Pimpernel Smith

A fun and snappy adventure, but like so many films of the war-era it's heartbreakingly naive about the nature of the camps. Hugh McDermott's bad accent is pretty funny - I didn't even realize he was supposed to be American until they outright say it.

In “Pimpernel Smith,” Leslie Howard crafts an adaptation of the "Scarlet Pimpernel" story, setting it during the lead-up to WWII. By directing the film himself, Howard seamlessly aligns the movie with his vision of the character, delivering a masterful performance. While it contains a few preachy moments and lacks action, the film still offers an enjoyable and compelling journey.

An excellent reworking of "The Scarlet Pimpernel" into a WW2 propaganda piece.

Leslie Howard reworking his success as The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934) with a modern day Nazi angle as 'Pimpernel' Smith (1941), infiltrating the Third Reich with in his sly British manner. The fat knob, head of the Nazis, didn't have a clue and Howard played him lovely like a fool. I prefer the classic Pimpernel, but it's propaganda time and for that this was very entertaining at times.

Starts as a chipper British comedy and firmly in the Boy's Adventure genre. But it deepens, and with the (inevitable) introduction of The Woman it shifts back and forth into being a genuine Film Noire - and a proper Cold War flick despite obviously predating the actual Cold War (or even occupied France of WW2). Expertly handled piece, easy and fun, it was my first Leslie Howard film and really was a delight for me to watch.

Great concept badly done.