There is a juxtaposition of two real life conflicts into this story leading to a confused approach.
Set in the Far East, the Saint tells the viewer where it's all happening (shades of the Vietnam war.) The Saint is in the British colonial far east part.
Simon Templar has been sent by the British government to find a sadistic terrorist called the Claw also known as Dr Julias. Meanwhile The Saint gets embroiled with a British landowner Don Morland who with his daughter Jean is terrorised by their neighbour Max Valmon. He wants the Morland's farm, when his offer to buy is rebuffed, he gets rough and Valmon has Dr Julias on his side.
The story starts off with plenty of action as the Morlands are attacked by local rebels. Not realising that they are in league with Valmon. Simon Templar helps them to stave off the rebels with gunfire.
Valmon wanting to protect his land his way and does not want to be told by any government what to do. Especially a newly independent government that were once ruled over by the British. He regards them as inferior hence why Valmon sides with the rebels, he thinks they will listen to him. That really smacks of Rhodesia or even apartheid South Africa.
Once again Roger Moore's own politics has shaped the story somewhat. It just felt messy. It might have been better to set the story in Indo-China. Without a British family being involved in the farm. Keep it more rooted to the Vietnam war and communist rebels.
Set in the Far East, the Saint tells the viewer where it's all happening (shades of the Vietnam war.) The Saint is in the British colonial far east part.
Simon Templar has been sent by the British government to find a sadistic terrorist called the Claw also known as Dr Julias. Meanwhile The Saint gets embroiled with a British landowner Don Morland who with his daughter Jean is terrorised by their neighbour Max Valmon. He wants the Morland's farm, when his offer to buy is rebuffed, he gets rough and Valmon has Dr Julias on his side.
The story starts off with plenty of action as the Morlands are attacked by local rebels. Not realising that they are in league with Valmon. Simon Templar helps them to stave off the rebels with gunfire.
Valmon wanting to protect his land his way and does not want to be told by any government what to do. Especially a newly independent government that were once ruled over by the British. He regards them as inferior hence why Valmon sides with the rebels, he thinks they will listen to him. That really smacks of Rhodesia or even apartheid South Africa.
Once again Roger Moore's own politics has shaped the story somewhat. It just felt messy. It might have been better to set the story in Indo-China. Without a British family being involved in the farm. Keep it more rooted to the Vietnam war and communist rebels.