The Saint
Reviews
Per Gunnar Jonsson
This is not really a “The Saint” movie as far as I am concerned. It has very little resemblance to the Simon Templar that we got to know in the TV-series starring Roger Moore in the lead role. I have not read the books so I do not know how well the movie actually relates to the books but I have to say that I was a little disappointed to see a Simon Templar that was not really…him. I have never really been a huge fan of Val Kilmer and I do not really think he is the best match for the role. But then, as I wrote, I really do not see this as a Simon Templar movie anyway so. Elisabeth Shue is totally unbelievable as a scientist. I know they had to pick someone reasonably good-looking to satisfy the script but still, she just doesn’t cut it as a scientist. The Russians are giving a much better performance. I quite liked both the Tretiak characters. That is not to say that this is a bad movie though. You just have to forget about the references to The Saint and Simon Templar. The latter is not very difficult since he really do not call himself Simon Templar in most of the movie anyway. What this movie is though is a fairly decent light entertainment about a skilled high stakes thief with a troubled childhood. I say light entertainment because the plot is really not much more than you would expect from a TV-series pilot. There are some fun action, some fun infiltration, disguises, a bit of high-tech etc. Just a mixture of some “fun stuff” making you go “okay that was not too bad” at the end of the movie. Oh, one more thing, I know that Simon Templar used to drive a Volvo P1800 but quite frankly, that was the only cool car that Volvo have ever made. Since the movie was so far from what I consider to be Simon Templar it is a real bummer that they had to choose that modern Volvo crap for him to drive.
Kamurai
Good watch, would watch again, and can't confidently recommend. This movie is definitely dated. Val Kilmer was still riding on "I was Batman" and a bunch of Hollywood actors had decided to have a go at being the next action (/spy) guy, and I think it was to try to knock Tom Cruise out of his position (like that worked). This international spy of mysterious origin, even with an entire backstory as a prelude in the beginning of the movie, just so happens to be targeting "cold fusion", so we get a sci-fi edge. The person that happens to make the most plausible progress on cold fusion just happens to be a "stunningly beautiful woman", Elisabeth Shue, with a heart condition to top everything off. The actual movie experience was good, I promise, but thinking back on things, it all sounds so ridiculous. There is a lot of underlying romantic comedy at play here, and if I'm honest, I don't think they movie knew what it wanted to be: mob movie, sci-fi discovery, rom com, action / spy, political intrigue, catholic revolution, or orphan identity. Most of the fun stuff is spy versus Russian mob or cute rom com stuff, but you could probably get a better experience for either in different movies. It's a good time, but given all the options out there, you're probably better off looking for a more modern spy movie.
JPV852
By no means a great movie but for some reason have been drawn to this one, seeing it 3-4 times over the years. For the most part entertaining though the dialogue was pretty bad, however I like Val Kilmer in the lead and shares some nice scenes with the lovely Elisabeth Shue. **3.5/5**
depost83
Absolutely love this movie. I find it charming, alluring and I seem drawn to it when the weather gets cooler, which probably has something to do with much of the film's setting in Moscow. Kilmer's role almost feels like that of a super hero, with a childhood trauma that still haunts him. The beautiful and vulnerable Elizabeth Shue complements the confident Kilmer. The villains are fun to despise, and the action scenes feel more fun because everyone is freezing their butts off while the viewer is comfortable on their recliner. It makes me nostalgic for this near-millennium period of filmmaking, which for whatever reason also brings to mind films like Sabrina (call me crazy).
