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 | cold fusion | 

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Taglines:

Who is The Saint

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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

Val Kilmer turned down to return to the Batman franchise after the box-office smash Batman Forever (1995), due to his commitment to this movie.

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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

Ivan Tretiak: Yes?
Dr. Lev Botvin: I have run every test on this cold fusion formula and most conclude that it is not merely incomplete, but rather impossible. You may as well try to create perpetual motion Mr.Tretiak.
Ivan Tretiak: I invest millions, and you can't make it work! What are you doing with my money? Do you think... it comes so easy? No!
Dr. Lev Botvin: But sir, I have been working for nearly two weeks without sleep. At first blush, the theorem appears quite impressive, convincing.
Ivan Tretiak: It does? Yes... It does. Good man, we can use it to destroy ...

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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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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

Featured in Troldspejlet: Episode #17.15 (1997)

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Soundtracks

Pil
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!