You Won’t Believe the 97-Year-Old Book Series Behind Val Kilmer’s Forgotten Spy Gem

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As a supporter, I can say that “The Saint” served as an impressive testament to Val Kilmer’s versatility in 1997. However, it appears that the film didn’t resonate as well with professional critics compared to its performance on-screen. Debuting right in the middle of Kilmer’s career, “The Saint” offered a captivating glimpse into his acting prowess. Despite some flaws in the script, it remains a noteworthy gem from the 1990s film era. Coming hot on the heels of Kilmer’s portrayal of Doc Holliday in “Tombstone” and his stint as Bruce Wayne in “Batman Forever,” “The Saint” underscores Kilmer’s ability to shine across various genres.

As a cinephile reflecting on cinematic classics, I must share my thoughts on “The Saint.” Originally spawned from a series of pulp fiction tales, this film could have laid the groundwork for a franchise era that was yet to come, predating giants like Marvel and DC. However, in its time, it didn’t quite capture the attention of the masses as those titans did. Nonetheless, I encourage contemporary viewers to revisit this gem, as it stands the test of time remarkably well.

Though esteemed critics such as Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert may have given it a cool reception upon release, there is still much to applaud about the movie. Its enduring impact suggests that Val Kilmer’s portrayal of the enigmatic Simon Templar may not be the last time we see this shape-shifting genius on the big screen.

Val Kilmer’s The Saint Was Based on a Series of Short Stories and Novels

In “The Saint,” Kilmer embodies the character of Simon Templar, a former orphan who self-named after the Knights Templar. Known as “The Saint,” this character predates Kilmer’s 1997 portrayal, having been introduced in novels and short stories by author Leslie Charteris in the 1920s. From 1928 to 1963, Charteris wrote and published the series independently. Later, from 1983, he collaborated with other authors to create more tales featuring this beloved character. Since then, Simon Templar has been portrayed by various actors across movies, TV shows, and radio dramas.

In the book series, Simon adopts his pen name from those who sponsored him during his baptism – his godparents and godmothers. As depicted in the 1930 novel “Knights Templar”, this is the case.

He was given the name Simon Templar, but this wasn’t the only cause for his well-known alias. One day, perhaps the story of how he earned that nickname will be shared. It was preordained, as it was bound to adhere to him right from the start.

In many of his tales, Simon frequently adopted aliases with his initials, such as “Sebastian Tombs” or “Sugarman Treackle.” He was somewhat like a modern-day Robin Hood, possessing a youthful charm that set his character apart. His signature symbol was a stick figure of a man with a halo above him. Interestingly, this motif appeared at the conclusion of Kilmer’s movie in the form of a pin given to him by Elizabeth Shue’s character, Dr. Emma Russell.

Known for his ability to change identities, Simon adopts various outfits and aliases to carry out his exploits, much like the movie portrays him as an individual of uncertain background. In the books, details about his past are kept shrouded in mystery, but they do indicate that he is British. However, in “Meet the Tiger” (1928), there’s a hint that he spent time in America during the Prohibition era. The Simon Templar portrayed by Kilmer seems to be somewhat more of a hired gun compared to his book persona, who primarily targets individuals with lower moral standards than himself. This shift in character could have been intended by the writers to create an arc for Simon: transforming him from a selfish thief into a wandering moralist.

Despite many films being produced about Simon’s adventures, he has had the longest-lasting impact on television. From 1963 to 1962, British actor Roger Moore, famously known for his role as James Bond, played Simon in the British TV series The Saint. Moore is most synonymous with this character. The show The Return of the Saint (1978-1979) featured Ian Ogilvy as the main character, but it only ran for one season on both CBS and ITV. The Saint in Manhattan starred Australian actor Andrew Clark and was part of the CBS Summer Playhouse. This version didn’t go beyond its single pilot episode. A series of TV movies in the 1990s aired on British television, solidifying Simon’s character as enduring throughout the years.

Val Kilmer and Elizabeth Shue Save The Saint From Its Convoluted Screenplay

Although ‘The Saint’ was financially successful, it didn’t receive much critical praise. Over time, it seems the movie has lost its appeal. In its opening weekend, it ranked second, earning $169.4 million globally against a production budget of $90 million. However, compared to other films produced in 1997, it was relatively unpopular, coming in at number 28 out of 303. Critics weren’t particularly fond of ‘The Saint,’ and they didn’t hesitate to point out its shortcomings. Despite having some issues, the film offers enjoyable performances by Val Kilmer and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Although “The Saint’s” screenplay has noticeable flaws, the captivating chemistry between Kilmer and Shue manages to salvage it. The film experiences some pacing problems, with the central conflict – Simon trying to steal Emma’s cold fusion formula as part of a job – taking time to fully develop. Additionally, Kilmer’s portrayal of Thomas More can appear unsettling through today’s perspective, but he convincingly plays the tormented artist who attracts Shue’s character. The scene where Emma rushes to the American embassy after she and Simon elude their Russian pursuers seems like a point where the movie might be nearing its end. However, there was still a significant amount of plot left to unfold.

The Saint Main Cast
Val Kilmer as Simon Templar
Elisabeth Shue as Dr. Emma Russell
Rade Šerbedžija as Ivan Petrovich Tretiak
Valery Nikolaev as Ilya Tretiak
Henry Goodman as Dr. Lev Naumovich Botvin
Alun Armstrong as Inspector Teal
Michael Byrne as Yuri Vereshagin

In the 1990s, several vocal critics expressed their disdain for this movie. Siskel criticized it by saying, “I believe the disguises are a major flaw. If you will, it becomes ‘The Nutty Saint.’ It contradicts and weakens the tension in the film.” He was referring to the 1963 version of the same title. Interestingly, one of Simon’s disguises in The Saint bears a striking resemblance to Lewis’ character, Professor Julius F. Kelp. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has a 30% critic rating, with the general consensus being, “The Saint is enjoyable due to Kilmer and Shue, but the confusing script strains credulity.” However, audiences have been more forgiving, giving it a 63% approval rating.

The Saint Has a Planned Reboot With Regé-Jean Page

It appears that Simon Templar from movies and TV isn’t quite finished yet. While attempts have been made to restart the series after Kilmer took on the role, the most recent one, as reported by Deadline in November 2023, is gaining momentum with Doug Liman set to direct. Regé-Jean Page will produce and star in this new take, which aims to reimagine both the character and the world around him. Page has a big task ahead of him, as Kilmer’s portrayal of Simon Templar in The Saint was highly praised for his ability to capture each persona perfectly. However, it seems that the project, initially started in 2016, is moving at a slow pace.

As a film enthusiast, I eagerly anticipate stepping into the shoes of Simon Templar in the upcoming reboot of “The Saint.” I fervently hope that this project won’t get stuck in development like it has in the past. The character of Simon Templar isn’t one for mediocrity; adaptations either become a resounding success or face the pitfalls of mediocre failures. Therefore, only time will tell if the reboot will come to fruition. In this ocean of reboots and remakes, it would be quite unexpected if Hollywood decided to overlook this opportunity.

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2025-04-21 02:16