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The Saint

  • 1997
  • PG-13
  • 1h 56m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
76K
YOUR RATING
Val Kilmer and Elisabeth Shue in The Saint (1997)
Simon Templar (The Saint), is a thief for hire, whose latest job to steal the secret process for cold fusion puts him at odds with a traitor bent on toppling the Russian government, as well as the woman who holds its secret.
Play trailer2:09
1 Video
99+ Photos
SpyActionAdventureRomanceSci-FiThriller

Simon "The Saint" Templar (Val Kilmer) is a thief for hire whose latest job to steal the secret process for cold fusion puts him at odds with a traitor bent on toppling the Russian governmen... Read allSimon "The Saint" Templar (Val Kilmer) is a thief for hire whose latest job to steal the secret process for cold fusion puts him at odds with a traitor bent on toppling the Russian government, as well as the woman who holds its secret.Simon "The Saint" Templar (Val Kilmer) is a thief for hire whose latest job to steal the secret process for cold fusion puts him at odds with a traitor bent on toppling the Russian government, as well as the woman who holds its secret.

  • Director
    • Phillip Noyce
  • Writers
    • Leslie Charteris
    • Jonathan Hensleigh
    • Wesley Strick
  • Stars
    • Val Kilmer
    • Elisabeth Shue
    • Rade Serbedzija
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    76K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Phillip Noyce
    • Writers
      • Leslie Charteris
      • Jonathan Hensleigh
      • Wesley Strick
    • Stars
      • Val Kilmer
      • Elisabeth Shue
      • Rade Serbedzija
    • 231User reviews
    • 61Critic reviews
    • 50Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

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    Trailer 2:09
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    Photos313

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    Top cast65

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    Val Kilmer
    Val Kilmer
    • Simon Templar
    Elisabeth Shue
    Elisabeth Shue
    • Dr. Emma Russell
    Rade Serbedzija
    Rade Serbedzija
    • Ivan Tretiak
    Valeriy Nikolaev
    Valeriy Nikolaev
    • Ilya Tretiak
    • (as Valery Nikolaev)
    Henry Goodman
    Henry Goodman
    • Dr. Lev Botvin
    Alun Armstrong
    Alun Armstrong
    • Inspector Teal
    Michael Byrne
    Michael Byrne
    • Vereshagin, Tretiak's Aide
    Evgeniy Lazarev
    Evgeniy Lazarev
    • President Karpov
    • (as Evgeny Lazarev)
    Irina Apeksimova
    Irina Apeksimova
    • Frankie
    • (as Irina Apeximova)
    Lev Prygunov
    Lev Prygunov
    • General Sklarov
    • (as Lev Prigunov)
    Charlotte Cornwell
    • Inspector Rabineau
    Emily Mortimer
    Emily Mortimer
    • Woman on Plane
    Lucija Serbedzija
    • Russian Prostitute
    Velibor Topic
    Velibor Topic
    • Skinhead
    Tommy Flanagan
    Tommy Flanagan
    • Scarface
    Egor Pazenko
    Egor Pazenko
    • Scratchface
    • (as Yegor Pazenko)
    Adam C. Smith
    • Young Simon Templar
    • (as Adam Smith)
    Pat Laffan
    Pat Laffan
    • Catholic Priest
    • Director
      • Phillip Noyce
    • Writers
      • Leslie Charteris
      • Jonathan Hensleigh
      • Wesley Strick
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews231

    6.276.1K
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    Featured reviews

    Shawshank Sam

    VAL KILMER AT HIS BEST

    As I'm not someone who is very familiar with the television show I'm guessing that it was a plus. The film was a complete entity without having to rely on the show of the same name.

    The film itself was brilliant, granted as a Val Kilmer fan you could say that I might have been biased but not very often. There are a lot of his films I don't like. Anyway, it had a nice story with plenty of twists and turns. It was obvious from the moment he met Dr Russell that he would fall in love with her, although there was a bit too much kissing and sloppy stuff.

    The best thing about the film I think was the many characters Val managed to do. He seems to be able to do so many, and not just in The Saint.. another one would be Tombstone. The man is a genius, in a league of his own.

    Just a word of advice to anyone who's going to see it, don't go in there expecting it to be like the television show because you'll be disappointed.
    Doylenf

    Cloak-and-Dagger espionage gets lift from Val Kilmer's clever performance...

