Return of the Saint: The Complete Series (R2 United Kingdom - Network)
The Show:
After the very successful television show, The Saint starring Roger Moore comes Return Of The Saint, a show produced nine years after the original’s eight year stint. Starring Ian Ogilvy as the suave and sophisticated Simon Templar, Return Of The Saint follows a rather formulaic scenario for each episode. A crime has happened, and Simon Templar is there to put the criminal away whilst at the same time, taking all the proceeds from the crime, usually with a beautiful woman (or even women) in tow. In this updated series however, Templar goes international with a lot of scenes being shot on location across Europe rather than Elstrees backlot like the previous series, something which would possibly help put this show above the many similar ones hitting the scene based on high ratings and the continuing success of films like the James Bond franchise. Whilst some similar shows aren’t as memorable as, say, The Sweeney, or America’s Starsky and Hutch, there are plenty of things that stick out for Return Of The Saint. First, is the instantly loveable theme tune and title sequence which always starts when Templar gives his name at the beginning of each episode (usually after saving a damsel in distress). Then you have the witty dialogue, which Ogilvy delivers with excellence, sometimes even with comic timing. Last but not least, you have the (usually) believable story lines, focusing on major crimes such as murder and drug dealing, to the unbelievable like entering a fully manned foreign army camp to rescue an intelligence agent who has in fact defected. This is a show that no-one other than the British could make, because no other nation could pull off such cheesy and camp lines and make them fun. Definately highly recommended.
It should also be noted that with this release, part of the proceeds of this release (equating to about £1.70 per unit) will go directly to support the Heaven’s Angels campaign, a major initiative addressing the issue of healthcare delivery in sub–Saharan Africa. Backed by Richard Branson’s charity foundation Virgin Unite, the Heaven’s Angels campaign is raising funds to provide a force of trained health workers on motorbikes to transport vital medicine to remote rural communities. Currently, it is estimated that over 10,000 people die from treatable and preventable diseases such as HIV/Aids, TB and Malaria in this region. Costing five thousand pounds for the first year of operation each bike can reach over ten thousand people. Network and a range of affiliated companies are aiming to fund the recruitment of local health workers and the purchase of the new motor bikes which deliver the medicines – with the goal of providing at least one hundred bikes – a practical solution to the above diseases.
Here is a brief episode guide (4 episodes on each of discs 1-6):
The Judas Game - Simon Templar goes undercover into an enemy camp in the Alps to save an old flame who he believes is being held against her will Little does Templar know, she may have actually defected to the enemy.
The Nightmare Man - An Italian women has a vision of her Husbands death causing Simon Templar to come to her aid.
Duel In Venice - A good friend of Simon Templers’ daughter is kidnapped, but little does he realise the kidnappers have abducted her to lure him into a trap!
One Black September - Simon Templar joins forces with an Israeli secret agent so that he can try and track down an arab terrorist that is in hiding in London.
The Village That Sold It’s Soul - Simon Templar investigates a murder which leads him to a small village in Italy that is being run by a psychotic aristocrat.
Assault Force - Simon must use his wits to outsmart the police from an Asian country after he saves a young girls life.
Yesterday’s Hero - Simon Templar spots a man who is believed to be dead and becomes embroiled in a British Intelligence operation.
The Poppy Chain - After a girl dies from a using ‘bad’ grade heroin, her grandfather helps Simon Templar infiltrate a foreign drug ring.
The Arrangement - Simon Templar is hired as a hitman when two women decide they want their husbands dead.
The Armageddon Alternative - A vengeful man threatens to blow up the English capital unless a sculptress is publicly executed.
The Imprudent Professor - After a couple of beautiful women try to get Templar to convince a scientist to defect, he takes it upon himself to stop the scientist from selling out his country
Signal Stop - A mental patient needs to find someone to believe him after he witnesses a murder through the window whilst a passenger of a train.
The Roman Touch - Simon must help out a professional singer whose producer is driving her to hard.
Tower Bridge Is Falling Down - Simon is asked for help by a woman who believes her husbad was murdered by his business partner and so-called friend.
The Debt Collectors - In this episode Templar helps a woman who is trying to save her brother from a gang of drug traffickers.
Collision Course: The Brave Goose - Templar finds a stash of gold from a robbery when he investigates the deaths of two wealthy men killed in a powerboat accident.
