Performance & Direction: The Elusive Pimpernel Review
Last updated: January 27, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Elusive Pimpernel (1950) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Adventure.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Adventure is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Elusive Pimpernel features a noteworthy lineup led by David Niven . Supported by the likes of Margaret Leighton and Cyril Cusack , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Elusive Pimpernel (1950) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.9/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: The Elusive Pimpernel
Quick Plot Summary: The Elusive Pimpernel is a Adventure, Drama, Romance film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Elusive Pimpernel
Ending Breakdown: The Elusive Pimpernel attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to adventure resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the adventure themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Elusive Pimpernel reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Elusive Pimpernel?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Adventure films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Elusive Pimpernel
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $480.0K |
| Worldwide Gross | $140.0K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Elusive Pimpernel Budget
The estimated production budget for The Elusive Pimpernel is $480.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Elusive Pimpernel
All Cast & Crew →
The Elusive Pimpernel Parents Guide & Age Rating
1950 AdvisoryWondering about The Elusive Pimpernel age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Elusive Pimpernel is 109 minutes (1h 49m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.9/10, and global performance metrics, The Elusive Pimpernel is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1950 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Elusive Pimpernel worth watching?
The Elusive Pimpernel is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Adventure movies. It has a verified rating of 5.9/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Elusive Pimpernel parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Elusive Pimpernel identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Elusive Pimpernel?
The total duration of The Elusive Pimpernel is 109 minutes, which is approximately 1h 49m long.
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How The Elusive Pimpernel Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Elusive Pimpernel
David Niven takes on the mantle of Baroness Orczy's hero in this classy but a little lightweight take on the escapades of the "Scarlet Pimpernel". Hugely successful at smuggling doomed artisto's from under the nose of the Reign of Terror, the French authorities charge "Chauvelin" (Cyril Cusack) to track down the culprit. He has some leverage with the new and glamorous "Lady Blakeney" (Margaret Leighton) and so offers her the life of her brother if she will agree to help him. She just happens to be married to the foppish "Sir Percy", but is he so useless as his persona suggests? Niven is on quite good form in this; there is enough intrigue to keep it moving along well and Leighton can always be relied upon to deliver competently (even if this is far from her best effort). It's not the best Powell & Pressberger film, but it is still a polished adventure with a soupçon of humour as we head to an exciting last fifteen minutes. Perhaps not as good as Leslie Howard's 1934 iteration, but Niven looks like he enjoyed making it and I enjoyed watching it, too.
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
