The Saint S01E04: The Covetous Headsman (1962) in Color — Starring Roger Moore & Barbara Shelley

The Saint S01E04: The Covetous Headsman (1962) — Buy This Classic in Color

First broadcast on 25 October 1962, “The Covetous Headsman” is the fourth episode of the first season of The Saint, the British adventure series that made Roger Moore a household name. Directed by Michael Truman, this mystery-thriller episode stars Moore as Simon Templar alongside guest players Barbara Shelley, Eugene Deckers and Esmond Knight. The hook is simple and irresistible: a dead man’s severed head is the key to a fortune, and more than one dangerous party wants it. This episode of The Saint delivers the wit, charm and intrigue that defined the series at its peak. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

Simon Templar, the debonair adventurer known to the world as the Saint, finds himself drawn into a strange and macabre affair. A man named Marcel is found dead under circumstances that suggest murder, and the investigation quickly takes an unsettling turn. The victim’s head has been taken — not for any ritual purpose, but because someone believes it holds the secret to something far more valuable. Templar, never one to walk away from a puzzle, begins to ask questions that certain people would rather he left unasked.

The trail leads Templar to a circle of suspects, each with their own reasons for wanting the dead man’s secret. Among them is a woman whose connection to the victim is more complicated than she first admits, and a pair of shady operators who seem willing to go to any lengths to get what they want. As Templar probes deeper, he discovers that the dead man was not the innocent he appeared to be, and that the fortune everyone is chasing may have been acquired through deception and betrayal.

Barbara Shelley’s character becomes central to the mystery as Templar uncovers the truth about her relationship with the dead man. She is neither simply a grieving widow nor a calculating schemer, and the ambiguity of her position keeps both Templar and the audience guessing. Eugene Deckers and Esmond Knight bring weight to their roles as figures whose motives remain unclear until the final act. Each conversation Templar has reveals another layer of the deception, and each new revelation puts him in greater danger.

The macabre detail of the missing head proves to be more than a grisly flourish. It is the thread that ties together the various strands of the plot, and Templar’s pursuit of it takes him through a series of confrontations that test both his nerve and his ingenuity. The episode balances its darker elements with the light touch that made The Saint so watchable, allowing Moore to deploy his trademark charm even as the stakes rise. The supporting cast, including Carole Gray, George Pastell and Josephine Brown, fill out a world that feels lived-in and genuinely threatening.

As the episode moves toward its conclusion, Templar finds himself facing an adversary who has been one step ahead of him throughout. The question is not merely who killed Marcel, but why the head was taken and what its removal was meant to conceal. The answer, when it comes, reframes everything that has gone before. The final revelation turns on a single detail that has been present from the beginning, waiting to be noticed.

What makes “The Covetous Headsman” work so well is the way it withholds its central secret while still playing fair with the viewer. Every clue is there, but the misdirection is skilful enough that the truth remains elusive until the closing moments. The episode ends on the question that has driven the entire story: what was the dead man really hiding, and who will pay the price for uncovering it?

Cast & Crew

Director: Michael Truman
Stars: Roger Moore, Barbara Shelley, Eugene Deckers, Esmond Knight, Carole Gray

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The colorization of “The Covetous Headsman” transforms the viewing experience in ways that go beyond mere novelty. The episode was produced in an era when British television drama was shot in black and white, and the colorized restoration reveals details that were always present but often lost in monochrome. The period-accurate costumes — the sharp suits, the elegant dresses, the carefully chosen accessories of early 1960s London — take on a new richness when rendered in colourised form. Sets and locations that once appeared as shades of grey now show their true textures and tones, from the warmth of wood panelling to the coolness of stone corridors.

The restoration also serves the performances. Roger Moore’s screen presence was always considerable, but colorization adds a new dimension to his portrayal of Simon Templar, highlighting the subtle expressions and reactions that define his characterization. Barbara Shelley’s performance gains similar benefits, with the color palette emphasizing the emotional shifts in her scenes. The supporting cast, too, benefits from the enhanced visual clarity, making their contributions more immediately legible to modern viewers.

For those who have only seen the episode in its original black and white form, this colorized version offers a fresh perspective on a familiar story. For newcomers, it provides an accessible entry point into one of the most beloved adventure series of the 1960s. Buy your copy today at €15.00 and enjoy instant DRM-free MP4 download.

Historical Significance

“The Saint” occupies a significant place in television history as one of the most successful and enduring adventure series of its era. Running from 1962 to 1969, the show transformed Roger Moore from a rising actor into an international star and helped define the template for the charming, resourceful hero that would dominate espionage and adventure television for decades. The series was based on the character created by Leslie Charteris, who had been appearing in novels and films since the 1920s, but it was Moore’s interpretation that became definitive for a generation of viewers.

“The Covetous Headsman” was broadcast during the first season, when the series was still establishing its identity. Directed by Michael Truman, a veteran of British film and television, the episode demonstrates the production values and storytelling confidence that made The Saint stand out from its contemporaries. The guest cast, including Barbara Shelley — already known for her work in horror films — and Esmond Knight, a distinguished actor whose career spanned decades, reflects the series’ ability to attract talented performers. The episode’s macabre premise, unusual for the series, shows the range of stories The Saint was willing to tell.

The episode first aired on 25 October 1962, at a time when British television was expanding rapidly and adventure series were in high demand. The Saint capitalized on this appetite, offering viewers a weekly dose of glamour, intrigue and wit that proved irresistible. The show’s success helped pave the way for other British adventure series and contributed to the international popularity of British television production. For viewers today, the episode offers a window into the cultural landscape of early 1960s Britain, from its fashion and design to its social attitudes.

Colorization brings this episode to new audiences who might otherwise overlook black and white television. By presenting the story in color, the release makes the episode more accessible to modern viewers while preserving the original performances and storytelling that made it memorable. It is a way of honoring the past while making it available to the future.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 / MKV digital download
• Resolution: Standard Definition
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: English original mono
• Runtime: 49 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00 (token, rendered by the site)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Was “The Covetous Headsman” originally broadcast in color?
A: No. The episode was broadcast in black and white, as was standard for British television at the time. This page offers a later professional colorized restoration, not a studio color release.

Q: Who plays Simon Templar in this episode?
A: Roger Moore stars as Simon Templar, the role that made him a household name before his later tenure as James Bond. This episode is from the first season of The Saint, which ran from 1962 to 1969.

Q: What is the significance of the severed head in the title?
A: The “covetous headsman” refers to the macabre central mystery of the episode: a dead man’s head is stolen because it supposedly holds the key to a fortune. The plot revolves around Simon Templar’s efforts to discover who took it and why.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as MP4 and MKV files that play on virtually any device.
Q: Is there DRM on the file?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free so you can watch it on any device without restrictions.
Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: Your download link is available instantly after payment, so you can start watching within minutes.

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