The Saint S01E12: The Charitable Countess (1962) in Color — Starring Roger Moore & Nigel Davenport

The Saint S01E12: The Charitable Countess (1962) — Buy This Classic in Color

First broadcast on 20 December 1962, this episode of The Saint is a British crime adventure directed by Jeremy Summers and starring Roger Moore as Simon Templar, with guest performances from Nigel Davenport, Warren Mitchell and Patricia Donahue. The story follows the suave amateur detective as he is drawn into a case of stolen charity funds and a suspicious benefactress whose generosity hides something far less noble. It is a tight, stylish slice of early-sixties television, running just 49 minutes and packed with the wit and charm that made the series a favourite on both sides of the Atlantic. 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 friend and foe alike as the Saint, finds himself at a charity gala where the wealthy and the well-meaning have gathered to raise money for a worthy cause. The evening’s host is the glamorous Countess, a woman whose philanthropic reputation precedes her and whose charm seems to disarm everyone in the room. Templar, never one to take appearances at face value, notices small inconsistencies in the way the evening has been arranged — a misplaced ledger, a guest who seems to know too much, a donation that never quite reaches its intended destination.

As the night wears on, Templar’s suspicions harden into certainty. The Countess’s charitable enterprise is not what it appears to be, and the money flowing through her hands is being diverted with considerable skill. What begins as a quiet observation becomes a full investigation as Templar begins to trace the movement of funds, following a trail that leads him through the drawing rooms of London society and into far less respectable corners of the city.

The cast of characters surrounding the Countess proves as complicated as the scheme itself. There are business associates with their own agendas, employees who may be complicit or merely frightened, and at least one figure whose interest in the Countess appears to be personal rather than financial. Templar must work out who is a victim, who is a conspirator, and who is simply caught in the middle — all while maintaining the easy charm that allows him to move through high society without raising alarm.

The investigation takes a more dangerous turn when Templar’s inquiries begin to attract attention. What had seemed a matter of clever accounting reveals a willingness to use force when cornered, and the Saint finds himself navigating threats that are rather more physical than he had anticipated. The Countess, far from being a passive figurehead, proves to be a formidable opponent — intelligent, composed, and entirely capable of anticipating Templar’s next move.

As the pieces come together, Templar assembles the evidence that will expose the scheme, but the final confrontation forces him to consider a question he had not expected. The truth about the charitable Countess is not simply a matter of guilt or innocence; it is a matter of motive, and of what a person will do when the cause they serve matters more to them than the rules they are breaking. The episode builds to a resolution that asks whether the Saint’s judgement of the Countess was ever quite as clear as he believed.

Cast & Crew

Director: Jeremy Summers
Stars: Roger Moore, Nigel Davenport, Warren Mitchell, Patricia Donahue, Anthony Newlands

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The colourised restoration of this episode transforms the world Simon Templar moves through. The charity gala sequences come alive with the rich textures of early-sixties formal wear — the deep tones of evening gowns, the sheen of dinner jackets, the warm glow of chandeliers against panelled walls. Sets that read as flat greys in the original broadcast now show their full design, from the patterned wallpaper of the Countess’s residence to the polished wood and brass of the offices where the financial trail leads. Location work benefits just as much, with the streets and façades of early-sixties Britain rendered in period-accurate colour that grounds the drama in a specific time and place.

Most importantly, the restoration serves the performances. Roger Moore’s screen presence depends heavily on visual polish, and colour sharpens the elegance that defines his Saint. The guest cast — including Nigel Davenport and Warren Mitchell — gain definition and immediacy, their expressions and reactions clearer against backgrounds that no longer blur into monochrome. For viewers who know the series only from grainy black-and-white broadcasts, this colourised edition offers a genuinely fresh way to experience a classic episode. Buy it today at €15.00 and enjoy an instant DRM-free MP4 download.

Historical Significance

The Saint ran on British television from 1962 to 1969 and became one of the most successful series ever exported from the United Kingdom, eventually sold to dozens of countries and turning Roger Moore into an international star. Created from the stories of Leslie Charteris, the series followed the adventures of Simon Templar, a modern Robin Hood figure who operated outside the law but generally on the side of justice. Its blend of mystery, wit and glamour made it a defining example of early-sixties British adventure television, and it remains closely associated with Moore, who would later take on the role of James Bond.

This episode, the twelfth of the first season, aired on 20 December 1962 and features a guest cast of considerable pedigree. Nigel Davenport was already an established stage and screen actor who would go on to a long and distinguished career, while Warren Mitchell was building the reputation that would soon make him a household name. Patricia Donahue brought Hollywood experience to the production. Under the direction of Jeremy Summers, who worked extensively in British television and film during this period, the episode demonstrates the efficient, dialogue-driven storytelling that characterised the series at its best.

For audiences today, the episode is a window into a particular moment in television history — a time when a 49-minute adventure could be built almost entirely on character, conversation and the charisma of its lead. The colorized edition brings this piece of television heritage to new audiences, allowing viewers who might never seek out a black-and-white broadcast to discover the style and charm of The Saint in a form that feels immediate and accessible.

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 Saint originally broadcast in colour?
A: No. This episode of The Saint was broadcast in black and white when it first aired on 20 December 1962. This page offers a later professional colorized restoration, not a studio colour release.

Q: Who plays Simon Templar in this episode?
A: Roger Moore stars as Simon Templar, the role that made him an international television star before he went on to play James Bond. This episode also features guest performances from Nigel Davenport, Warren Mitchell and Patricia Donahue.

Q: How long is this episode and does it stand alone?
A: The episode runs 49 minutes and tells a complete, self-contained story. You do not need to have seen any other episode of The Saint to follow the plot, which makes it an easy introduction to the series.

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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