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PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
The Saint-Volume 5 (1967)

The Saint-Volume 5 (1967)

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Released 7-Mar-2006

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Drama Main Menu Audio & Animation-.
Biographies-Cast-Saints and Sinners
Credits-Textless backgrounds and textless credits
Theatrical Trailer-Original ITC Trailers, The Saint
Gallery-Photo-Photographic evidence
Trailer-UFO, The Protectors ,Jason King, man In A Suitcase,
Episode Introductions-By Peter Wyngarde-"The Gadic Collection"
Production Notes
Gallery-Memorabilia
DVD-ROM Extras
TV Spots-Original Commercial Break Bumpers
Trailer-Strange Report, Randall & Hopkirk Deceased, The Baron
DVD-ROM Extras
Audio Commentary-Sir Roger Moore and Robert S. Baker -Two Episodes
Trailer-The Prisoner, Danger Man,Department S, Return of the Saint
Bonus Episode-Return of The Saint
DVD-ROM Extras-Original "Vendetta for The Saint" and Publicity
Filmographies-Cast-Sir Roger Moore
Rating Rated PG
Year Of Production 1967
Running Time 1130:00 (Case: 1150)
RSDL / Flipper Dual Layered
Multi Disc Set (6)
Cast & Crew
Start Up Menu
Region Coding 1,2,3,4,5,6 Directed By John Ainsworth
Robert Asher
Ray Austin
Robert S. Baker
Studio
Distributor

Umbrella Entertainment
Starring Roger Moore
Case Slip Case
RPI $119.95 Music Chris Andrews
Edwin T. Astley
Leslie Charteris


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame None English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s)
English Audio Commentary Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio None
16x9 Enhancement No
Video Format 576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio 1.37:1 Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures No
Subtitles None Smoking Yes
Annoying Product Placement No
Action In or After Credits No

NOTE: The Profanity Filter is ON. Turn it off here.

Plot Synopsis

    Having just completed my reviews of the new James Bond Ultimate Editions it seems a bit strange to be now sitting down to write up my review of a much earlier role of Roger Moore, Simon Templar or The Saint. This was a television series which ran from 1962 to 1969 in six seasons. The entire series has been released here locally by Umbrella as part of their British TV collection, formatted as 5 box sets, each of six discs. This particular set contains the last four episodes of Season 5 and all of Season 6 including the two double episodes which were released theatrically in Europe. The only other one of these sets which we have received for review is reviewed here. This review gives a good rundown on the concept for the series if you are not already aware of it.

    Overall, this was highly successful television for its time and high quality considering the very low budget. This final set of the series shows why the series ended after these episodes were made. The format is becoming a little stale and the writing leaves something to be desired in a number of episodes. Moore is still generally quite effective, although as these episodes continue he seems to be losing interest as well. After this series he moved on to The Persuaders with Tony Curtis and then into his successful run as James Bond. The producers actually used one of the episodes here to try out the concept of The Persuaders, The Ex-King of Diamonds. The episodes from Series 5 certainly struck me as better than those from series 6. The dialogue seems snappier and the plots more interesting. The episodes included here are episodes 96 to 118. A detailed list of the episodes included can be found at this link  The double episodes are included in their theatrical cut rather than as separate episodes. They are Vendetta for the Saint and The Fiction Makers. As a side note I had trouble getting these discs to work in my backup player, a Toshiba 1200, although they worked fine in my main player.

    This set is definitely worth having if you have the other four but may not be the one to purchase for casual fans.

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Transfer Quality

Video

    The video quality is good considering the age but has some annoying issues.

    The feature is presented in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio non 16x9 enhanced which is the original aspect ratio.

    The picture was mostly quite clear and sharp throughout for the age of the material, with no evidence of low level noise. There were, however, some slightly softer sequences. Shadow detail was decent but no more. There was some light grain throughout which sometimes was heavier, especially during darker scenes. Occasionally this resulted in some mild macro-blocking.

    The colour was mostly pretty good, however some scenes showed variation in colour between camera cuts and there was some mild light colour bleeding. All episodes are in colour.

    Artefacts included regular and quite obvious aliasing which is a shame. This was especially bad in episode 100. Camera pans was also quite shimmery. There were also some jumps and minor spots and splodges. There was also some edge enhancement.

    There are no subtitles.
    

Video Ratings Summary
Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    The audio quality is good.

    This DVD contains an English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono soundtrack encoded at 224 Kb/s.

    Dialogue was clear and easy to understand and there was no problem with audio sync.

    The music is a bit dated as you might expect but comes across quite well in this transfer. The famous theme by Leslie Charteris is the highlight.

    The surround speakers and subwoofer were not used.

Audio Ratings Summary
Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Extras

    There are copious extras spread over the six discs. To my mind some of the extras are very good while others are for completists only.

Menu

    The menu included an intro, music, and the ability to select scenes, languages and subtitles. Some menu screens included character quotes. The music on the menus is significantly louder than the show which is quite annoying.

Disc 1

Essay

    Inside the case there is a text essay called The World Beater about the success of the show and why it finished.

Peter Wyngarde intro for episode 99

    When you call up the menu for Episode 99, Peter Wyngarde talks over the menu about working with Moore on this episode.

Saints & Sinners

    Text bios for cast members in the episodes on this disc.

Episode Trailers (3:54)

    1 minute TV trailers for each episode on the disc.

Textless Material (2:09)

    Silent footage without English titles which was used for international audiences with foreign text laid over them. One for each episode.

Textless Opening / Closing Titles (1:35)

    As above but the titles for the show.

Photographic Evidence

    80 or so stills spread across each episode including promo photos, publicity material and behind the scenes shots.

