The Scarlet and the Black

The Scarlet and the Black
Directed by	Jerry London
Produced by	Bill McCutchen
Written by	J.P. Gallagher (novel)
Screenplay by	David Butler
Based on	The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican
Starring	Gregory Peck Christopher Plummer John Gielgud Barbara Bouchet Fabiana Udenio
Music by	Ennio Morricone
Cinematography	Giuseppe Rotunno
Edited by	Benjamin A. Weissman
Production company	ITC Entertainment
Distributed by	Columbia Broadcasting System
Release date	February 2, 1983
Running time	143 min.
Language	English

The Scarlet and the Black is a 1983 television film starring Gregory Peck and Christopher Plummer. The production should not be confused with the 1993 British television miniseries Scarlet and Black, which starred Ewan McGregor and Rachel Weisz.

Based on J. P. Gallagher's book The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican (published in 1967), the film tells the story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, a real life Irish-born Roman Catholic priest who saved thousands of Jews and escaped Allied POWs in Rome. It was directed by Jerry London.

The title The Scarlet and the Black is a reference not only to the black cassock and scarlet sash worn by Monsignores and bishops in the Roman Catholic Church, but also to the dominant colors of Nazi Party regalia.

In 1943, the Nazi military occupies Rome. Pope Pius XII (John Gielgud) is approached by General Max Helm and SS Head of Police for Rome Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Kappler (Christopher Plummer). The Colonel expresses concern that escaped Allied prisoners may attempt to seek refuge in the Vatican, and requests permission to paint a white line across St. Peter's Square in order to mark the extent of Vatican sovereignty. The Pope grants his permission, but when the SS officers leave, he sees out of the window that the white line had already begun to be painted.

Kappler's main antagonist is Monsignor O'Flaherty (Gregory Peck), an Irish-born Vatican priest who runs an underground organization which provides safe haven and escape to escaped POWs, Jews, and refugees in Rome. O'Flaherty is assisted in this enterprise by others, including locals, clergy and the diplomatic corps. The Nazis attempt to destroy the group, but Kappler is frustrated by O'Flaherty's successes, due to his cleverness, disguises, and stressing the limits of the Vatican's neutrality.