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 Simon 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 US is affected forever.

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Plot Keywords:

knights templar | cold fusion | fusion | the saint | thief | 

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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

Details

Official Sites:

Paramount Pictures

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

4 April 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

El Santo

Filming Locations:

Moscow, Russia

Box Office

Budget:

$68,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,278,873, 6 April 1997, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$61,363,304, 31 December 1997

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$108,060,970

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Rysher Entertainment, Mace Neufeld Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In a 1997 interview with Des O'Connor for his ITV show, Hugh Grant says he passed on the role after a meeting with Phillip Noyce, because he didn't like Noyce's approach to the character.

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Goofs

When Ilya Tretiak (Ivan Tretiak's son) holds up the Simon, while he is stealing the microchip in the beginning of the movie, you can see in the front of the gun that the revolver isn't loaded.

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Quotes

Simon Templar: I am Marin Depores. I am from Spain but I am named for a Peruvian Saint, who could cure the sick, or the injured, by the laying of hands.

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Crazy Credits

In Loving Memory Elisabeth Leustig (She was the film's Casting Director who was tragically killed in a car accident on a Moscow street during production.)

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Connections

Referenced in Detta har hänt: Episode #1.6 (1996)

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Soundtracks

You're All I've Got Tonight
by Ric Ocasek
Performed by the Smashing Pumpkins
Courtesy of Virgin Records America Inc.

User Reviews

Very Good! Unfair to compare to original version.

I enjoyed watching this movie from beginning to end. Val Kilmer portrayed his role very well. Elisabeth Shue is very beautiful. She also played her character very well. The acting is superb and the scenes are top notch.

Most negative comments are from people who compared this movie to the original one. I haven't seen the original, but, If I did, I will not make comparisons.

The chemistry between Kilmer and Shue is real and natural. The flow keeps me glued to the screen till the end.

The background music is a good choice and comes in at the right moment. I would definitely recommend this movie to friends and relatives.