James Purefoy as The Saint: Teaser and Plot Synopsis
The official website of Leslie Charteris (www.lesliecharteris.com) tells us that The Saint was represented at Cannes recently by Arsenal Pictures -- who had some rather nice teaser artwork and the following synopsis to promote the upcoming TV show starring James Purefoy:
Simon Templar is part of a secret organization known as 'Knights of the Templar'. He's responsible for enforcing the group's code of ethics against the criminal underground of the world. Those familiar with 'Knights' know Simon Templar by one name: The Saint. His current assignment has him in Montenegro, rescuing captive children from being sold on the black market. When the operation is finished, Templar discovers that one of the children is missing. An orphan once himself, he vows to rescue the lost boy, no matter what the cost. Waiting for him in Paris is Patricia Holm, an intelligence specialist and Templar's lover. She has information that a crooked businessman named Carger is responsible for the children's abductions; however, the Knights learn that Carger is now into much bigger things. The Saint is ordered to find Carger and steal a treasured relic that, if made public, could ignite a spectacular holy war. When he discovers Carger has also been keeping the missing orphan as his own son, Templar must decide between his own personal convictions and his duties as The Saint.Labels: 2008, Barry Levinson, James Purefoy, TV
18 comments for James Purefoy as The Saint: Teaser and Plot Synopsis
18 Comments:
Simon's an orphan again? Secret organization? Code
name? Pat Holm is an intelligence agent? Teal is a
lean, strong, American INTERPOL inspector? I'll give
it a shot but I really don't understand the need for
unnecessary change. Have they learned nothing from the Kilmer abomination? Sigh.
That plot synopsis has me worried. As Delmo said, did they learn nothing from the Kilmer film? Why can't they just do a straight Saint story? Can't they leave the basic character alone? Do they have to update everything? This doesn't leave me hoping for much.
Some things, as they say, are not even worth swearing over.
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I will probably watch, religiously, but I am a little unsure of all the changes being made. Guess we will all have to stay tuned!
Arrrrghhhhh...the hubris of today's entertainment industry! The Saint has been popular since 1929 but in 2008 the filmmakers decide to fix what has been wrong with this character all these years. It sounds like USA's "Burn Notice" is more like The Saint than "The Saint." How disappointing. No wonder TBS passed.
OK , so the original has been changed...The PURIST may not go for the PUREFOY addition.... to be honest is James Bond the original agent from the early days of the cold war and the end of Empire , not really. In London recently I realized fully it was not the same London of my ancestors. I will give it an honest shot.
Secret organisation known as 'Knights of the Templar' + a relic that could start a holy war - sounds to me like Bond crossed with the Da Vinci Code.
Pardon the cynicism but what happened to:
‘I am the Saint - you may have heard of me. Just a twentieth-century privateer. In my small way I try to put right a few of the things that are wrong with this cock-eyed world, and clean up some of the excrescences I come across.'
It will now read:
‘We are the Knights of the Templar - you wont have heard of us. We are a twenty first century top secret organisation. One of our operatives, in his small way will try to put right a few of the things that are wrong with this cock-eyed world, and clean up some of the excrescences he may come across.'
Of course I will reserve judgement till after I have seen it, but I fear they have veered off course again.
Why is it that film producers never seem to learn that those who forget the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them? Don't answer its rhetorical. But look at George Sanders' Saint in London vs any of the others he did. or more recently Simon Dutton vs Val Kilmer. I mean the basic plot a one man enforcer for the Knights Templar sounds not too bad as a stand alone idea albeit a none too subtle cash in on the Da Vinci Code, but its not the Saint. Leslie Charteris must be rolling in his grave. They'll probably stuff around with the Saint's signature theme too no doubt, probably throw in a bit of plainchant. Finally I have to comment while it will be good to see Patricia Holm make it to the screen seeing as how the Knights Templar are suppossed to be a celibate order, it looks like it'll have to be platonic between her and Simon. saints preserve us!
The two television series and the films of the Thirties & Forties didn't need all of this. Why can't the producers stick to what fans of the books have appreciated for decades?
Will I still watch? Probably...
In space nobody can hear you scream or swear for that matter.
The Saint in the books was an individual working with like minded people and a sometime girlfriend Patricia Holm. Nowhere in the books was Simon Templar a representative of any organisation, secret or public. This movie is not a return to the original Saint concept, its a hash to please Studio Executives and fans of Spy Genre Movies.
One of the reasons this project has been delayed is because the producers have sought independant financing rather than be tied to a studio so that they remain in control of the creative process.
The decision to give the Saint a back story is theirs and theirs alone. They are firm in the belief that the 21st Century viewing public will not accept leading characters without a history..
I don't agree with them but these guys are professionals who've worked in (mainly US) TV for years so I have to respect their point of view.
The synopsis for the SAINT does sound a bit like a BOND storyline, hopefully without objectifying the women, and making the criminals suffer from instantaneous idiocy that gets them caught or killed by the hero. (fingers crossed!)
Templar gets some morals and there seems to be an actual compelling need to right some wrongs without being too strained for believability. I had always thought that there should have be more to the Saints background, and some how involve the Knights of the Templar to give him a reason for doing things . Not that I didn’t enjoy watching Roger Moore look stunningly handsome smiling and looking up at his halo, but the story lines of the t.v. show were so contrived and often silly they seemed just right for television. Well, today’s television is a lot better than it used to be, or at least it has hope with shows like ROME, SIX FEET UNDER, etc. that rely on great stories and character development, rather than banal plots & punch lines that tend to insult their viewers for the entirety of the show. I may be in for a let down, but I am hoping for the best. Mostly because I know that JAMES PUREFOY will give it his all, and create his version of SIMON TEMPLAR with an infusion of English gentleman qualities that match that great smile of his. Thankfully there are great actors still working in front of the camera.
I think I agree with delmo's comments.
Maybe I'm getting old. Been a Saint fan for 40 years. To me (at least) the Saint will always remain British.So will Teal, and so definitely Patricia.Whilst most readers probably will disagree I think the Saint was diminished when he left the UK.
I think I agree with delmo.
Maybe I'm getting old. Been a Saint fan for 40 years. Still re read all the old books. To me (at least) the saint will forever remain British, so will teal,and so will Patricia. Although I accept most will disagree, I felt the saint changed when he left the UK,and lost his Saintliness to a large degree. Although I have all the books, my re reads are mostly between 1928 and 1940
Were they to establish Templar as the founder of such an agency, and one inclined to lead "from the front" as it were...
James Purfoy does justice to all of his characters, villain or hero, so that alone will lead me to watch it, despite reservations about the changes. If it sucks, I'll stop....its that simple!
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