(no subject)

[deckardcanine]

I just finished watching The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934). Until recently, I knew little more than the title. Now I see that the Pimpernel is something like Zorro, only (1) he never fights and (2) the people he helps are fallen aristocrats. Those differences sound huge -- indeed, #2 applies to few fictional heroes -- but I assure you they're similar in other ways, most notably their type of secret identity.

It occurred to me that the last film hero I saw was Robocop, who is unusual among fictional heroes in his own way: he consistently upholds the law, at least in the first movie. At worst he's a bit unprofessional, like when he leaves an unconscious crook at the crime scene. I'm not saying that either of these guys is a role model, but I like to diversify my mental archive of heroes.

At one point in TSP, the dialog went, "What time?" "Ten o'clock." I looked over at my digital clock -- 10:00. I laughed.

Comments

[sleepyjohn00.livejournal.com]

The Pimpernel is fighting for justice, rather than the law, because the law is putting people to death who don't deserve it.

There was a pretty good TV 2- or 3-part miniseries of the Pimpernel back in the 80's, too.