Return of the Saint 

This series chronicles the swashbuckling exploits of Simon Templar, a modern day Robin Hood of sorts.

Stars:

Ian Ogilvy, Gayle Hunnicutt, Stratford Johns

Cast

Series cast summary:
Ian Ogilvy	...	Simon Templar 24 episodes, 1978-1979

Storyline

Simon Templar is a modern day Robin Hood of sorts. He steals from rich criminals and keeps the loot for himself (usually in such a way as to put the rich criminals behind bars). He's dashing, suave, charming, and he's always one step ahead of the bulldog-like Inspector Claude Eustace Teal. This series chronicles his swashbuckling exploits.

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Plot Keywords:

manhunt | the saint character | simon templar character | 1970s | criminal | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Crime

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Leslie Charteris had retained a degree of script control and pulled Stephen Kandel's modern-day vampire tale "Prince of Darkness" from being produced. Ian Ogilvy had also expressed doubts about the plot.

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Alternate Versions

The two-part episode "Collision Course" was re-edited into the feature-length film "Saint and the Brave Goose, The."

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Connections

Featured in It'll Be Alright on the Night 2 (1979)

User Reviews

Fair, but not really The Saint

Sorry if this offends some, but I have major problems with this series. Starting with Ian Oglivy as Simon Teplar. Now, his character name may be the same as the character played by Sir Roger Moore in the original series, but he isn't really The Saint. He is vaguely Saint-like, but is far too much a puppet of the organization for which he works.

Instead of suave and cunning, Oglivy's Templar is brash. Rather than a twinkle in his eye, this new "Saint" seems to vacillate between looking slightly embarrassed and looking just bit too smug.

True, I am one of those, "James Bond WAS Sean Connery" and "Simon Templar WAS Roger Moore" types. Perhaps that colors my perspective, but watching some of these episodes in 2008-09 hasn't done anything to change my opinion of the show back in 1978-79 when I first saw it. I have also gone back to watch several of the Roger Moore series recently. They hold up. Rather nicely, too.

The plots are paper thin and the supporting acting is sometimes painful. I would give examples, but they would end up being spoilers.

For completists out there, go for the DVD. For Ian Ogilvy fans, go for it. But, if you have warm, fuzzy memories of the original The Saint shows, don't say that one crabby old fart didn't warn you.

Details

Official Sites:

distributor's official site for individuals Distributor's official site for professionals

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 December 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Son of the Saint

Filming Locations:

EMI Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min (24 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1