Filipe Manuel Neto
**One of the worst espionage films of all time, in my opinion.** Anyone who saw the original series, from the 60s, with Sir Roger Moore in the lead role (he later took on the character of another charming secret agent, James Bond, who made him world-famous), will never forget it. It was arguably one of the best-made European series of that time, and was a huge success. I've never seen it all, although I'd like to, especially because I'm not that old. I saw some episodes released on TV channels dedicated to old programming, and I recognize that there is no way to compare the original product with this film, which is much inferior. Technically, the film seeks to make everything that was most advanced available to the production, but it still doesn't give us a great visual spectacle. Any film in the 007 franchise from the Pierce Brosnan era (roughly the same time) can be much better, more visually stunning and better executed. From the sets to the editing, to the cinematography, costumes and special effects, the film never manages to be as incredible as it would need to be to enchant us. This does not mean that it is poorly executed or makes very glaring errors in this area! It's simply more of the same. Val Kilmer is not a bad actor, but he is one of those actors who need to be very well directed to get where you want him to go. I've seen him in other films where he's simply impeccable, so I can't blame him entirely for being such a slob in this film. Personally, I think that the material he was given to work with was already bad and that the director, Phillip Noyce, was not able to help the actor as he needed. However, it is fair to mention that Kilmer was, even so, the most competent actor present in this film! Elizabeth Shue has nothing more to do than be the damsel in distress of the day and the hero's more than obvious romantic interest (the old misogynistic cliché of the woman as a reward trophy at the end of the feat), if only because that spend the entire film showing how needy she feels! It's degrading and sad! The actress is terrible and doesn't go beyond a mediocre effort. Even worse are the two villains, Rade Serbedzija and Valeriy Nikolaev. The first still shows some qualities as an actor and tries to do something convincing, but he is stuck with the oldest clichés about corrupt Russian oligarchs, and the second is just the brutal sidekick with narcissistic and sociopathic tics. The film might not have sunk completely if it had at least had a script worthy of the name. Unfortunately, Noyce consented to direct one of the worst spy movie scripts I've ever seen. It starts by taking one of the most fanciful and idiotic myths in nuclear physics, which is cold fusion, something that any school teacher in the area will be able to explain very easily is impractical. Then, it invents an energy crisis in Russia! In one of the world's largest producers of oil and natural gas! It's something so absurd that you can't believe it, even considering that this crisis could be caused by a group of people with an interest in destabilizing the country. Wasn't there really a more seductive or appealing plot that could have been used?
Movie Recommendation
Clouds of May1999-12-10An aspiring filmmaker visits his parents and begins to devise a movie. Amidst creating and casting for the film, he encounters with family & friends who struggle with their own problems, dreams and life.More...
The Holcroft Covenant1985-09-20A man who was a confidant of Adolf Hitler dies and leaves a fortune to make amends for his Nazi past—but his son has to search the world to find it.More...
Kull the Conqueror1997-08-29A barbarian named Kull becomes ruler after defeating the old king in battle. In an effort to regain the throne, the former king's heirs resurrect Akivasha, a witch queen. However, Akivasha has plans of her own for the throne, and only Kull stands in the way.More...
He-Man and She-Ra: A Christmas Special1985-12-25In this special Christmas episode of the He-Man and She-Ra cartoons, their sidekick Orko accidentally gets beamed to Earth during a test of a new spy satellite. Orko manages to get back Planet Eternia, but brings along two Earth children, Alisha and Manuel, with him. Since it's Christmastime on Earth, the kids are naturally filled with the holiday spirit, but this overflowing goodwill attracts the unwelcome attention of the Horde Prime and Skeletor. Will the combined power of He-Man, She-Ra and the spirit of Christmas be enough to stop them?More...
Walter2015-03-13A ticket-taker at the local cinema believes he is the son of God. He has agreed to decide the eternal fate of everyone he comes in to contact with.More...
Cousin Bette1998-06-12In 19th century Paris, Bette Fischer, a poor and homely spinster, forms an alliance with the seductive courtesan Valerie Marneffe to orchestrate revenge on her handsome and wealthy relatives.More...
V.I. Warshawski1991-07-26Victoria "V.I" Warshawski is a Chicago based private detective who agrees to babysit for her new boyfriend; then he is murdered. Being the detective type, she makes the murder her next case. In doing so she befriends the victim's daughter, Kat, and together they set out to crack the case.More...
One Hundred Days in Palermo1984-04-06In the late 1970s and early 80s, assassinations in Sicily get the attention of Communist deputy, Pio La Torre, who appeals to General Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa to become prefect in Palermo and take on the Mafia. Dalla Chiesa approaches the job with the same focus and methods he used in hunting down the Red Brigade.More...
Yellow Is Not Just the Color of the Sun1979-06-24Ten-year-old Brigitte spends holiday with her father Peter on the Baltic Sea and everything is perfect until they meet strange and beautiful woman on the beach.More...
