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Series One, Film Two
n. Valentin Gaultier/Madame Guillotine (US) - TV Series (BBC) 1998: Ronan content: approx 4% |
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| Plot/Comments:
The Pimpernel meets his match when he is forced to confront the whip-wielding Gabrielle Damiens -- aka Mademoiselle Guillotine -- a notorious, bloodthirsty ultra-revolutionary sent by the Committee to be judge and jury in the counter-revolutionary Vendee. Sir Percy and Margueritte, aiming to rescue the stranded daughter of a French nobleman, head for this troubled region, where they meet a dashing young aristo, Monsieur Henri, who devotes his life to fighting against the revolution. Meanwhile, Chauvelin is plucked from alcoholic oblivion by Robespierre and despatched to stamp out Henri's rebellion in the countryside of his boyhood, where the buried secrets of his past force an impossible choice upon him... |
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| SERIES
ONE:
1) The Scarlet Pimpernel 3) A King's Ransom/The Kidnapped King ~ best in Series One |
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| The
script
really shines in this episode, especially when Margueritte is held
captive by Madame Guillotine, and Sir Percy musters all the
subterfuge, cunning, and charm that a chap could ever want for his rescue plan. In many ways, however, this episode really belongs to Martin Shaw (below right), who gets plenty of scope to flesh out a superb characterisation of Chauvelin. His character is never 'just' a villian, and he continually combines sensitivity with ruthlessness: you always get the feeling that while Chauvelin -- like many at the time -- sees the Revolution as an opportunity to increase his power and line his pockets, he has definitely been hurt in the past, and is determined not to be so again. |
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Ronan content: Robespierre's single scene in this episode is a good illustration of the quiet, controlling power that he has over Chauvelin: he knows what makes him tick; from the initially-refused fine wine, to the possible hint that he is aware of his past identity in the Vendee. |
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| n.
Historical
note
There are plenty of close-ups of a gore-spattered guillotine in this episode, which is quite fun for a PG-rated video. However, this episode can give the appearance that all nobles and priests were hunted. In reality, a Russian-style mass-extermination of all nobles was never carried out, and French priests were instructed to swear an oath of allegiance to France, rather than the Pope, who refused to recognise the Republic -- those priests who placed loyalty to the Vatican over France were termed 'non-juring' and imprisoned as potential counter-revolutionaries. While Madame Guillotine herself is entirely fictional, it is true that some representatives of the Committee (particularly those who later painted Robespierre as a bloodthirsty monster after overthrowing him) misused their legal powers to promote their own rabid anti-clericalism. This was a practice which infuriated Robespierre, who believed that it was both impossible and morally damaging to force the faith out of the populace. As a result, they massacred non-juring priests and other civilians considered by them to be 'counter-revolutionary': in attempting to quell the civil war in the Vendee, it is estimated that around 20-30,000 civilians were killed, and countless atrocities committed. |
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of Vibert's face remains in deep shadow for most of the episode. He is
very precise in his movements, softly-spoken and highly-registered in his
voice. For part of the scene his Robespierre attempts at familiarity, but
it is a sinister, unnatural familiarity: all predatory embalmed smiles.
It's a real Orczy demon-puppetmaster type scene, but an incredibly magnetic performance. While Ronan gets only one
scene, it is a real strength of the series that the principle male actors
in this series all turn in flawless multi-faceted performances.
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Typical Ronan Character Quote:
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