proud of.

Yes. Yes, indeed.

I have thought... I've thought of many things lately.

Thoughts that a dedicated servant of the people should not have.

It frightened me how easily and even how attractively different

my life might have been with a wife and child.

You should not fear your feelings.

I have feelings.

Only feelings for France, for the Republic, for the people.

I am the people.

I pity you, Maxim.

You could have been a good man.

I should pity your daughter.

I'm afraid...

The attempt to release her tonight has failed. No!

Tomorrow she is to be executed alongside the Pimpernel, who the people of Paris

believe to be the Pimpernel.

You failed her in court, Maxim.

You cannot fail her now!

You may have her.

Tell your friend the Pimpernel that he may save Claudette.

I will hold back the guards until she has made her escape, but he must leave

Lord Sidney to his fate.

Tell him.

Citizen, do you not find the seat too large?

A surprisingly good fit, citizen.

Perhaps you shall have it one day.

I'm going to have tired of it.

Are you not finding yourself somewhat uncomfortable already?

I was not the only one surprised by your weakness in the courtroom yesterday.

But I was certainly one of the few who knew the cause of your discomfort.

The girl is your child.

There is not a woman, be she weak or strong, rich or poor, blameless or

with corruption, who is not a daughter of the revolution and a child of my

citizen.

I have the girl.

I have Lord Sidney.

And I can...

both of you. No.

Your fanciful theories of her parentage are too ridiculous for anyone to take

seriously.

The wet nurse is on her way to England and nobody else can testify to anything.

And how do you hope to explain your attempt at her liberation?

The girl had agreed to spy for me in the English court.

To be of value, it had to appear that you had escaped.

I contracted a man to pretend to be the Pimpernel and rescue her.

But you made a mess of it all.

I get it.

Less ridiculous than suggesting she is my daughter.

Particularly when I shall be expediting her execution tomorrow and attending in

person and not flinching for a moment when she is cut in two.

And she will be executed.

As will Lord Sidney.

You attempt to laugh in the face of your own destruction.

I will bring your daughter before the Committee of Public Safety and expose

attempt on her freedom.

I have your fate in my hands. No, I have your fate in mine.

Understand me, little one.

You're not even an acorn to my oak.

You're but a small branch growing in the shade of my greatness.

Should you try to cut me down, you will fall with me. In the eyes of the

Committee, my failures are your failures.

Should they remove me, they will not put you in my place.

But if I should prosper and choose my moment to retire from the glare,

you shall certainly step into the vacuum I leave behind me.

Do we understand each other?

Good.

I offer you a share in a great day for France.

Tomorrow, the death of the Pimpernel will mean that every man and woman in

France will praise our names.

We will have turned a corner.

The battle won, and the flame of opposition will stutter and fail.

I shall announce you as my deputy and appointed successor.

Do we understand each other?

And the girl, she will die too.

Of course.

My Lord Sidney?

Is that you?

My Lord?

Yes.

It is I.

I'm sorry, Claudette.

I tried to tell you I'm not the Pimpernel. I didn't have the strength.

I suppose nothing matters anymore.

The manner of our death matters.

We must be brave.

You must be brave.

Today you will die as the Pimpernel.

And you must show not a shadow of fear.

Robespierre and his gun will stand in awe when they see the metal of those

oppose them.

Will you be brave?

I will try, my love.

Good man.

I will see you on the scaffold, and you will be the Pimpernel, and you will be

my love.

Yes, my lady.

I won't let you down.

confoundedly unpopular.

Which are the rosettes?

These, especially primed. Excellent.

Now, we have three league members in the square at this end and another ten by

the entrance.

How do we tell each other apart?

They're like us, tramps and beggars.

Ah, it lowers the tone considerably.

I think the Teutons are not what they once were.

No, they're not.

On my signal, we surround the cart as it enters the yard, armed and facing

outwards. Understood.

A ring of steel. Good.

I still think that we should just save the girl. The moment we make a move

towards Sydney, if Robespierre releases the guard, we're caught like wrapped in

a trap.

I cannot.

And there's the monster himself.

This is madness.

If they close the gates, we're dead.

Robespierre. As a daughter and a reputation, we are both prisoners to our

emotions. Besides, if I did nothing and the world came to know it, what of my

name then?

It's folly to be ruled by emotion in such a dangerous time.

How might one separate one's life from one's emotions?

By dying?

He is here.

Give my instructions to the guard.

Tell me, where did you get that from?

I don't know

except for the men to stay in here.

Nobody moves till I give the word.

Do you understand?

Now, surely the name is Satan.

He carries himself well.

Something's wrong.

Where's Claudette?

By other two carriages.

Why have they separated them?

kills himself.

Save the boy!

revolution, we execute the arch -villain.

Citizens,

it is not Robespierre you need to thank, but others.

Others who have worked tirelessly for your happiness.

Others who have not put their selfish interests above those of the Republic.

long speeches.

Until the next time.

Let loose the guards!

Let loose the guards!

Let loose the guards! Let loose

the

guards!

The door jammed, citizen Rosebeard.

And by the time the guards reached the street, we were halfway to the cove.

And so, my lord, are you now revealed to us at the

Pimpernel? No, your highness.

Only one proud to know him.

And proud of Phil to call him my friend.

What of the duel?

Ah, well, I feel my sword has better things to do than blunt its blade.

Blunt its blade.

Skinning rabbit.

Sir Percy and I are worlds apart.

He may go his way, and I shall go mine.

Bravo.

Well said.

Now, my dear, when you...

Happy in your work?

Oh, yes.

I do understand, but sometimes it would be nice to take the credit. That is

credit enough.

To have spotted that those two were ideal for each other and to have brought

them together.

What?

Did you really think that I had designs on the child?

Well, I thought her beautiful.

But more than anything, she reminded me of a time in my life many years ago.

And I devoutly wish that they too could fly in the way that Marguerite and I

have.

Why is it, friend, that even joy cuts through my heart like a knife?

It's called grief, Percy.

And the only cure is cards and claret.

Or confounding friendship.

Or jumping off high walls into haycarts.

Or a new cravat.

Or a fine hunter of eighteen hands.

Or teaching one's child to war.

Yeah. But not women.

No.

Women are a vexation.

All

right.

Drive on, Kate.