Mickey's Big Break2000-09-30Mickey's Big Break is a Mickey Mouse short, that originally aired on Mickey Mouse Works. It was later included in the House of Mouse episode "Thanks to Minnie". When Donald and Mickey break a picture of Minnie and Daisy by playing football in the house, they go to extreme lengths to try to replace it.More...
Her Alibi1989-02-03A writer of BAD detective novels is in full writers' block. He pretends to be the alibi of a beautiful woman who was arrested for murder at first thinking her innocent, but as she shows more and more interesting abilities (such as knife throwing) he begins to doubt his first assessment.More...
The Standoff at Sparrow Creek2019-01-18After a mass shooting at a police funeral, reclusive ex-cop Gannon finds himself unwittingly forced out of retirement when he realizes that the killer belongs to the same militia he joined after quitting the force.More...
Jack Frusciante è uscito dal gruppo1996-04-02Alex, a high-school boy fond of rock and punk music, falls in love with Adelaide, who shares his feelings but doesn't want to get too involved because she will soon leave for studying in America. Alex gets relief in music and his friend Martino who leads what looks to him as a more complete life.More...
Michael1996-12-25Tabloid reporters are sent by their editor to investigate after the paper recieves a letter from a woman claiming an angel is living with her.More...
Hellboy Animated: Blood and Iron2007-03-10When Hellboy, Liz Sherman, and Abe Sapien are assigned to investigate the ghost-infested mansion of a publicity-hound billionaire, they uncover a plot to resurrect a beautiful yet monstrous vampire from Professor Bruttenholm’s past. But before they can stop her bloodbath, Hellboy will have to battle harpies, hellhounds, a giant werewolf, and even the ferocious goddess Hecate herself.More...
Desperation2006-05-23When a sheriff arrests a writer, a family, a couple, and a hitchiker and throws them in a jail cell in the deserted town of Desperation, they must fight for their lives.More...
Hyde Park on Hudson2012-12-07The story of the love affair between FDR and his distant cousin Margaret Stuckley, centered around the weekend in 1939 when the King and Queen of the United Kingdom visited upstate New York.More...
For Richer or Poorer1997-12-11Brad Sexton and his wife, Caroline, are wealthy New Yorkers with both marital and financial problems. The latter issue becomes a pressing matter when they discover that their accountant has embezzled millions and pinned the blame on them. Forced to go on the lam, Brad and Caroline end up in an Amish area of Pennsylvania and decide to pose as members of the religious group to evade the IRS. As the two adapt to the simple Amish lifestyle, they begin to reconnect.More...
The Scarlet Letter1995-10-13Set in puritanical Boston in the mid 1600s, the story of seamstress Hester Prynne, who is outcast after she becomes pregnant by a respected reverend. She refuses to divulge the name of the father, is "convicted" of adultery and forced to wear a scarlet "A" until an Indian attack unites the Puritans and leads to a reevaluation of their laws and morals.More...
Robinson Crusoe1997-06-11Robinson Crusoe flees Britain on a ship after killing his friend over the love of Mary. A fierce ocean storm wrecks his ship and leaves him stranded by himself on an uncharted island. Left to fend for himself, Crusoe seeks out a tentative survival on the island, until he meets Friday, a tribesman whom he saves from being sacrificed. Initially, Crusoe is thrilled to finally have a friend, but he has to defend himself against the tribe who uses the island to sacrifice tribesman to their gods. During time their relationship changes from master-slave to a mutual respected friendship despite their difference in culture and religion.More...
Similar Movies
When We Met
2024-06-06In the summer of 2012 in a small town in the south of China, divorced shopkeeper Peng Yun makes the acquaintance of Ji Qing Qing who sells meat skewers from her rickshaw.Crazy Rich Asians
2018-08-15An American-born Chinese economics professor accompanies her boyfriend to Singapore for his best friend's wedding, only to get thrust into the lives of Asia's rich and famous.How I Became a Superh...
2020-11-19Paris 2020. While superheroes have assimilated into the Parisian society, they discover a new drug that gives themselves personal superpowers to mere mortals. Lieutenants Moreau and Schaltzmann are investigating the case with the support of two ex-superheroes, Monte Carlo and Callista. They'll do whatever it takes to dismantle the traffic. But Moreau's past resurfaces, and the investigation becomes more complicated.I Fall in Love With Y...
