Let me introduce...Simon Templar
by Gord Lacey (All reviews) |
5/26/2002 |
Simon Templar made his first appearance in a book, not on TV as I had originally thought. In 1928 Leslie Charteris released his novel, "The Saint Meets The Tiger". This character would appear in over 100 novels and stories, 9 movies from RKO, radio dramatizations on the BBC, a movie staring Val Kilmer and, of course, a TV series lasting 118 episodes with Roger Moore as the title character.
I've always liked Roger Moore as James Bond and I've known that Sean Connery was the second choice (behind Moore) to start the series of movies, but it was rather interesting to find out that it was Moore who was the second choice to play The Saint. If Patrick McGoohan hadn't turned down the role it would have changed the feel of this series as well as the entire Bond franchise.
This set features the following episodes:
The Counterfeit Countess
London/Paris - Simon follows the trail of perfect counterfeit bank notes to a deadly criminal ring led by a cruelly enticing Countess.
Simon and Delilah
Rome - When the movie's temperamental diva is kidnapped, Simon must find the criminal in a crew where no one wishes her well.
Island of Chance
British West Indies - A reclusive scientist is obsessed with discovering an immunity serum that will end illness, but how many lives will it take to save the world?
The Gadget Lover
Berlin - simon has to win the confidence of the Russians before unveiling the devious mind manipulating the Cold War to boiling.
A Double in Diamonds
London/Paris - When a duplicate is made of the Gillingham diamonds, the glamorous world of haute couture shows its seamy underbelly in the cutthroat rag trade.
The Power Artists
Paris - As Simon investigates his way out of the elaborate frame, he discovers personal revenge is merely the tip of a nefarious scheme...
When Spring is Sprung
London - Simon is enlisted by British Military Intelligence to mastermind the escape of a Russian spy on trial in London.
Video
As with their other "Cult TV" releases, A&E has done a nice job with the video. The colors in the video appear nice and bright and rich with color. The print contains dust and some minor flaws and the odd glitch here and there, but overall it's a nice transfer. The episodes of "The Saint" take place around the world and stock footage is shown for these locations. Unfortunately these are lower quality prints and contain quite a bit of dust and grain. Audio
A mono audio track from the 60s isn't anything to jump up and down about, but it serves it's purpose. The audio is nice and clear and without any major problems. While a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is great for a show like "Thunderbirds", I'm quite happy with a mono track. Extras - How we rate extras
The backs of both DVDs in this set list "Production Stills Gallery" although I couldn't find any production stills on either disc. Also listed on the second disc is "The History of The Saint" which is also absent.
Trailers
There are trailers for each episode in the set which last 1 min each.
Roger Moore Biography
5 still frames with information on Roger Moore.
Roger Moore Filmography
6 still frames with Roger Moore's filmography. Summary
While I prefer the James Bond character over The Saint, this show is fun to watch. My only complaint is A&E has started with the first color season and not released the show in order. Look for Lois Maxell (Moneypenny in the Bond movies) in "Simon and Delilah". |