Umbrella Propaganda (1:08 & 0:52)

    Trailers for UFO & The Protectors.

Disc 2

Essay

    Inside the case there is a text essay about Lord Lew Grade of ITV.

Memorabilia

    A large collection of magazine covers, film posters, articles, photos & video covers.

Saints & Sinners

    Text bios for cast members in the episodes on this disc.

Episode Trailers (6:00)

    1 minute TV trailers for each episode on the disc (4 UK versions and 2 US versions).

Textless Material (2:10)

    Silent footage without English titles which was used for international audiences with foreign text laid over them. One for each episode.

Photographic Evidence

    80 or so stills spread across each episode including promo photos, publicity material and behind the scenes shots.

Umbrella Propaganda (1:22 & 0:53)

    Trailers for The Saint & Jason King.

Disc 3

Essay

    Inside the case there is a text essay about Producer Bob Baker's career after The Saint.

DVD-ROM Extras

    Includes are original papers such as story ideas for series 4 and the full script of Time to Die.

Saints & Sinners

    Text bios for cast members in the episodes on this disc.

Episode Trailers (7:00)

    1 minute TV trailers for each episode on the disc (4 UK trailers and 3 US versions).

Textless Material (1:54)

    Silent footage without English titles which was used for international audiences with foreign text laid over them. One for each episode.

Commercial Break Bumpers (0:12)

    Small segments used to enter and leave commercial breaks.

Photographic Evidence

    80 or so stills spread across each episode including promo photos, publicity material and behind the scenes shots.

Umbrella Propaganda

    Trailers for Man in a Suitcase & Strange Report.

Disc 4

Essay

    Inside the case there is a text essay about the feature films constructed from double episodes.

Saints & Sinners

    Text bios for cast members in the episodes on this disc.

Episode Trailers (5:00)

    1 minute TV trailers for each episode on the disc. (3 UK & 2 US)

Textless Material (0:50)

    Silent footage without English titles which was used for international audiences with foreign text laid over them. One for each episode.

DVD-ROM Extras

    Script for The Fiction Makers plus a press release.

Photographic Evidence

    80 or so stills spread across each episode including promo photos, publicity material and behind the scenes shots.

Umbrella Propaganda (1:08 & 0:52)

    Trailers for Randall & Hopkirk Deceased & The Baron.

Disc 5

Essay

    Inside the case there is a text essay about The Persuaders.

Audio Commentary - Producer Bob Baker & Roger Moore plus a moderator for 'The Ex-King of Diamonds'

    This is quite an amusing and honest commentary where they discuss issues, the link between this episode and The Persuaders and other interesting anecdotes.

Saints & Sinners

    Text bios for cast members in the episodes on this disc.

Episode Trailers (7:00)

    1 minute TV trailers for each episode on the disc. (4 UK & 3 US)

Textless Material (1:38)

    Silent footage without English titles which was used for international audiences with foreign text laid over them. One for each episode.

Photographic Evidence

    80 or so stills spread across each episode including promo photos, publicity material and behind the scenes shots.

Umbrella Propaganda (1:08 & 0:52)

    Trailers for Danger Man & The Prisoner.

Disc 6

Essay

    Inside the case there is a text essay on the follow up series The Return of the Saint.

Episode of Return of the Saint - Duel in Venice (49:13)

    A full episode of the sequel series from many years later is included. Stars Ian Ogilvy as The Saint. The story concerns a friend of Templar's daughter being kidnapped in Venice while under his protection. She has been taken by an old enemy of The Saint who is a psychopathic killer from Australia with a very bad accent.

Audio Commentary - Producer Bob Baker, Roger Moore & Associate Producer Johnny Goodman plus a moderator for 'Vendetta for the Saint'

    Another worthwhile and interesting commentary track which discusses censorship issues, the US market, location shooting issues, cast members and anecdotes. Worth a listen.

Saints & Sinners

    Text bios for cast members in the episodes on this disc and Roger Moore.

Episode Trailers (3:00)

    1 minute TV trailers for each episode on the disc. (2 UK & 1 US)

Textless Material (2:09)

    Silent footage without English titles which was used for international audiences with foreign text laid over them. One for each episode.

DVD-ROM extras

    Press Info and a Dialogue Continuity Script for Vendetta for the Saint.

Photographic Evidence

    80 or so stills spread across each episode including promo photos, publicity material and behind the scenes.

Umbrella Propaganda

    Trailers for Department S & Return of the Saint.

R4 vs R1

NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.

    There is no direct comparison between regions here as the sets are differently constructed in both Region 2 and Region 1. There is one set in Region 2 which contains all 47 colour episodes (14 discs). In Region 1 there are six sets each seeming to contain one whole series. I will call it a draw and it really comes down to how much of The Saint you want and pricing.

Summary

    The final episodes of The Saint from 1967 - 1969 in a six disc box set.

    The video quality is good but problematic.

    The audio quality is good.

    The set has a large collection of extras, some of which are good quality, others of which are a waste of time.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Daniel Bruce (Do you need a bio break?)
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Review Equipment
DVDPioneer DV667A DVD-V DVD-A SACD, using Component output
DisplaySony FD Trinitron Wega KV-AR34M36 80cm. Calibrated with Digital Video Essentials (PAL). This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 576i (PAL)/480i (NTSC).
Audio DecoderBuilt in to amplifier/receiver. Calibrated with Video Essentials.
AmplificationPioneer VSX-511
SpeakersMonitor Audio Bronze 2 (Front), Bronze Centre & Bronze FX (Rears) + Yamaha YST SW90 subwoofer

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