Watch The Saint
- TV-PG
- 1962
- 6 Seasons
-
7.5 (6,365)
The Saint is a British detective drama television show that aired on ITV from 1962 to 1969. The show starred Roger Moore as Simon Templar, a suave and dashing private detective with a penchant for mischief and adventure. Ivor Dean played Inspector Claude Eustace Teal, a police officer who often finds himself at odds with Templar.
Each episode of The Saint featured Templar getting into sticky situations while investigating a variety of crimes ranging from theft to murder. What set the show apart from other detective shows at the time was Templar's unique approach to solving cases. He was not afraid to step outside the law and often used his charm and intellect to manipulate those around him in order to get the information he needed.
One of the most enduring aspects of The Saint is Roger Moore's portrayal of Simon Templar. Moore's natural charisma and good looks made him the perfect fit for the role. He embodied the character's suave and rakish personality, making him a fan favorite from the start. Over the course of the series, Moore's performance only improved, as he became more comfortable in the role and the writers began to tailor the scripts to his strengths.
The other key character in The Saint is Inspector Teal, played by Ivor Dean. Teal is the de facto antagonist to Templar, always trying to catch him in the act of committing a crime. Despite this, the two characters share a mutual respect and often work together to solve cases. Dean's portrayal of Teal is understated and effective, providing a nice counterbalance to Moore's more flamboyant performance.
In addition to the lead performances, The Saint is notable for its style and sense of adventure. The show features an iconic theme tune, composed by Edwin Astley, that perfectly captures the sense of excitement and danger that permeates the series. The show also made great use of location shooting, often taking Templar to glamorous and exotic locations such as Paris, Venice, and The Bahamas.
Despite its popularity, The Saint was not without its detractors. Some critics felt that the show's formulaic structure and lack of depth made it too lightweight for serious consideration. Others felt that it was too derivative of other popular detective shows of the time, such as The Avengers and Danger Man. Despite these criticisms, The Saint remains a beloved relic of 1960s British television, a charming and stylish adventure series that perfectly captures the spirit of its era.
Overall, The Saint is a classic example of 1960s British television at its best. With its dashing hero, exotic locations, and sense of adventure, the show remains as fresh and entertaining today as it was over 50 years ago. Whether you're a fan of classic television, detective shows, or Roger Moore himself, The Saint is definitely worth checking out.
The Saint is a series that ran for 6 seasons (161 episodes) between October 4, 1962 and on ITV