Il ritorno di Simon Templar

Sorry if this offends some, but I have major problems with this series. Starting with Ian Oglivy as Simon Teplar. Now, his character name may be the same as the character played by Sir Roger Moore in the original series, but he isn't really The Saint. He is vaguely Saint-like, but is far too much a puppet of the organization for which he works.

Instead of suave and cunning, Oglivy's Templar is brash. Rather than a twinkle in his eye, this new "Saint" seems to vacillate between looking slightly embarrassed and looking just bit too smug.

True, I am one of those, "James Bond WAS Sean Connery" and "Simon Templar WAS Roger Moore" types. Perhaps that colors my perspective, but watching some of these episodes in 2008-09 hasn't done anything to change my opinion of the show back in 1978-79 when I first saw it. I have also gone back to watch several of the Roger Moore series recently. They hold up. Rather nicely, too.

The plots are paper thin and the supporting acting is sometimes painful. I would give examples, but they would end up being spoilers.

For completists out there, go for the DVD. For Ian Ogilvy fans, go for it. But, if you have warm, fuzzy memories of the original The Saint shows, don't say that one crabby old fart didn't warn you.

Thank god for Forces TV digging up all these great old programmes. I'm sure not a single one of the teenagers who make up the services ever watch them but marvellous for the rest of us. You really can't help but watch this series and not think of the excellent Top Gear/Harry Enfield pastiches (The Playboys and The Interceptors). Doubtless inspired by the success of The New Avengers they decided to give Simon Templar one last go in contrast to the far grittier Starsky and Hutch, The Professionals and Sweeney who were dominating the screen at the time. Instead we have an upper class hero who battles the villains internationally for adventure's sake and doesn't have to answer to anyone. Its' main strength is its' star, Ian Olgivy doing a top notch Cary Grant impersonation and he is just perfect in the role, dashing and charming with just that hint of steel lying underneath (in several episodes it is implied that Templar was a mercenary who were all the rage in fiction at the time, very different from the books). Also some catchy theme music and of course the white Jag, he was probably the only man in history who genuinely pulled off a personalized number plate. The plots were okay and it's very interesting to see so many familiar faces who would go on to fame in times to come. Really the last time ST was brought successfully to the screen although I do like 2017 movie if only for Roger Moore and Eliza Dushku.

The Return of the Saint was a hit show in Nigeria. Who can forget the pre title sequence which ends with a halo appearing above the head of Simon Templar well played by Ian Oglivy? The halo is accompanied by the Saint jingle which then metamorphoses into one of the best credit sequences I have seen on TV. We see the Saint symbolized by the stick man as he is driving, being chased by a man, knocking the man out, jumping from a bridge into a car, kissing a girl on the beach as she suggestively throws away his halo. Awesome. The electronic music that accompanied the sequence made it outstanding.

Comparisms between Ian Oglivy and his predecessor Roger Moore are inevitable with the views leaning favourably to Roger Moore. Roger Moore was outstanding as Templar but Oglivy was also a worthy successor even though both interpreted the role differently.

Roger Moore played the role with is usual tongue in cheek which he would bring over to his role as James Bond. Oglivy was more intense and grim in his role, a hard thing to do with his pretty boy looks.But both men clinched it differently.

Sadly, the same cannot be said for Val Kilmer in the 1997 movie which was a disaster. I remembered the expectations that I had for the movie. I early went into a Pavlovian twitch waiting for the stick man symbol, the theme song, the jingle, the halo. There was nothing in the movie to appeal to the nostalgia of the fans who grew up watching the Saint on TV. No wonder the movie bombed!

I can't understand why this series is so hard to find(it does not appear to be available on video or DVD at this time). Ian Ogilvy is very good as the Saint. His 70s hairstyle is a bit dated(on viewing it today) but other than that he is suave and sophisticated.And who can forget his white Jaguar XJS!

I remember seeing this series when it was first broadcast on CBC(Canadian Broadcasting Corp.) in 1978-79 and enjoying it tremendously. One episode that comes to mind is The Armageddon Alternative which has a madman threatening to blow up London using a nuclear bomb! The story was tense and the manhunt very realistic. The great thing about this series is the fact that they shot it all over Europe. Several very good actors appeared in the series including Britt Eckland, Ian Hendry, Linda Thorson and Catherine Schell

Fans of the Saint should check it out if it ever comes back(Mystery network in Canada showed it last year but they seem to have stopped).

I watched this series when it played in the U.S. on The Friday Late Night Movie on CBS in 1978 and enjoyed it so much. I just recently purchased the 25th Anniversity Special Edition DVD set (all region) and its still great. Ian Ogilvy is simply dashing in the lead and the locations(England, France and Italy) are so beautiful. What a pity the series only lasted a year but if you own the DVD set, you will not only enjoy the episodes again but also interviews with Ian Ogilvy and executive producer John S. Baker reminisce about their favorite episodes with other behind the scenes information and stories about that fabulous white XJS. Its a must for any Saint or Ian Ogilvy fan!