    If you expect 'The Saint' to resemble the TV series with Roger Moore, or going further back, the films with George Sanders or Tom Conway, you're in for a disappointment. Like 'Mission Impossible' (the movie), it bears no such resemblance to previous 'Saint' films.

    On the other hand, it's an interesting espionage tale with the usual heroics and mixes of suspense and humor when Kilmer changes his identity to suit his purpose. Plenty of action thrills along the way as The Saint manages to outwit and outsmart the villains at every turn. Seems he's needed to infiltrate a top-secret organization bent on stealing a scientific formula that could change the world.

    Val Kilmer makes the perfect action hero in this surprisingly entertaining movie that was not given as much hype as it deserved upon release. His performance alone is reason enough to watch this clever spy film that mixes thrills with a dash of humor.
    dcobbimdb

    Pleasantly surprised

    Maybe my expectations were too low going in after reading a slue of terrible reviews, but I thought it was a good solid movie and very entertaining. Val Kilmer was great in his disguises and rolls. Elisabeth Shue was attractive as ever and played her part well. The movie kept on a continual pace, and kept the action and suspense throughout. There were a few things I thought were lame and it got a little unrealistic at times, but all in all it was a good solid movie. Maybe even a good action / romance date movie. If you haven't seen it (as I hadn't until today), give it a try. It has action, suspense, romance, and a little comedy thrown in for good measure. It runs in at just about 2 hours long, so long enough to get a good plot, some twists & turns and yet not bore you. There will always be people that pick plot holes in movies and just love proving that it's road kill. If you're one of those people, maybe you should stay away, but if you want a good entertaining popcorn movie it's worth a watch.
    Crewgrrl20

    A guilty pleasure

    I love this movie. As a movie buff, I must admit, objectively, this is a bad movie. The writing is ridiculous, the plot is convoluted, and Val Kilmer's accents are bizarre. But I love this movie. It is that wonderful combination of danger and romance that makes for great fantasy. The chemistry between Kilmer and Shue holds this movie together. It is a delight to watch them realize that their skin deep attraction goes much deeper. If you can suspend your disbelief and just enjoy the ride, the Saint is a fun movie. Despite its flaws, the Saint is a guilty pleasure to indulge in when your own life is lacking in explosions, gun fights, and sudden, passionate romances.
    Huxley-2

    Everything you ever wanted in a date movie.

    When this movie first came out I saw it 4 times! I really loved it. Then I started reading the reviews. I couldn't believe that the critics hated it! One thing I've learned, never listen to the critics! Anyway, this movie was really great. It's not terribly deep, but it's fun. I enjoyed the story line, the effects and even (dare I say it?) the actors. I think Val Kilmer did a fine job. What do those dunder-heads Siskel and Ebert know? Let's see them try to do an accent. I laugh in their faces (not that I'm bitter or anything)! So, if you're looking for a funny, romantic, exciting, spy genre movie, try The Saint.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The poetry written by Simon Templar's long-haired artist character, Thomas Moore, was actually written by Val Kilmer.
    • Goofs
      When Dr. Russell is shown the sketches of Simon's saint alter-egos, the nerdy reporter is in the pack. At the end she is surprised to find out he was the nerd, and the detective from Scotland Yard sitting next to Simon does not recognize him in his nerd persona.
    • Quotes

      Emma Russell: Who are you?

      Simon Templar: Nobody has a clue. Least of all me.

    • Alternate versions
      UK versions are cut by the BBFC with a minor edit to a shot in a nightclub where Tretiak is seen to visibly snort a line of cocaine on a mirror.
    • Connections
      Edited into Cold Fusion: Fire from Water (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Dead Man Walking
      by David Bowie and Reeves Gabrels

      Performed by David Bowie

      Courtesy of Jones Music/Virgin Records America Inc./BMG Music

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    FAQ22

    • How long is The Saint?Powered by Alexa
    • What is the car that Simon Templar drives?
    • What is that unique knife/multi-tool that Simon Templar uses?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 4, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • El Santo
    • Filming locations
      • Leningrad Station, Moscow, Russia(on location)
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Rysher Entertainment
      • Mace Neufeld Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $68,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $61,363,304
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $16,278,873
      • Apr 6, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $118,063,304
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 56m(116 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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