Vendetta for the Saint

Simon Templar is on holiday in Naples when a small uproar on a lunch table draws his attention. An English tourist attempts to greet an Italian businessman as an old friend, but the Italian refuses to acknowledge the greeting and claims never to have met him.

The Vendetta for the Saint is a feature version of a two-part episode of THE SAINT, and it's quite an enjoyable watch. Roger Moore charismatically dons the halo as he takes on Ian Hendry, a fake mafia don, dodging a bomb device placed in his car, almost getting injected with scopolamine and running around the Palermo countryside hunted by Hendry's goons. There's some good fights, nice location. If you're fan of the Saint series, you would naturally like this.

The movie is a revenge movie starring Roger Moore, Ian Hendry, Rosemary Dexter, Aimi MacDonald and Maria Burke.

This is a revenge movie and a typical Dependent on Roger Moore and you will not get disappointed.

Acting of the central characters are good but support cast disappoints.

The movie is not long and is good. Direction is ok, screenplay is nice, location is again ok.

Overall a typical Roger Moore movie.

Roger Moore once commented that although The Saint was often set in exotic locations, he hardly ever left the studio. This edition is an exception. It was set in Sicily with plenty of outdoor action to prove it. Except it isn't. It was clearly filmed on the small, sunny island about 70 miles south of Sicily. Malta. Having been to Malta numerous times it was easy to spot many Maltese tourist attractions. As for the story this is a two parter put together to make one film. It sees our hero going after the next head of the Mafia, with the help, naturally, of two gorgeous women. It is entertaining enough, but for a double header the plot is a bit thin. As a child The Saint was my favourite show, and viewing them 50+ years later it is easy to mock the uncomplicated stories, poor production values and often wooden acting but I still love 'em.

Ian Hendry, who plays Destamio here, was the original on the Avengers back in '61 (John Steed was his assistant), with the classic English accent. Yet here (as an Italian-American gangster), he produces the most tone-perfect Frank Sinatra imitation I've ever heard from a British actor.

Worth seeing because of Aimi MacDonald's beautiful body. And Rosemary Dexter was sweet. Ian Hendry was a very good actor (especially in Polanski's "Repulsion"), and Roger Moore had his unique charm.