The Fiction-Makers

"The Fiction Makers" was originally aired as a two-part Saint (TV series) adventure in 1968 (episodes #109 and # 110). Later it had theatrical and TV release as a feature film. This time famous Simon Templar (Roger Moore) has to face sinister Warlock (Kenneth J. Warren) , whose crimes are based on ideas taken from the books of a well known writer - Amos Klein (Sylvia Syms). Well, it's a typical Saint adventure which includes: grotesque villain, beautiful women, the chase, the fight and of course the one and only Roger Moore (the last real gent) , who proves that he's the best Simon Templar ever. The film was made in 60s and it can be rather funny than exciting but it doesn't matter. You don't watch this film because of its thrilling plot but because it's different than all those lousy "shoot n' run (and don't think much on your way)" films done these days. "The Fiction Makers" can be found as a very good documentary of what was popular in the 60s and how the films for TV were being made. But the greatest attribute of the film is, as I wrote before, 40-year old, but still looking good, future lord Brett Sinclair and James Bond - Roger Moore, his world famous Saint haircut (wow) and his perfect manners. My grade is 8/10, because the second Saint feature with Moore - "Vendetta For The Saint" (1969) is indeed much more thrilling.

Funny, entertaining, suspenseful, in a smiling way. Thoroughly enjoyable fun. Not as overly ridiculous as some Bond films, fortunately.

2 episodes of the classic series sewn together for a UK cinema release. Simon Templar is mistaken for a writer of clever thrillers by a group of fanatics hell bent on robbing an impregnable strongroom.

Whether a parody or a straight copy, the similarities to Goldfinger are pretty blatant. Accepting this, this remains a fun enough piece of hokum if you like the tv series, helped considerably by the presence of Sylvia Syms.

But much better than the one made a year later, "Vendetta for the Saint"(1969). Kenneth J. Warren is funny as Warlock. But the main attraction is Justine Lord as Galaxy Rose.

(1968) The Fiction-Makers ADVENTURE ACTION

Co-produced (uncredited) and starring Roger Moore starring as the infamous Simon Templer nicknamed as "The Saint" the character created by Leslie Charters. A movie made as a result of the popular television series that starred Roger Moore. The set up has Simon Templer being involved with popular author and novelist, Amos Klein (Sylvia Syms) as her safety is in jeopardy. And since many of the readers do not know what the author looked like, Simon Templer thought it be best if he pretended to be author, Amos Klein and she would pretend to be her secretary, Joyce Darling. And Simon does get abducted by a guy who calls himself Warlock (Kenneth J. Warren), another character from her novels, Simon is then forced by him and four of his cohorts- all consist of names from the authors novel to devise a plan to rob the most secured bank. The four of Warlock's cohorts consist of characters from her novels, that includes Bishop (Nicholas Smith), Nero Jones (Roy Hanlon), Simeon Monk (Tom Clegg) and Warlock's right hand man, Frug (Philip Locke). And then there's Galaxy Rose (Justine Lord) who is supposed to provide whatever Simon needed while being confined to his room.

I thought it was slick and may have an understanding why Ian Fleming originally wanted Roger Moore to play James Bond. As Moore is very charismatic and respectful and not out of synch with the The Saint character. And viewers who did not like this movie are obviously no fans of the TV series that was popularized by Moore whatsoever.