The Saint: The Fiction-Makers

source: The Saint: The Fiction-Makers

Moviecut—The Saint: The Fiction-Makers

Adventurer Templar, known for cocking his eye upwards at his animated halo, agrees to do a favour for a publisher friend (Peter Ashmore) to look after best-selling thriller writer Amos Klein - who writes macho Ian Fleming-type books but is actually scatty, cute, short-sighted Sylvia Sims, who is being targeted by criminals who want their expertise to pull off an impossible crime. A wacky, spoof of the James Bond franchise, this a fun two-part series made into a feature film which benefits from its two stars - Roger Moore and Sylvia Sims. Their interactions is what makes this all so enjoyable. The Saint regular Justine Lord is beautiful as ever. It's a nice way to pass the time, even though the wackiness can be tiring at times.

Funny, entertaining, suspenseful, in a smiling way. Thoroughly enjoyable fun. Not as overly ridiculous as some Bond films, fortunately.

A British spy adventure; A story about a a Robin Hood-like figure known as the Saint who is asked to act as a bodyguard to a best-selling adventure author, a young woman who uses a male pen-name. This feature length film dovetailed with the successful british TV series of "The Saint". It showcases the light comedy talents of stars, Roger Moore and Sylvia Sims. Technically, it has a flat TV look with full screen ratio because of its release previously as a two-part TV format. It has an interesting and ingenious plot, and the action, while not particularly suspenseful, is enjoyable and the third act holds up quite well. Despite it's low budget and TV stage feel, the film has good production values and is well produced. The film pays tribute in a small way to a burgeoning new genre of fantasy spy and heist films. As an aside, several scenes and motifs in the film resemble other such films: Goldfinger (1964), Pink Panther (1964) and Entrapment (1999).

Might this be the one where Templar passes, slips through a finely crafted net of invisible deadly beams, maybe of lasers? I have seen it twice ,once in the movie theater, then once again on TV. I've read that the Moore features are TV things as well—yet in my country at least this TEMPLAR got a theater release. It might be that it was the first good glamorous action movie that I've ever seen. I think I never really liked Templar, but he's a competent action star. To me at least, the movie looked nicely timed, suspenseful, enthralling, fast—paced. And certainly more glamorous than any other movie. By then, I knew nothing about 'Bond' and the '60s TV series, so THE SAINT had the privilege of being unique. The plot was to a 9 yrs. old as tempting as it was nearly incomprehensible.

Spoilers abound! This feature version of the two-part tv story is basically a send-up of James Bond. It starts with Simon Templar narrating the cliched action appearing on a movie screen; a very James Bond-ish scene, right down to the actors voice. The film is an adaptation of the novels of Amos Kline; stories of a daring adventure hero. Kline's publisher hires Templar to act as a bodyguard for Kline after his office is broken into and Kline's address is stolen. You see, Amos Kline is a pseudonym and his identity is a closely guarded secret. The Saint finds Kline, who is (surprise!) a woman! Barely recovering from this shock, Templar and Kline are grabbed by a group of thugs. This gang has modeled itself after the criminal organization of Kline's books, S.W.O.R.D. They want Kline, who Templar is impersonating, to devise a plan for them to rob a coal mine turned bank vault. Templar and Kline play their game while planning their escape, only to be caught. Simon is forced to carry out the robbery in earnest. Ultimately, the Saint turns the tables and saves the day. The film is great fun as the whole story is tongue-in-cheek. Roger Moore was far better suited to Simon Templar than James Bond. Sylvia Symms is an energetic Amos Kline and handles the comedy well. The S.W.O.R.D. group is filled with actors recognizable to viewers of British movies and tv of the era; and all do a fine job. This is an entertaining light adventure, and perfect when you are in the mood for a little fun. It was released on video when the Val Kilmer movie was in theaters and is now available, in its original form, on A&E Home Video's Saint collection; definitely worth seeking out. The Saint was tailor-made for Moore.

"The Fiction Makers" was originally aired as a two-part Saint (TV series) adventure in 1968 (episodes #109 and # 110). Later it had theatrical and TV release as a feature film. This time famous Simon Templar (Roger Moore) has to face sinister Warlock (Kenneth J. Warren) , whose crimes are based on ideas taken from the books of a well known writer - Amos Klein (Sylvia Syms). Well, it's a typical Saint adventure which includes: grotesque villain, beautiful women, the chase, the fight and of course the one and only Roger Moore (the last real gent) , who proves that he's the best Simon Templar ever. The film was made in 60s and it can be rather funny than exciting but it doesn't matter. You don't watch this film because of its thrilling plot but because it's different than all those lousy "shoot n' run (and don't think much on your way)" films done these days. "The Fiction Makers" can be found as a very good documentary of what was popular in the 60s and how the films for TV were being made. But the greatest attribute of the film is, as I wrote before, 40-year old, but still looking good, future lord Brett Sinclair and James Bond - Roger Moore, his world famous Saint haircut (wow) and his perfect manners. My grade is 8/10, because the second Saint feature with Moore - "Vendetta For The Saint" (1969) is indeed much more thrilling.

But much better than the one made a year later, "Vendetta for the Saint"(1969). Kenneth J. Warren is funny as Warlock. But the main attraction is Justine Lord as Galaxy Rose.

Loved this film. It was just another title in a full boxed set of the entire Saint series, but from the moment the opening music began, I knew this was something more than just another Saint episode. Obviously made for theatrical release, the excellent production values and especially the lush musical score made this a real treat. Moore and Syms show off their comical side as the plot spoofs it's way through a Goldfinger inspired heist caper. Just the surprise I needed during the Covid lockdown at home!