Return Of The Saint (1978) – Yesterday’s Hero : Complete Episode

Return of the Saint is a revival/updating of The Saint, a programme based upon the stories of Leslie Charteris that had originally aired from 1962 to 1969 and starred Roger Moore as Simon Templar (the character, in turn, had been introduced by Charteris in a series of novels and short stories dating back to 1928). The new series starred Ian Ogilvy as Templar, an independently wealthy, somewhat mysterious “do-gooder” known as “The Saint”. Templar is shown travelling around Britain and Europe, helping out the people he encounters, though he is also often summoned by past acquaintances.

The series borrowed a few storytelling elements from its predecessor. Once again, each episode began with Simon narrating an introduction to set the scene for viewers, and each pre-credit sequence ended with an animated halo appearing above Templar’s head as he was identified. The series also made a recurring reference to the 1930s–40s film series. As well as the 1940s radio series that starred Vincent Price as Templar: as the halo appears over Simon’s head and just before the opening credits begin, a short phrase of music is heard; this is not actually part of the specially composed theme music for the Return of the Saint series, but is in fact the signature theme of the Saint from film and radio.

Other than these cosmetic touches, there is no continuity implied between the Ogilvy and Moore series.

Extract from Return of the Saint on Wikipedia

Plot Summary Of Yesterday’s Hero

Several years earlier the Saint was on a secret mission with three other men, Gates, Cleaver and Diskett. Gates was captured and it was assumed that he was killed. However, he now returns from the prison where he was held and tortured to gain revenge on Cleaver, the man who betrayed him and who is now an arms dealer. He turns to the Saint for help.

From Return of the Saint – Yesterday’s Hero on IMDb