What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Saint
Leslie Charteris · Series · 1962
If you loved The Saint, start with The Saint (Phillip Noyce, 1997) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Saint across media.
You were drawn to The Saint by the thrill of charismatic outsiders navigating high-stakes moral gray areas with effortless sophistication.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Saint
Phillip Noyce · Film · 1997
Books on the same thread
James Bond
Ian Fleming · Book · 1953
Shares 2 threads with The Saint: Moral Ambiguity, Espionage.
If the suave, debonair heroism of The Saint hooked you, you will recognize that same lethal elegance in the international espionage and cool composure of the James Bond novels.
Doc Savage
Lester Dent, various authors · Book · 1933
Explores: Physical Perfection, Mental Acuity, Justice.
Much like the sophisticated vigilante antics found in The Saint, Doc Savage offers a larger-than-life protagonist who wields exceptional mental and physical prowess to enforce his own brand of justice.
The Stranger (L'Étranger)
Albert Camus · Book · 1942
Shares a thread with The Saint: Moral Ambiguity.
While The Saint explores the glamour of moral ambiguity, this classic delves into the darker side of indifference, perfect for those fascinated by the psychological complexities of the original series.
The Stranger
Albert Camus · Book · 1993
Explores: Existential crisis, Moral indifference, Alienation.
Those who appreciated the moral uncertainty of The Saint will find a deeper, more existential examination of human alienation in this masterpiece of twentieth-century philosophical fiction.
Films on the same thread
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Michael Curtiz · Film · 1938
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Justice and Injustice, Rebellion.
The Saint is a modern Robin Hood, and this film provides the quintessential origin of that archetype, showing the same commitment to justice and rebellion against oppressive power structures.
The Shawshank Redemption
Frank Darabont · Film · 1994
Explores: wrongful imprisonment, hope, institutional corruption.
If you enjoyed the way The Saint operates outside the law to achieve a higher moral purpose, you will appreciate this story of a man navigating institutional corruption.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Terry Jones · Film · 1975
Explores: Quest for Meaning, Bureaucracy Satire, Medievalism.
If you found the adventurous spirit of The Saint appealing, this satirical look at legendary heroes offers a humorous, deconstructed perspective on the quest for justice and moral integrity.
The Dark Knight
Christopher Nolan · Film · 2008
Shares a thread with The Saint: Moral Ambiguity.
The Saint thrives on moral ambiguity, a theme pushed to its limit in this gritty exploration of the personal costs and psychological weight of acting as a vigilante hero.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
While The Saint focuses on high-stakes espionage, you will find a similar dedication to long-form, character-driven storytelling in this serialized drama that tracks the complexities of a tight-knit community.
Crime in Sports
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: athlete misconduct, legal absurdity, scandalous behavior.
If the clever subversion of authority in The Saint kept you watching, this podcast provides an equally entertaining, irreverent look at those who run afoul of the law.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Saint (1997) a direct remake of the 1962 television series?
The 1997 movie The Saint is a separate adaptation based on the same source material by Leslie Charteris. While both projects feature the character Simon Templar, the film serves as a distinct interpretation of the modern-day Robin Hood archetype rather than a direct remake of the 1962 television episodes.
Does The Saint television series follow the same plot as the 1997 movie?
Both The Saint television series and the 1997 movie revolve around Simon Templar, a sophisticated figure who recovers ill-gotten wealth to help those in need. Each adaptation explores this Robin Hood premise through different narratives and production styles, reflecting their specific era of release rather than a shared linear plot.
Should I watch The Saint television series before the 1997 movie?
Watching The Saint television series is not required to understand the 1997 movie. Both titles are independent adaptations of the source material created by Leslie Charteris. You can enjoy either version of Simon Templar's adventures as a standalone experience without needing knowledge of the other project's specific events.
Is The Saint (1962) based on original stories by Leslie Charteris?
Yes, The Saint television series is based on the work of author Leslie Charteris. The show portrays Simon Templar as a debonair and sophisticated character who redistributes stolen wealth to the needy, maintaining the core identity established in the original source material written by Charteris.