The Saint-Volume 5 (1967) |
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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 |
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Rating | |||
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) |
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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 |
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.
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.
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Film-To-Video Artefacts | |
Film Artefacts | |
Overall |
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.
Dialogue | |
Audio Sync | |
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Subwoofer | |
Overall |
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.
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.
Inside the case there is a text essay called The World Beater about the success of the show and why it finished.
When you call up the menu for Episode 99, Peter Wyngarde talks over the menu about working with Moore on this episode.
Text bios for cast members in the episodes on this disc.
1 minute TV trailers for each episode on the disc.
Silent footage without English titles which was used for international audiences with foreign text laid over them. One for each episode.
As above but the titles for the show.
80 or so stills spread across each episode including promo photos, publicity material and behind the scenes shots.
Trailers for UFO & The Protectors.
Inside the case there is a text essay about Lord Lew Grade of ITV.
A large collection of magazine covers, film posters, articles, photos & video covers.
Text bios for cast members in the episodes on this disc.
1 minute TV trailers for each episode on the disc (4 UK versions and 2 US versions).
Silent footage without English titles which was used for international audiences with foreign text laid over them. One for each episode.
80 or so stills spread across each episode including promo photos, publicity material and behind the scenes shots.
Trailers for The Saint & Jason King.
Inside the case there is a text essay about Producer Bob Baker's career after The Saint.
Includes are original papers such as story ideas for series 4 and the full script of Time to Die.
Text bios for cast members in the episodes on this disc.
1 minute TV trailers for each episode on the disc (4 UK trailers and 3 US versions).
Silent footage without English titles which was used for international audiences with foreign text laid over them. One for each episode.
Small segments used to enter and leave commercial breaks.
80 or so stills spread across each episode including promo photos, publicity material and behind the scenes shots.
Trailers for Man in a Suitcase & Strange Report.
Inside the case there is a text essay about the feature films constructed from double episodes.
Text bios for cast members in the episodes on this disc.
1 minute TV trailers for each episode on the disc. (3 UK & 2 US)
Silent footage without English titles which was used for international audiences with foreign text laid over them. One for each episode.
Script for The Fiction Makers plus a press release.
80 or so stills spread across each episode including promo photos, publicity material and behind the scenes shots.
Trailers for Randall & Hopkirk Deceased & The Baron.
Inside the case there is a text essay about The Persuaders.
This is quite an amusing and honest commentary where they discuss issues, the link between this episode and The Persuaders and other interesting anecdotes.
Text bios for cast members in the episodes on this disc.
1 minute TV trailers for each episode on the disc. (4 UK & 3 US)
Silent footage without English titles which was used for international audiences with foreign text laid over them. One for each episode.
80 or so stills spread across each episode including promo photos, publicity material and behind the scenes shots.
Trailers for Danger Man & The Prisoner.
Inside the case there is a text essay on the follow up series The Return of the Saint.
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.
Another worthwhile and interesting commentary track which discusses censorship issues, the US market, location shooting issues, cast members and anecdotes. Worth a listen.
Text bios for cast members in the episodes on this disc and Roger Moore.
1 minute TV trailers for each episode on the disc. (2 UK & 1 US)
Silent footage without English titles which was used for international audiences with foreign text laid over them. One for each episode.
Press Info and a Dialogue Continuity Script for Vendetta for the Saint.
80 or so stills spread across each episode including promo photos, publicity material and behind the scenes.
Trailers for Department S & Return of the Saint.
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.
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.
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Audio | |
Extras | |
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Overall |
Review Equipment | |
DVD | Pioneer DV667A DVD-V DVD-A SACD, using Component output |
Display | Sony 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 Decoder | Built in to amplifier/receiver. Calibrated with Video Essentials. |
Amplification | Pioneer VSX-511 |
Speakers | Monitor Audio Bronze 2 (Front), Bronze Centre & Bronze FX (Rears) + Yamaha YST SW90 subwoofer |