Collision Course: The Sixth Man - Part two of the above episode.
Hot Run - Simon’s ski instructor asks him for his help in investigating the murder of her brother in the Alps.
Murder Cartel - A despised oil sheik is saved by Templa as he investigates an assassination company.
The Obono Affair - Simon is reluctant to help a tyrannical African president whose son has been kidnapped whilst visiting in London.
Vicious Circle - When a retired race car driver is killed in a dramatic car accident, Simon Templar suspects foul play.
Dragonseed - When a millionaire’s son is killed in a tragic helicopter accident, Simon Templar sets out to prove it was murder.
Appointment In Florence - One of Simon’s friends is killed by terrorists in Florence so he vows to avenge his death and bring the organisation down.
The Diplomat’s Daughter - Simon helps rescue a diplomats daughter who has been kidnapped by a drug smuggling gang.
The DVD:
Video:
Network have provided all 24 episodes in the original aspect ratio of 4:3. Unfortunately it appears that little has been done to preserve or restore the picture with evident signs of grain and print damage. Colours sometimes appear a little washed out, yet at other times a little dark. Don’t get me wrong, the picture isn’t terrible, but plenty could’ve been done to make it look better than what I imagine it looked when it was originally broadcast. No subtitles have been included.
Audio:
Network have provided us with the original English Dolby Digital Mono here and there aren’t any huge underlying problems. Dialogue is clear at all times and the music levels are consistent, however, there was slight background hiss and sometimes a kind of high pitched sound that is obviously not intentional. Like the picture quality, the sound is adequate but could be better. How about a surround track for those actin scenes and cool theme tune?
Extras:
Network have provided us with a wealth of extras, with all apart from the commentaries being included on the seventh disc.
We start with the commentaries which are available on four episodes. They are as follows:
- “The Village That Sold Its Soul” with actor Ian Ogilvy, writer John Goldsmith, producer Robert S. Baker and production supervisor Malcolm Christopher
- “The Poppy Chain” with actor Ian Ogilvy, producer Robert S. Baker and production supervisor Malcolm Christopher
- “Collision Course: Brave Goose” with actor Ian Ogilvy and producer Robert S. Baker
- “Murder Cartel” with actor Ian Ogilvy, writer John Goldsmith and production supervisor Malcolm Christopher
All four participants in these commentaries are very knowledgeable and insightful into the series mixing it up between technical and shooting aspects to reminiscing about some of the fun they had. It’s unusual for television commentaries to be interesting once you’ve heard one on one of the episodes but I was hooked for all four here.
Next we have an interesting documentary entitled The Saint Steps In… To The 70s”. A very well put together restrospective looking back at the series, this documentary covers all bases looking at the history of The Saint, the casting decisions, why the new series came about and shooting on location. It also features some very insightful interviews, the best of which being with the star of the show Ian Ogilvy who tells it like it is in an open and honest manner. This runs for 44 minutes and 51 seconds.
Another featurette called The Saint At Elstrees is more to do with the original series rather than this one and is in fact footage from Elstrees day honouring Roger Moore in mid 2006. It also features some comments from Elstrees film historian Paul Walsh, who seems like a nice chap, if a little boring. It runs for 15 minutes 38.
A full length version of the two Collision Course episodes entitled The Goose is the next extra up to the plate. Unfortunately it’s in a very poor condition with a lot of damage, unlike the individual episodes. Presented in the original aspect ratio of 4:3 and with the original 2.0 mono track, it runs for 98 minutes 24 seconds.
The final substantial extra is an episodic image gallery which gives us photos from all 24 episodes in a well presented slideshow accompanied by the theme tune. Very relaxing to sitback and watch this 11 minute 24 second feature.
We end the extras with a bunch of small ‘nice to have, but ultimately not substantial’ stuff:
Title Sequence Storyboard (3:14)
Promotional Gallery (2:16)
Merchandise Gallery (1:59)
ITC Home Video Trailer (0:49)
European Titles with “Taking It Easy” theme by Oliver Onions (1:34)
Unseen Rushes - mute footage (4:22)
Commercal Break Bumpers (0:12)
Textless Material (1:34)
OVERALL:
Show – A
Picture – C+
Sound – C+
Extras – A
Overall – A-
Comparison available here.