Nineteen actors have portrayed Simon Templar, the gentleman adventurer created by Leslie Charteris in 1928. Among the most memorable incarnations were George Sanders (in a series of 1930s films) and Vincent Price (who voiced the character on radio in the 1940s). But for baby boomers, there is only one Simon: Roger Moore, who starred in this classic 1960s British TV series. Moore makes a better Templar than he did a Bond (and he is certainly better than Val Kilmer, who stared in the 1997 feature film). This eagerly awaited boxed set contains three entertaining episodes, beginning with the gem "The Queen's Ransom," which launched the series' 1966 season and was the first episode in color. "The infamous Simon Templar" (who is also called "arrogant, smug, self-important, and impertinent") teaches a queen (Dawn Addams, who starred in Charlie Chaplin's last film, A King in New York) honesty and dignity as he accompanies her on a mission to sell her jewels to finance her deposed husband's coup. In the 1967 color episode "Interlude in Venice," Simon comes to the aid of an American heiress who becomes a pawn in a blackmail plot. Lois Maxwell (better known as James Bond's Miss Moneypenny) costars as her (wicked?) stepmother. In the 1966 color episode "The Russian Prisoner," Simon comes to the aid of a Russian scientist who has had "an attack of revisionism" and whom the KGB will stop at nothing to keep from defecting. Except for the gadgets, The Saint has all the pleasures of the Bond films: a real international man of mystery, exotic locations, cold war intrigue, sparkling bons mots, and beautiful (albeit chaste) women. --Donald Liebenson Amazon.com
I love the Saint and I enjoyed watching the episodes contained on Set 1 of the Saint. However, I was terribly disappointed when I found out that Set 1 only contains 6 episodes. Effectively, the price for Set 1, is the same as an entire season of many other great shows. I think that this is a real rip off! I'm certainly not going to buy more Saint DVDs until the producer brings down the price to a more reasonable range.
February 14, 2007Roger Moore IS the Saint first and foremost his appearances both before and after only bracket this role. There had been others who played the roles before Moore and after but they are only imitators for those of us who grew up watching this series. Each week we watched waiting for the magical moment when the halo and the lilting theme appeared. With that much nostalgia involved I was a little concerned that this set could not possibly live up to my memories. I was wrong, they are just as good as I remembered. Yes the special effects are not up to today's standards, the 'exotic' locations I remembered as a child are now very obviously stock footage tacked onto scenes shot elsewhere but that doesn't even matter. Once Moore takes the stage he is the Saint, we are in those locations and delighting as he makes fools of the police, foils the villians and saves the day, all withough mussing his perfectly coifed hair.
This set includes the first six color episodes of the series. The episodes are: The Queen's Ransom - set in Monte Carlo; Interlude In Venice - set in Venice (featuring Lois Maxwell - Moneypenny in the Bond films); The Russian Prisoner - set in Geneva; The Reluctant Revolution - set in San Paul, Brazil; The Helpful Pirate - set in Hamburg and the Convenient Monster - set in Scotland.
In spite of the shortcomings mentioned above the shows are enjoyable to those who do not have fond memories of the original airings. What was lacking in special effects what made up for in writing and acting. The stories all have an O'Henry like twist, just when you think it's over or you have solved the problem something else pops up and changes everything. In addition many actors who appeared here went on to other larger roles, so there is the bonus of seeing them 'when'.
I think that anyone who remembers enjoying these shows when they ran on broadcast TV will enjoy they again those who are much younger, ie under 25, may not get so much out of it.
One additional note - these hour long episodes are just over 50 minutes long, not today's 42! January 20, 2004
Roger Moore is a stud, debonair and chivalrous. Knowing that these are over 30 years adds to the fun. Interesting mysterys that take you around the world still work.
June 19, 2003 |  | Roger Moore before he became Bond |  |
I have been a fan of Roger Moores since I was in grade school and saw him in the tv series "Ivonhoe" followed by "The Alaskans" and then "Maverick" when he replaced James Garner and finally "The SAINT" I all fairness to those who came before and after Moore, RM was the best saint...just as he was the best Bond. Moore portrayed a coolness along with the comic cockiness of the character-Simon Templar. The theme song was also outstanding. Although these are in color and very good, a lot of the story and adventure is missing from the original b&w series. Every episode, Templar is in a different part of the world, beating up and outwitting the bad guys while rescuing the damsel in distress. Roger Moore is outstanding in this role. He was one of Ian Flemings original choices for the role of Bond along with Richard Burton, John Wayne,David Niven, Sean Connery and Steve Reeves. Moores contract with the British producers of "The Saint" may have been the reason he didn't start the series off. In any event, "The Saint" is a great series. The dvd quality is good and I a looking forward to seeing the origial b&w episodes come out. They were the best.And Roger Moore, if you read this, why not come back one final time as the dashing, debonir, cool and witty Simon Templar. If James Garner can still do Rockford Files episodes (and a fine job), you can still play the Saint. Nobody does it better.
August 12, 2002| | | Even Moore Saintly Than 007 | |
As much as Roger Moore was a fantastic James Bond, he was an even better Saint. In fact, he was the best. Moore took the pulp hero, created by Leslie Charteris, to new heights in the 1960's and this DVD collection is a perfect collection for both longtime fans and newcomers.
Roger Moore's portrayl of "Simon Templar" was suave, debonair, and comedic at times (much like The Saint was in the books). In fact, his sarcastic humour with Inspector Teal and other policeman is spot on with the novels. He loved to walk a tightrope between law and crime, but always had an alibi. Moore captures his buccaneering attitude deliciously. Upon watching these episodes, you can see how much of The Saint he put into his Bond role. While he may never have been as violent or ruthless as he was in the books, you really get a sense of the Saint's carefree, adventurous nature.
Finally available in America and in series order (based on when the episodes appeared on American television that is). These collections contain the episodes filmed in color, and they look fantastic. As the series continues to see new releases, perhaps they will include the earlier black and white episodes as well.
Edwin Astley's loungey score has never sounded clearer. As part of the bonus material, you get the original U.S. trailers for each episode and a nice photo gallery. "The History of The Saint" section, is just some text, and hardly a bonus. You'd be better off picking up the Saint film collection (Turner Classic Movies) with a nice 30 minute Saint history documentary if you really want to learn about the famous "Simon Templar." Better yet, go to (website) and learn everything there is to know.
This collection is a must have for any Moore fan. Keep buying them up so that they will release more in America. January 3, 2002
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Daily Birthdays
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