The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982 film) novels, detailed the successful rescue of the Dauphin from a French prison. Anthony Andrews had recently won the BAFTA for Best Actor for his performance in the 1981 serial "Brideshead Revisited", and was cast as Sir Percy Blakeney/Scarlet Pimpernel. In addition to that serial, Andrews was also known to American audiences through the PBS ITV& BBC shows "Danger UXB" and "The Duchess of Duke Street" as well as several other productions. London Films hoped that this popularity would lead to Andrews starring in a "Scarlet Pimpernel" series in the US, but this never occurred. Other cast members included Ian McKellen
The Scarlet Pimpernel of Augusto Pinochet; this brought him into conflict with the regime, and he eventually was forced to leave the country. This name was also given to Nelson Mandela prior to his arrest and long incarceration for his anti-apartheid activities in South Africa due to his effective use of disguises when evading capture by the police. Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat, was directly inspired by the film "Pimpernel Smith" to begin rescuing Hungarian Jews during World War II. Wallenberg issued false passports identifying the Jews as Swedish nationals, and is credited with rescuing at least 15,000 Jews. He disappeared in Eastern