Mr Teal
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How The Saint really should have finished…
Of all the cunning escapes pulled off in The Saint’s cinema incarnation, perhaps the most impressive is Elisabeth Shue’s Lazarus style comeback – famously going the distance when her character had gone belly-up in director Philip Noyce’s original version. But just how did this premature clog-popping fit into the Saintly scheme of things, and what effect did it have on the plot?
Well, the cinema release is practically identical to the original, there was about 45 minutes lopped off the end all in one lump. And here’s how…
During her lecture exposition of the genius wheeze that is Cold Fusion; Lis becomes breathless, keels over clutching for her pill-bottle and calls out “Simon.” Val isn’t in disguise or sitting next to the police, and after a brief conscience-wrestle, shouts a reply. She spots him, so do the cops, he’s forced to leg it as Lis bids farewell to this mortal coil.
Later, while scouring lap-top footage of the incident, Val spies Tretiak Jr. – whose walking stick bears a needle-point at the tip – standing behind Lis at her press conference, and realises she’s been stabbed and poisoned.
He goes back to Russia and the Red Square coup sequence – which concludes with Cold Fusion going off – which is shunted almost to the end (i.e. Lis doesn’t live to see it). Val hounds the villainous Tretiak into the ornate presidential palace, and out onto the gilt-edged balcony for both baddies to buy it messily in an explosive chandelier scene.
Val heads back to Oxford University to root through his beloved’s stuff, and in a deeply improbably moment finds her Saint motif lapel pin, puts it on in a very symbolic fashion, cue music and fade to credits…
Now, how much better does that sound?
By Darren Bignell, writing for Total Film magazine.
C.E.
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'The face of the law may change, but never the clutch of the constabulary.'
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26/Dec/06, 4:41 pm
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Sebastian Tombs
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Re: How The Saint really should have finished…
Very interesting, Claude—I had heard that Emma bought it in the end after reading something similar during the test-audience phase. At the time, I thought the ending uneven, but I can almost forgive Paramount for giving the movie a Hollywood treatment. I know how a Noyce film can drag on (Clear and Present Danger) and there is a part of me that prefers the butchered ending.
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27/Dec/06, 1:14 am
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Mr Teal
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Re: How The Saint really should have finished…
I know where you’re coming from! The film suffered a second major change to the ending – with the climax at the Tretiak mansion being cut totally, so all we get to see is the bad boys being taken away in irons! I’m not sure how close to release this final edit was done, but the scene is included in Burl Barer’s book adaptation of the film.
Although corrected by the time the film was released on DVD, I seem to recall in the cinema version, after the Red Square scene with Cold Fusion, Val’s lips say ‘Miracle one’ and his voice over says ‘Miracle two.’ I could be wrong though… it was almost ten years ago!
C.E.
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'The face of the law may change, but never the clutch of the constabulary.'
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30/Dec/06, 12:02 am
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Simple Simon
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Re: How The Saint really should have finished…
I'd love to see the original version, perhaps if there is a new TV series Paramount might treat us to the 'Director's Cut.'
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18/Feb/07, 3:25 pm
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markvv
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Re: How The Saint really should have finished…
This newer version makes a heck more sense than the ending on the movie now.
So I wouldn't mind seeing the movie as intended.
I do like Val Kilmner, loved him in Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, and wouldn't mind seeing him in a saint movie more worthy. 
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22/Feb/07, 2:53 pm
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Mr Teal
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Re: How The Saint really should have finished…
A Saint fan has set-up two petitions to try and persuade Paramount to re-release the film with its original ending.
Use the links below to add your weight to the petitions.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/thesaint97originalcutdvd/
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/showthread.php?t=255839&highlight=the+saint
C.E.
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'The face of the law may change, but never the clutch of the constabulary.'
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15/May/07, 9:33 pm
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