Roger Moore returns as Simon Templar, alias "The Saint" in the sixth boxed DVD set of his exploits. Templar, the suave "Robin Hood of Modern Crime" is featured in seven more adventures from the 60's TV series. Here are summaries and/or comments for the episodes in this set. Episode ratings are on a scale from one to five (best).Volume 11: (Disc 1)
The Time To Die - Episode 105: Rating (2)
The Saint, a man with his share of enemies, finds his life threatened by an unidentified source. With the help of a female reporter, Simon attempts to get to the bottom of things. Mediocre writing produces an uneven story that fails to sustain suspense.
The Master Plan - Episode 106: Rating (5)
Cord Thrandel is a nightclub owner, and big time dealer in narcotics. Tony Lane, a courier for Thrandel, wants out of the drug racket, and has dropped out of circulation. Simon Templar, and Lane's sister Jean, while searching for Tony run afoul of Thrandel and his gang. Burt Kwouk guests as an Asian drug king in this tension filled tale that captures the flavor of a traditional Saint adventure.
The House On Dragon's Rock - Episode 107: Rating (2)
Set in Whales, this plays like bad science fiction. Strange happenings in the countryside has the locals spooked. Simon is called by a friend to help, and begins investigating a mad scientist type, at work in an isolated laboratory. This fantasy is hard to swallow, and the production and special effects are rather poor. This story was filmed in a previous season and aired latter, hence it has the old theme music. Also, the writer of the episode is wrongfully credited on the box.
Volume 12: (Disc 2)
The Scales Of Justice - Episode 108: Rating (5)
Five executives at the same company have unexpectedly died within a few months time. The fifth, a friend of the Saint, drops dead while trying to enlist Simon's aid. Determined to find the truth, and bring the guilty to justice the Saint investigates with a vengeance. The tension mounts, as the surviving directors are threatened with a sudden and unexpected death. Guest star Jean Marsh is a step ahead of the Saint, in this realistic and suspenseful tale that features an ingenious murder weapon. Watch for Moore's energetic double in this episode.
The Fiction Makers (Parts 1 and 2) - Episodes 109 and 110: Rating (3)
This two-part adventure, packaged as a full-length feature, has a light comedic tone that fails to produce any real feeling of suspense or danger, until perhaps the very end. This is the "Disney" version of the Saint. Simon Templar is mistaken for a famous author, and is kidnapped by a band of crooks who want his help in carrying out their criminal scheme. There is probably no other Saint story in the entire series that is played strictly for laughs, the way this is. Roger Moore and costar Sylvia Syms, jump thorough a ridiculous set of hoops, and ham it up, in this cartoonish adventure. While entertaining on some level, a story like this tarnishes the image of the character,
The People Importers - Episode 111: Rating (4)
An unscrupulous band is running illegal aliens into England. When things go wrong, one of aliens turns up dead, ruining the Saint's fishing outing. Templar is then on the case searching for the killers, and trying to save the lives of some of the remaining illegal immigrants. A tense adventure, with the Saint matching up against a ruthless gang of criminals.
The Saint Set 6 contains some excellent episodes, and also some poor ones. On balance the positives outweigh the negatives. If you're a collector you will probably want this set, otherwise you may wish to consider The Saint Set 3 or 5 first. As usual, look for Roger Moore's double in most second unit (location) shots.
One note about the episode numbers. Though there are a few different listings for the program, the listing used is one that most closely matches the "broadcast order" sequence that A&E is issuing them in. Episodes were not always released in the order they were produced or filmed. Fans of the Saint, are invited to view my other reviews of the series and a separate review of "The Fiction Makers".
