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 to her horror (and simultaneous delight) that "he" is the Pimpernel. He had hidden behind the persona of a dull, slow-witted fop to deceive the world. He had not told Marguerite because of his worry that she might betray him, as she had the Marquis de St. Cyr. Desperate to save her husband, she decides to pursue Percy to France to warn him that Chauvelin knows his identity and his purpose. She persuades Sir Andrew Ffoulkes to accompany her, but because of the tide and the weather, neither they nor Chauvelin can leave immediately. At Calais, Percy openly approaches Chauvelin