No data for this movieSet in the year 2060, it follows a love story as Tokyo's third Olympics draws near. Takeru Oosawa, who works for the AI Robot Technology Research Lab, is chosen as a member of the national secret project using humanoid robots. With the help of childhood friend and co-worker Youichirou Amano and his sister Saki, Takeru tries his best to reach his objectives. However, the situation changes when Saki's office receives a warning note for terrorism.Fury in Marrakesh
1966-04-21A contemporary gang of international thieves has found the multi-billion counterfeit money stash that the Nazis produced. They need to dump it all across the world at once. A lower-level dame is spotted distributing some of it, and this sets American agent Bob Dixon (Stephen Forsyth) onto the trail.London Has Fallen
2016-03-02In London for the Prime Minister's funeral, Mike Banning discovers a plot to assassinate all the attending world leaders.A Trip to the Moon
1902-06-15Professor Barbenfouillis and five of his colleagues from the Academy of Astronomy travel to the Moon aboard a rocket propelled by a giant cannon. Once on the lunar surface, the bold explorers face the many perils hidden in the caves of the mysterious planet.Cruel Intentions
1999-03-05Slaking a thirst for dangerous games, Kathryn challenges her stepbrother, Sebastian, to deflower their headmaster's daughter before the summer ends. If he succeeds, the prize is the chance to bed Kathryn. But if he loses, Kathryn will claim his most prized possession.Rosemary's Baby
1968-06-12A young couple, Rosemary and Guy, moves into an infamous New York apartment building, known by frightening legends and mysterious events, with the purpose of starting a family.Shrek
2001-05-18It ain't easy bein' green -- especially if you're a likable (albeit smelly) ogre named Shrek. On a mission to retrieve a gorgeous princess from the clutches of a fire-breathing dragon, Shrek teams up with an unlikely compatriot -- a wisecracking donkey.Austin Powers: Intern...
1997-05-02As a swinging fashion photographer by day and a groovy British superagent by night, Austin Powers is the '60s' most shagadelic spy. But can he stop megalomaniac Dr. Evil after the bald villain freezes himself and unthaws in the '90s? With the help of sexy sidekick Vanessa Kensington, he just might.Austin Powers: The Sp...
1999-06-08When diabolical genius Dr. Evil travels back in time to steal superspy Austin Powers's ‘mojo,’ Austin must return to the swingin' '60s himself - with the help of American agent, Felicity Shagwell - to stop the dastardly plan. Once there, Austin faces off against Dr. Evil's army of minions to try to save the world in his own unbelievably groovy way.Austin Powers in Gold...
2002-07-26The world's most shagadelic spy continues his fight against Dr. Evil. This time, the diabolical doctor and his clone, Mini-Me, team up with a new foe—'70s kingpin Goldmember. While pursuing the team of villains to stop them from world domination, Austin gets help from his dad and an old girlfriend.JFK
1991-12-20Follows the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy led by New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison.This Island Earth
1955-06-01Aliens have landed and are hiding on Earth, but need Earth’s scientists to help them fight an inter-planetary war.M
1931-05-11In this classic German thriller, Hans Beckert, a serial killer who preys on children, becomes the focus of a massive Berlin police manhunt. Beckert's heinous crimes are so repellant and disruptive to city life that he is even targeted by others in the seedy underworld network. With both cops and criminals in pursuit, the murderer soon realizes that people are on his trail, sending him into a tense, panicked attempt to escape justice.Dune
1984-12-14In the year 10,191, the most precious substance in the universe is the spice Melange. The spice extends life. The spice expands consciousness. The spice is vital to space travel. The spice exists on only one planet in the entire universe, the vast desert planet Arrakis, also known as Dune. Its native inhabitants, the Fremen, have long held a prophecy that a man would come, a messiah who would lead them to true freedom.2046
2004-10-20Women enter and exit a science fiction author's life over the course of a few years after the author loses the woman he considers his one true love.Strangers on a Train
1951-06-27A charming psychopath tries to coerce a tennis star into his theory that two strangers can commit the perfect crime by exchanging murders—each killing the other’s most-hated person.Krull
1983-07-29A prince and a fellowship of companions set out to rescue his bride from a fortress of alien invaders who have arrived on their home planet.