Return Of The Saint...

[Villain]

I've recently started rewatching this classic ITC series on dvd, it often tends to be overlooked compared to the earlier output but I think it's still worth a look if you're in the mood for a slice of late '70s charm, cheese and car chases. Shot in late 1977 and into '78, only twenty four episodes were made and in places it has a similar look and feel to some episodes of The Persuaders, The New Avengers and early episodes of The Professionals.

Ian Ogilvy is well cast as the 'new' Simon Templar, blasting around Europe in a white Jaguar XJ-S which he manages to throw about nicely in some episodes. The list of guest stars will be very familiar to 4:3 forum members with Britt Ekland, Joss Ackland, Anton Rogers, Frederick Jeager, John Hallam, Stratford Johns, Judy Geeson, Sam Wanamaker, George Cole, Anouska Hempel, Kate O'Mara, Catherine Schell, Jenny Hanley, Laurence Naismith, Ian Hendry, Annette Andre, Bryan Marshall, Maurice Colbourne, Prunella Gee, Linda Thorson, John Woodhouse, Alfie Bass, Brian Glover, Diane Keen, Mary Tamm, Rula Lenska, Tessa Wyatt, Stuart Wilson and James Aubrey all making appearances. The first episode aired in Britain on 10th September 1978 and the last episode on 11th March 1979.

Plot wise, some of the episodes are very similar to the classic Roger Moore era with murder, blackmail, kidnap, bomb threats and the like all taking turns in the weekly instalments with one episode being directed by than none other than Tom Clegg which I was quite surprised by.

The theme tune now sounds very cheesy but was spot on for 1978, and now that I've watched about half the series I've noticed quite a few very familiar incidental cues which had already been used in The Sweeney, one of which I'm pretty sure was used in 'In From The Cold' in 1976. I'm sure Gene will recognise some of the others too  

Definitely a series to be enjoyed with plenty of action and period charm.

Villain 

[D.C. Burtonshaw]

Indeed I agree Villain, I remember seeing a few episodes 1st time round in late '78 and caught a few more I hadn't seen when they were repeated into the early 80's. Ogilvy was quite a good choice for the part (I believe he was considered for Bond at one time, mirroring The Saint with replacing Roger Moore in albeit in a different role). The location filming in France and Italy was interesting but cost a fair bit budget wise in the same way as The Persuaders.

I did particularly like the British filmed episodes with some quite gritty locations sometimes, notably "Signal Stop". Slightly amusing was Brian Glover playing a another Scrapyard owner (Remember the 1st Sweeney film?)! Also in that episode was George Sweeney who was character nearly as nasty as Cookie but for different reasons! Often wondered where some of the locations were too although a few of the London ones can be recognised. On the Umbrella DVD realise I have, the episode commentary for the episode starring George Cole as a mad bomber, states where the outside of Templars house is. As a result whilst in London one day in late 2005, I took a detour to have a look at the location and it was still there as I'm sure it is now. Not too far walk from Sloane Square underground station.

Of course the subject matter in some eps with rich characters as part of the plot saw many of them dressed in the latest fashion which is interesting to see (Templar in a Roger Mooresque safari suit in the odd episode in warmer continental locations) as well as the street scenes and other characters cars.

I notice the odd blooper in some eps like the characters cars changing derivative mid journey/chase when it they were meant to be the same characters car. In "Duel in Venice", a blue VW Type 2 minibus block Templars way when he was trying to tail the suspects, with the allegedly local driver shouting Italian at him, but the van is Right hand drive with British plates......... Apparently I believe the production crew were short of vehicles so pressed into service one of the crew vehicles! The black Fiat 131 Templar drives in that ep had rectangular headlamps mostly but was a twin headlamp model when he picked it up from the car hire place!

I actually had the The Saint Annual 1979 too!

[Gene Hunt]

Great theme tune...

[Villain]

I forgot to mention George Sweeney's appearance in that episode DC! Southall Gasworks is of course a well known and well used location in The Sweeney and The Profs.

The theme tune and a few incidental tracks from the series are on the 'Music Of ITC' CD compilation, another gem well worth having, my copy is always on in the car on the way to and from work 

Villain 

[The Saint]

I watched a few episodes when they were last on TV, like Villain says "a slice of late '70s charm"

Own the DVDs but yet to view them - maybe I will soon! 

However, for some reason I prefer the 60s episodes! 

The Saint

[Arthur Pringle]

I've also got a Return Of The Saint annual in the loft ( not mine actually, my brother's ). My memory of it being on tv was that it was shown on a Sunday evening. I'm not the biggest fan of ITC shows, but yes they were escapist fantasies like Bond films & did have some of the best opening titles/theme tunes ever. 

Have a look at this clip at 6min 50sec from the forgotten LWT comedy show 'End Of Part One'-

[Vienna]

'Duel in Venice' is one of the best episodes of the series, although in general I prefer the British based stories. The one with George Cole playing a deranged scientist trying to blow up London is one of my favourites.

[Charles Bronson]

I never watched any of the Ian Ogilvy episodes of The Saint. If I can get hold of some of them I will give it a try.

I like Ian Ogilvy. He should have had more success as an actor. He have a good performance in Witchfinder General, and  some other productions.

I too like the sixties episodes though. I was watching one about a month ago and I still find them really enjoyable.

[Villain]

It's worth a punt CB, the last knockings of ITC as far as the action series went, a bit cheesey here and there but it's a terrific period piece. Very much like 'The Persuaders' in terms of production, style and pace, but with a late '70s feel to it.

I watched some of the extras on the DVD last night, in the short documentary about how the series came about producer Robert Baker says that Ian Ogilvy was on his casting radar as early as 1972, when he saw him in an episode of 'Upstairs Downstairs'.

Give it ago 

Incidentally, does anyone know if the full 'Return Of The Saint' soundtrack is available on CD? Most of the other ITC series are but I can't find a set for this one, even though a few of the tracks are on the 'Music Of ITC' two disc compilation.

Villain 

[Charles Bronson]

I seem to remember hearing that when it came to doing foreign lo locations, the sixties series had to make do with mock ups at Elstree, but the seventies series actually went abroad to film scenes.

Charles.