Saint Jack

Director: Peter Bogdanovich Peter Bogdanovich

Overview

In the crime melodrama, Saint Jack by director Peter Bogdanovich, Ben Gazzara plays an American pimp, operating in Singapore. Seeking independence from the local mob, Gazzara is browbeaten--and sometimes just beaten--by the criminal powers-that-be. Resignedly, Gazzara goes to work for a fellow American mobster (played by director Bogdanovich, who is appropriately slimy) and ordered to photograph a crime-fighting senator (George Lazenby) in a compromising position. Gazzara finally develops a conscience, a shade too late. Filmed on location, Saint Jack was produced by the director's former mentor Roger Corman.

Product Details

Release Date:	12/01/2015
UPC:	0738329201678
Original Release:	1979
Rating:	R
Source:	Scorpion Releasing
Region Code:	1
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:55:00

Special Features

Audio Commentary with Director Peter Bogdanovich; On Camera Interview with Peter Bogdanovich; Brand New On Camera Interview with Producer Roger Corman; Original Trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Ben Gazzara	Jack Flowers
Denholm Elliott	William Leigh
James Villiers	Frogget
Joss Ackland	Yardley
Rodney Bewes	Smale
Mark Kingston	Yates
Lisa Lu	Mrs. Yates
Monika Subramaniam	Monika
Judy Lim	Judy
George Lazenby	Senator
Peter Bogdanovich	Eddie Schuman
Joseph Noel	Gopi
David Lazenby	Actor
Ong Kian Bee	Hing
Tan Yan Meng	Little Hing
Andrew Chua	Andrew
Ken Wolinski	Australian Businessman
Peter Tay	Mike
Osman Zailani	Bob
Elizabeth Ang	Shirley
S.M. Sim	Mr. Tan
Peter Pang	Triad Gang
Ronald Ng	Triad Gang
Seow Teow Keng	Triad Gang

Technical Credits

Paul Theroux

Howard Sackler

Peter Bogdanovich	Director
Roger Corman	Producer
Hugh M. Hefner	Executive Producer
Edward L. Rissien	Executive Producer
Paul Theroux	Screenwriter
Howard Sackler	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

After the disappointing commercial and critical reception afforded Daisy Miller, At Long Last Love, and Nickelodeon, Peter Bogdanovich went back to his early patron, Roger Corman, and created a film that confirmed the director still had talent and a voice of his own. Though not a great film, Saint Jack is clearly one that had genuine meaning for its director, and that personal touch is felt throughout the film. Bogdanovich employs a number of lengthy continuous shots and telling close-ups to very good effect, and he's not afraid to make the audience pay attention to follow the story (which may confuse some viewers). The movie is essentially a character study, and Ben Gazzara makes that character compelling and engrossing. Tough, full of street smarts, and insightful, Gazzara's Jack is a vivid and engaging personality that's surprisingly easygoing and considerate when the occasion allows -- and above all, despite the sleazy world in which he operates, he's at heart a decent man with a code he will not violate. Gazzara makes the character three-dimensional, and someone the audience is glad to spend time with. Denholm Elliott also turns in a finely calibrated performance. Bogdanovich and Gazzara would team up again two years later for They All Laughed.