Val Kilmer’s version of The Saint (1997) bears little resemblance to the Leslie Charteris character created in 1928. Where Charteris’s Saint was an adventurer, Kilmer’s Saint is a high-tech contract thief. The movie opens with Kilmer stealing a valuable micro-chip from a heavily guarded building in Moscow. His next assignment is to steal the formula for Cold Fusion (remember that?) from a beautiful physicist played by Elizabeth Shue. But, of course, Kilmer falls in love with Shue so that complicates the caper with the Russian Mafia. I particularly liked the chase scenes in the Moscow slums and sewers. Kilmer and Shue are far superior to the clunky plot and dialogue they’re forced to endure. If you’re in the mood for a silly espionage thriller featuring Val Kilmer in a chameleon role, The Saint might amuse you. But after watching The Saint I wanted to drop everything and watch Roger Moore as the Saint! GRADE: B-
I’d rather see Shue as a stripper again!
Bob, what ever happened to Elizabeth Shue? At one time she was a rising star in Hollywood.
The movie is utterly infuriating – it could have worked, but really doesn’t as any level. The last part of the film was completely re-shot and I think you can tell as it really loses momentum. A really wasted opportunity – it didn’t have to follow the books of the previous versions, but to me fails on its own terms. And leaves the cast high and dry, as you say.
Sergio, you’re right about the potential of THE SAINT. It could have been very much better. But the lame plot and insipid dialogue doom it.
Kilmer made a few good pictures but that was a long time ago. I can really only think of THE DOORS right now.
Patti, Kilmer was in a BATMAN movie, too.
Kilmer is very hit or miss for me, mostly miss. As Patti said, I thought he was a good Jim Morrison.
I deliberately skipped this one, but then I was never a big fan of the Roger Moore show either.
Jeff, I was a sucker for THE AVENGERS and THE SAINT back in the 1960s. I have some of the old episodes of THE SAINT on DVD that I’m tempted to dig out and watch.
I watched that recently, as I hadn’t seen it probably since it first was on tv. It was entertaining, but not as good as it could have been. I thought it was interesting with the back story of Templars childhood, which I wondered if that was ever in the books. I remember one part where I wanted to scream ACK at the script, but don’t remember what it was specifically.
We have some channels that show old tv shows (METV among them) so I’ll look for Roger Moore. I enjoyed him as Beau Maverick
Maggie, Roger Moore doesn’t get enough credit for playing Beau Maverick.
I didn’t see this one–Kilmer lost me after TOP GUN when he was giving pressers talking about his “leading man good looks” and how he could do everything. I thought he was a little too full of himself. Okay, a lot too full of himself.
I picked up the complete Saint series with Roger Moore and I love it. And the constant parade of actresses that would go on to greater things is pretty amazing. The only problem I have with “complete series” sets is that I always lose track of where I am. I’m still lost somewhere in the Batman series from the ’60s. Speaking of which, Van Morrison, the Green Hornet, just passed away at age 82.
Rick, I set those COMPLETE sets all the time. Maybe I’ll pick some up in the after-Christmas sales!
Forget this movie, forget the other series. READ THE BOOKS. That’s the Saint character as he was meant to be by his creator.
Rick, I have at least a dozen SAINT books waiting to be read. Should get to them soon!
Kilmer at his smarmy worst. He lowered the bar to well below ground level. Ptah! Give me the books any day.
Jerry, I binged on THE SAINT books in the Sixties. You’re right: I need to read more.
Kilmer was very good in Heat and Tombstone. He has gotten a bit heavy in recent years. There has been a lot of talk about his health. That he has throat cancer. He belongs to one of those religions that don’t believe in medical care.
Van Morrision was The Green Hornet? I thought it was Van Williams?
Steve, Kilmer had a lot of talent but he wasted it in making some regrettable choices in the movies he got involved with. Like this one.