Performance & Direction: The Saint Strikes Back Review
Last updated: January 25, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Saint Strikes Back (1939) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Mystery.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Mystery is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Saint Strikes Back features a noteworthy lineup led by George Sanders . Supported by the likes of Wendy Barrie and Jonathan Hale , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Saint Strikes Back (1939) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.6/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: The Saint Strikes Back
Quick Plot Summary: The Saint Strikes Back is a Mystery, Crime film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Saint Strikes Back
Ending Breakdown: The Saint Strikes Back attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to mystery resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the mystery themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Saint Strikes Back reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Saint Strikes Back Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Saint Strikes Back incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a mystery, crime film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Saint Strikes Back adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Saint Strikes Back?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Mystery films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Saint Strikes Back
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $128.0K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Saint Strikes Back Budget
The estimated production budget for The Saint Strikes Back is $128.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Saint Strikes Back
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Where to Watch The Saint Strikes Back Online?
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Apple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeThe Saint Strikes Back Parents Guide & Age Rating
1939 AdvisoryWondering about The Saint Strikes Back age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Saint Strikes Back is 64 minutes (1h 4m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.6/10, and global performance metrics, The Saint Strikes Back is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1939 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Saint Strikes Back worth watching?
The Saint Strikes Back is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Mystery movies. It has a verified rating of 5.6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Saint Strikes Back parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Saint Strikes Back identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Saint Strikes Back?
The total duration of The Saint Strikes Back is 64 minutes, which is approximately 1h 4m long.
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How The Saint Strikes Back Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Saint Strikes Back
Good. I'll compose a nice obituary for myself. George Sanders steps into the shoes of Simon Templar for the first time and beds himself in for a further four movies. The Saint Strikes Back is a complex little tale that takes The Saint to San Francisco and pitches him against a supposed female mob boss. John Twist's screenplay is tailor made for Sanders, ensuring he gets to play up the caddish rogue act with a tongue as sharp as a serpent. It's this aspect that lifts the film above average, the blend of comedy and mystery is deftly handled by Sanders. Support is good from Wendy Barrie, Jonathan Hale, Jerome Cowan and Barry Fitzgerald, while director John Farrow, without adding any stylish flourish, at least keeps the picture nice and brisk. 6/10
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
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