Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38653 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-05-17
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 10
• Formats: Box set, Import, PAL
• Original language: Italian
• Number of discs: 10
• Running time: 999 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Long before assuming the mantle of 007, Roger Moore made his name as suave, ultra-sophisticated amateur sleuth Simon Templar in The Saint. First broadcast in 1962--coincidentally the year Dr No appeared in cinemas--the show ran until 1969, by which time Moore was internationally famous and poised to make the move to big-screen Bond. Simon Templar suits Moore's personality well: he plays Leslie Charteris's creation with the merest raised eyebrow reaction to imminent danger and the unflappable demeanour of a man whose first concern is to prevent any creases in his Saville Row suit.

Templar's dialogue is sprinkled with trendy Americanisms and the show is filled with American supporting actors in a blatant attempt to sell it to a transatlantic audience (the attempt failed, which is why Moore took on The Persuaders in 1967). A bevy of exotic women and even more exotic foreign locations establish it as a product of the Jet Set era, even though most of the production is in fact studio-bound aside from a handful of establishing shots. The second episode, "The Latin Touch", is typical: supposedly the action takes place in Rome, but its sense of location is fatally undermined by some distinctly dodgy back projection and the casting of Warren (Alf Garnett) Mitchell as an Italian taxi driver. Sophisticated it once was, but it all seems rather quaint now: the suits, the old school tie, the phallic sports car (a Volvo!), and Templar's smug, patronising attitude all grate on modern sensibilities. This is one for nostalgia lovers, certainly, but it hasn't dated too well.

On the DVD:Although billed as Series 1, this 10-disc box set contains the first 39 black-and-white episodes, dating from 1962-64. There are a handful of extra features on the first four discs, including some text biographies and fact files, plus an interview with series creator Robert S Baker. Picture and mono sound quality are generally poor, reflecting the age of the original material, which doesn't appear to have been remastered. Still, it's adequate for what it is and shouldn't deter fans from acquiring this generous collection of a cult TV classic. --Mark Walker

DVD Description
Contains all the episodes from Series One:

• The Talented Husband
  
• The Latin Touch
  
• The Careful Terrorist
  
• The Covetous Headsman
  
• The Loaded Tourist
  
• The Pearls of Peace
  
• The Arrow of God
  
• The Element of Doubt
  
• The Effete Angler
  
• The Golden Journey
  
• The Man Who Was Lucky
  
• The Charitable Countess
  
• The Fellow Traveller
  
• Starring the Saint
  
• Judith
  
• Teresa
  
• The Elusive Ellshaw
  
• Marcia
  
• The Work of Art
  
• Iris
  
• The King of the Beggars
  
• The Rough Diamonds
  
• The Saint Plays with Fire
  
• The Well-Meaning Mayor
  
• The Sporting Chance
  
• The Bunco Artists
  
• The Benevolent Burglary
  
• The Wonderful War
  
• The Noble Sportsman
  
• The Romantic Matron
  
• Luella
  
• The Lawless Lady
  
• The Good Medicine
  
• The Invisible Millionaire
  
• The High Fence
  
• Sophia
  
• The Gentle Ladies
  
• The Ever-Loving Spouse
  
• The Saint Sees It Through

Special Features

• Original memorabilia
  
• Biographies
  
• Stills galleries

DVD Technical Information:

• Soundtrack: Mono: (English)
  
• Running Time: 1872 mins
  
• Region Code: 2
  
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3

Customer Reviews

Roger Moores finest (31) hour(s)
One word - excellent. The Saint is such a good series and Roger Moore is wonderful as Simon Templar. Extras are minimal on this set, but the sheer amount of viewing contained on the Discs more than makes up for this. Roll on complete series 2!

Series 2 has the series best episodes, but series one is not too far behind.

Do yourself a favour and treat yourself - you won't regret it.

While you're about it - buy The Persuaders! box set as well.

An excellent purchase and well worth watching!
Roger Moore was the most successful and popular James Bond of all time and "The Saint" DVD gives you the chance to watch him in the guise of Simon Templar. With 39 episodes to watch, and yes I know it is very much dated, but well worth viewing if you want to escape temporarily into the past. For those seeking to create a little bit of TV Heaven (as well as get away from substandard television output) by attempting to recapture some of its better moments, this is a must not just for older viewing fans but everyone who wants some quality viewing with good story lines, some suspense and a decent plot. Today we take colour television for granted and some may think that watching programs in black and white is boring. Don't be put off that it's black and white - you soon adjust to it very quickly. In the meantime put the kettle on, grab a cup of tea or coffee and then sit back and enjoy some quality entertainment

Wondeful collection of classic episodes.
This set contains some of the most renembered classic episodes like, "Starring The Saint", and, "The Gentle Ladies", which were hugely entertaining. The best thing about this set is watching Roger Moore's classic portrayal of his most famous screen role which has never been bettered. The next likeky Saint DVD release will be, "The Saint - The Complete Series 2", which will feature the last 32 monochrome episodes which were aired on ITV between 1964, and 1966, before the series went to colour. I recommend the Saint boxset very highly indeed. What are you waiting for?

BUY IT........