The Saint
Simon Templar (The Saint), is a thief for hire, whose latest job to steal the secret process for cold fusion puts him at odds with a traitor bent on toppling the Russian government, as well as the woman who holds its secret.
Working with a respectable budget of $68.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $118.1M in global revenue (+74% profit margin).
1 win & 2 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Saint (1997) showcases deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Phillip Noyce's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Simon Templar in a cold Catholic orphanage, establishing his traumatic childhood where he was denied his identity and given a saint's name instead - revealing the wounded, identity-less man he will become.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Tretiak hires Simon to steal the cold fusion formula from Dr. Emma Russell, offering him enough money to retire with a new identity. This job will force Simon to confront real human connection for the first time.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Simon, disguised as Thomas More, deliberately approaches Emma at a poetry reading and begins his seduction. He actively chooses to engage with her personally rather than simply stealing the formula, crossing into dangerous emotional territory., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Emma discovers Simon's true nature as a thief when she realizes the formula is gone. False defeat - their relationship shatters as she feels utterly betrayed. Simon delivers the formula to Tretiak, but the stakes have fundamentally changed because now he cares., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 87 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Simon is captured by Tretiak's forces and badly beaten. Emma is held hostage, and the cold fusion formula is in enemy hands. Simon's lifetime of anonymity and detachment has left him alone, without allies or resources - the "whiff of death" as his old identity fails him., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 93 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Simon realizes that saving Emma matters more than his money or his anonymity. He synthesizes his thief skills with genuine emotional purpose, choosing to expose Tretiak's conspiracy and rescue Emma - finally acting for love rather than profit., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Saint's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Saint against these established plot points, we can identify how Phillip Noyce utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Saint within the thriller genre.
Phillip Noyce's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Phillip Noyce films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Saint takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Phillip Noyce filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional thriller films include The Warriors, Thunderball and Rustom. For more Phillip Noyce analyses, see The Bone Collector, Clear and Present Danger and Sliver.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Simon Templar in a cold Catholic orphanage, establishing his traumatic childhood where he was denied his identity and given a saint's name instead - revealing the wounded, identity-less man he will become.
Theme
The priest tells young Simon that he is "nothing" without a name, establishing the film's theme: identity and the search for self - can a man who wears endless masks ever find who he truly is?
Worldbuilding
We see adult Simon Templar as a master thief executing elaborate heists using disguises and false identities. He steals a microchip in Moscow, demonstrating his skills while remaining emotionally detached. Russian oligarch Ivan Tretiak is introduced as a powerful, corrupt figure manipulating Russia's energy crisis for political gain.
Disruption
Tretiak hires Simon to steal the cold fusion formula from Dr. Emma Russell, offering him enough money to retire with a new identity. This job will force Simon to confront real human connection for the first time.
Resistance
Simon researches Emma Russell, creates the persona of "Thomas More," and travels to Oxford to meet her. He debates taking the job while preparing his approach, recognizing this target is different - a brilliant, passionate scientist rather than a cold institution.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Simon, disguised as Thomas More, deliberately approaches Emma at a poetry reading and begins his seduction. He actively chooses to engage with her personally rather than simply stealing the formula, crossing into dangerous emotional territory.
Mirror World
Emma opens up to Simon about her work and passion for cold fusion, her belief that science can save humanity. Her authenticity and idealism stand in stark contrast to his life of deception - she represents the genuine identity he lacks.
Premise
Simon seduces Emma while stealing her formula, but unexpectedly falls in love with her. Their intimate scenes show him experiencing genuine connection for the first time. He obtains the formula but hesitates to complete the job, torn between his mission and his growing feelings.
Midpoint
Emma discovers Simon's true nature as a thief when she realizes the formula is gone. False defeat - their relationship shatters as she feels utterly betrayed. Simon delivers the formula to Tretiak, but the stakes have fundamentally changed because now he cares.
Opposition
Tretiak's men kidnap Emma to Moscow to force her to complete the formula. Simon follows, using multiple disguises to track her. Tretiak's son Ilya pursues Simon relentlessly. The Russian political conspiracy unfolds as Tretiak plans to use the energy crisis to seize power, making Emma essential to his scheme.
Collapse
Simon is captured by Tretiak's forces and badly beaten. Emma is held hostage, and the cold fusion formula is in enemy hands. Simon's lifetime of anonymity and detachment has left him alone, without allies or resources - the "whiff of death" as his old identity fails him.
Crisis
Simon escapes but is wounded and hunted through freezing Moscow streets. He must confront his fear of commitment and genuine identity. The crisis forces him to decide: remain the nameless thief, or become someone real who fights for someone he loves.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Simon realizes that saving Emma matters more than his money or his anonymity. He synthesizes his thief skills with genuine emotional purpose, choosing to expose Tretiak's conspiracy and rescue Emma - finally acting for love rather than profit.
Synthesis
Simon infiltrates Tretiak's political rally using his master-of-disguise skills, but now with heroic purpose. He exposes Tretiak's conspiracy to the Russian people via broadcast, rescues Emma, and demonstrates the working cold fusion reactor to the crowd. Tretiak's power grab collapses as the people turn against him.
Transformation
Simon and Emma are reunited. He reveals his real childhood name to her - the first time he has claimed his true identity. The man who had no name has finally found himself through love, transforming from anonymous thief to a man capable of genuine connection.