The Saint - The Complete Series 1 [1962]

Templar's dialogue is sprinkled with trendy Americanisms and the show is filled with American supporting actors in a blatant attempt to sell it to a transatlantic audience (the attempt failed, which is why Moore took on The Persuaders in 1967). A bevy of exotic women and even more exotic foreign locations establish it as a product of the Jet Set era, even though most of the production is in fact studio-bound aside from a handful of establishing shots. The second episode, "The Latin Touch", is typical: supposedly the action takes place in Rome, but its sense of location is fatally undermined by some distinctly dodgy back projection and the casting of Warren (Alf Garnett) Mitchell as an Italian taxi driver. Sophisticated it once was, but it all seems rather quaint now: the suits, the old school tie, the phallic sports car (a Volvo!), and Templar's smug, patronising attitude all grate on modern sensibilities. This is one for nostalgia lovers, certainly, but it hasn't dated too well.

On the DVD:Although billed as Series 1, this 10-disc box set contains the first 39 black-and-white episodes, dating from 1962-64. There are a handful of extra features on the first four discs, including some text biographies and fact files, plus an interview with series creator Robert S Baker. Picture and mono sound quality are generally poor, reflecting the age of the original material, which doesn't appear to have been remastered. Still, it's adequate for what it is and shouldn't deter fans from acquiring this generous collection of a cult TV classic. --Mark Walker

DVD Description
Contains all the episodes from Series One:

• The Talented Husband
  
• The Latin Touch
  
• The Careful Terrorist
  
• The Covetous Headsman
  
• The Loaded Tourist
  
• The Pearls of Peace
  
• The Arrow of God
  
• The Element of Doubt
  
• The Effete Angler
  
• The Golden Journey
  
• The Man Who Was Lucky
  
• The Charitable Countess
  
• The Fellow Traveller
  
• Starring the Saint
  
• Judith
  
• Teresa
  
• The Elusive Ellshaw
  
• Marcia
  
• The Work of Art
  
• Iris
  
• The King of the Beggars
  
• The Rough Diamonds
  
• The Saint Plays with Fire
  
• The Well-Meaning Mayor
  
• The Sporting Chance
  
• The Bunco Artists
  
• The Benevolent Burglary
  
• The Wonderful War
  
• The Noble Sportsman
  
• The Romantic Matron
  
• Luella
  
• The Lawless Lady
  
• The Good Medicine
  
• The Invisible Millionaire
  
• The High Fence
  
• Sophia
  
• The Gentle Ladies
  
• The Ever-Loving Spouse
  
• The Saint Sees It Through