Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This A&E megaset contains ONLY the later color episodes and in my opinion the weakest episodes in the series as a whole. These color shows were original tales written for television and not based on the stories of Saint creator Leslie Charteris. These color episodes come off lighter and more tongue-in-cheek. This could be because ITC was pandering to the US in order to sell the series to an American television network or it could be the simple evolution of a series entering its fifth year of production. On the other hand, it could be that the writers devising the color stories didn't know Simon Templar the way Charteris did.
Prior to these color shows there were 71 black and white episodes produced over four years. Those original 71 shows are by far the best in the series (most, if not all, based on the stories of Charteris). In these stories Simon Templar comes across less cavalier and more forceful. Although he is still the charming crusader for the victims of the "ungodly" (as he might say), in these stories he dwells in a grittier monochrome underworld of crime. The stories themselves are great tales of murder, extortion, blackmail, racketeering, graft, espionage, etc.
So, if you want to experience the best years of The Saint then I would suggest acquiring the A&E The Saint: The Early Episodes collections. The first set contains all 12 episodes from series one (1962) and the second set continues with the first 16 shows from series two (1963-1964). All the episodes are brilliant transfers with crystal clear black and white picture quality. These sets are in very limited distribution. Sadly, Amazon does not carry them at this point. I hate to recommend other sales outlets so let Amazon know you want them to carry the Early Years sets.
NOTE: Since first writing this review Amazon has added the first two Early Episodes collections. I would strongly advise all Saint fans to acquire these terrific collections.
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SAINT MEGA SET, THE - UILTIMATE COL. ALL
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