Movie spotlight
Eccentric Cambridge archaeologist Horatio Smith takes a group of British and American archaeology students to pre-war Nazi Germany to help in his excavations. His research is supported by the Nazis, since he professes to be looking for evidence of the Aryan origins of German civilisation. However, he has a secret agenda: to free inmates of the concentration camps.
In Nazi-occupied Europe, a Cambridge professor, known for his pacifist views, secretly uses his academic travels as a cover to help prisoners of war escape German concentration camps. He operates under the guise of the legendary "Scarlet Pimpernel" of World War I fame, facing constant danger and outsmarting his pursuers.
"Pimpernel" Smith was a well-received propaganda film during its release, praised for its patriotic themes and thrilling narrative. While not a critical darling in the long term, it is remembered as a significant wartime film that blended adventure with anti-Nazi sentiment, resonating with audiences of the era.
Praised for its suspenseful plot and effective portrayal of wartime heroism.
Seen as a powerful anti-Nazi message delivered through an exciting adventure story.
The film's blend of intellectualism and action was noted as a key strength.
Google audience: Audience reception is not readily available through aggregated Google reviews for this historical film.
The film was part of a series of "Scarlet Pimpernel" adaptations, but this 1941 version is notable for its wartime setting and direct anti-Nazi message, differentiating it from earlier, more romantic interpretations.
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Leslie Howard is on good form here as the outwardly fastidious academic with a secret to keep. He decides to offer some of his students an holiday trip to Germany (just the boys!) so they can try to establish once and for all whether there ...