The Saint (1997)

Simon Templar (The Saint), is a thief for hire, whose latest job to steal the secret process for cold fusion puts him at odds with a traitor bent on toppling the Russian government, as well as the woman who holds its secret.

Director:

Phillip Noyce

Writers:

Leslie Charteris (character), Jonathan Hensleigh (story)

Stars:

Val Kilmer, Elisabeth Shue, Rade Serbedzija

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Val Kilmer	...	Simon Templar
Elisabeth Shue	...	Dr. Emma Russell
Rade Serbedzija	...	Ivan Tretiak
Valeriy Nikolaev	...	Ilya Tretiak (as Valery Nikolaev)
Henry Goodman	...	Dr. Lev Botvin
Alun Armstrong	...	Inspector Teal
Michael Byrne	...	Vereshagin, Tretiak's Aide
Evgeniy Lazarev	...	President Karpov (as Evgeny Lazarev)
Irina Apeksimova	...	Frankie (as Irina Apeximova)
Lev Prygunov	...	General Sklarov (as Lev Prigunov)
Charlotte Cornwell	...	Inspector Rabineau
Emily Mortimer	...	Woman on Plane
Lucija Serbedzija	...	Russian Prostitute
Velibor Topic	...	Skinhead
Tommy Flanagan	...	Scarface

Storyline

Simon Templar has no real family, no real home, and Simon Templar isn't even his real name. Yet, Simon Templar, also known as the Saint for his use of creating false identities using the names of Catholic saints, is one of the world's most successful thieves. Slick, debonair, and a master of disguise, Simon manages to outwit the police again and again. On his next job, he is hired by the Russian Mafia to steal a cold fusion energy formula from scientist Emma Russel. However, the mission backfires as he falls for the pretty, intelligent scientist. Simon and his new love must now manage to outwit the Russian Mafia and work out the energy formula before the worst happens, and the U.S. is affected forever.

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Plot Keywords:

knights templar | russophobia | propaganda | cranberry | close up of eyes | 

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Taglines:

Never reveal your name. Never turn your back. Never surrender your heart.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for action violence, brief strong language, some sensuality and drug content

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Val Kilmer does his southern voice, for one of his many voices, he sounded just like he did when he portrayed Doc Holliday in Tombstone (1993).

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Goofs

In the middle of the airport lounge Simon orders a cup of coffee, which is then delivered to him only 11 seconds later by the same waitress.

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Quotes

Simon: [disguised as an old man] I'm here to do an interview with that Doctor Russell. I'm gonna expose her as a fraud. You don't put any stock in this cold fusion mumbo jumbo do you?
Emma Russell: Actually, I do.

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Alternate Versions

UK versions are cut by the BBFC with a minor edit to a shot in a nightclub where Tretiak is seen to visibly snort a line of cocaine on a mirror.

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Connections

Referenced in Transformers: Dark of the Moon - 35mm Special (2011)

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Soundtracks

Atom Bomb
Written and Performed by Fluke
Courtesy of Circa Records Ltd.

User Reviews

SAINTLY,A CLEVER MOVIE!

This movie is more of the modern day version of "Robin Hood", only without the bow and arrows. Val Kilmer, plays the role very well. To me in my opinion is no Batman, but he does provide a lot of action in this movie. Simon Templar is more than just a "saint", he's a chameleon in the process.

Elisabeth Shue, is great, I remembered her from "The Karate Kid" and "Leaving Las Vegas", did very well playing Emma, she looked great throughout the movie. I liked the part when that Russian hooker helped Simon and Emma from the Russian Mafia led by Ivan Tretiak. Once his own countrymen found out who he really was, the people turned on him big time. I think this movie was a lot of fun, and I wish Kilmer would put up such an ego. Rating 3 out of 5 stars. 8 out of 10!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

4 April 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Saint

Filming Locations:

Moscow, Russia

Box Office

Budget:

$68,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,278,873, 6 April 1997

Gross USA:

$61,363,304

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$118,063,304

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Rysher Entertainment, Mace Neufeld Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1