The Saint (TV Series) Paper Chase (1966) User Reviews

A bit far fetched but.....

[hmoika · 8/10 · 30 November 2020]

In keeping with Season 5, this was a bit far fetched......stretching credulity a bit too far in places ...... but I also thoroughly enjoyed it.

Watching this show on DVD, I'm mourning the inevitable end of the series; it's been a real pleasure.

It's obvious, though, that it's seen it's glory years.

Fairly good Paper chase

[coltras35 · 7/10 · 22 August 2021]

In this fairly exciting espionage caper, Simon is sent to East Germany to bring back a defector who's planning to trade a list of secret agents in return for the life of his father, and ends up getting involved in a cat and mouse chase with the dreaded secret police. It's got a nice plot, good action scenes such as the fight on the train, and an adventurous quality, though the secret police come across as nitwits who couldn't even tie their shoe laces. But this is escapism after all - and the hero overcomes all.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Saint

[lucyrfisher · 8/10 · 27 January 2023]

Benefits from Ronald Hines as the "Brit" who works for the "Government", and Niall McGinnis as the kindly, charming, ruthless, sadistic East German head of the... whatever he's head of. Captures the atmosphere of the East with its drab attempts to sell fashion and design, with robotic models twirling round a depressing trade fair.

There is excellent byplay with the McGuffin and a left-luggage office, and despite farcical elements, conjures the terror of trying to cross a well-defended border.

Back at home, though we don't see it, the Swinging Sixties are withering, to be replaced by something very like the dreariness beyond the Iron Curtain.

Good alternative

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 9 July 2021]

A good episode, heavily plotted and with lots of twists and turns throughout. It starts off with Templar doing something innocuous like stopping a scrap of paper blowing away and ends up with him being pursued by the Stasi in East Germany with a glamorous blonde and a spy in tow. Although the plot seems a little far-fetched at times, this is well-grounded and exciting, a good alternative to Bond.