Although the ballyhoo surrounding the stars and glitz and glamour is to the
fore at Cannes, one must remember that this prestigious event is also a window
to the world for film-makers to both buy and sell their wares. In one of the
main halls I saw Arsenal Pictures' stand promoting their new production of
The Saint, which is to star James Purefoy in the title role. (For my money, Purefoy is the perfect choice.). Purefoy was screen tested for the role of James Bond
in 1995 for Goldeneye, and was rumoured as a possible candidate to
replace Pierce Brosnan as agent 007 in Casino Royale. However, this is not, at
this moment in time, a big-screen production, but a 2-hour pilot for TV. Filming
is to take place in Europe and Australia, and is being produced by Bill
Macdonald (who worked with Purefoy on HBO's Rome) and Geoffrey Moore
(Sir Roger Moore's son). Helming the production is Barry Levinson, who directed
Rain Man and Sleepers. There have been many filmed versions of The Saint dating back to the 1940s and through Val Kilmer's yawn-inspiring big screen version of the 1990s. However, none have clicked with the public except for Roger Moore's long-running 1960s TV series. The time is ripe for bringing this superb
character back to our TV screens, and with Purefoy in the lead, they may just pull it
off this time. I,for one hope so. Here is the synopsis: Simon Templar is part of
a secret organization known as 'Knights of the Templar'. He's responsible for
enforcing the group's code of ethics against the criminal underground of the
world. Those familiar with 'Knights' know Simon Templar by one name: The
Saint. His current assignment has him in Montenegro, rescuing captive
children from being sold on the black market. When the operation is finished,
Templar discovers that one of the children is missing. An orphan once himself, he vows to rescue the lost boy, no matter what the cost. Waiting for him in
Paris is Patricia Holm, an intelligence specialist and Templar's lover. She has
information that a crooked businessman named Carger is responsible for the
children's abductions; however, the Knights learn that Carger is now into much
bigger things. The Saint is ordered to find Carger and steal a treasured relic
that, if made public, could ignite a spectacular holy war. When he discovers
Carger has also been keeping the missing orphan as his own son, Templar must
decide between his own personal convictions and his duties as The Saint.Filming is due to start at the end of May. -Dave Worrall