Made in 1966 and put on air in 1967, it is a basic story line (with many different theory versions depending on your point of view) of trying to break someones determination to be individual and on the other hand someones rebellion of the establishment.
Each episode is about trying to get No 6 to tell them why he resigned his position and our hero trying to escape his Idyllic prison. It covers topics like drugs and personality drug alterations, deception, manipulation, disillusionment and dishonesty, to name a few, in differant settings and experiences. You can't even have a full nights sleep with out some one seeing your dreams and trying to alter your perception.

17 excellent storylines and brilliant acting with the odd slow part with a twist at the end to keep you baffled. The music is either brilliant or boring but also moving and hypnotic. Most people who watch the Prisoner love it and watch it over and over again.

Excellent DVD and worth buying, you may even join 6 of 1.

Excellent program from the '60's
Review date: 2005-04-27 Rating: 10 out of 10

Actually, contrary to what is stated above, the series was *supposed* to be just what-13 episodes? -but McGoohan agreed to pad out the show to make it saleable to American Television-it did not end due to poor ratings-it came on here as a "Summer replacement" show-always a short season-and to top it off-one episode was not shown by CBS, due to allusions to drug taking for fun and anti war sentiment. (nothings really changed, has it?)
That said, the video is only so-so/good-someone should really invest in a digital clean- up/restoration of this groundbreaking series.[ Review of Book]

Best TV Series ever!
Review date: 2005-04-01 Rating: 10 out of 10

If by chance you haven't ever heard of let alone seen the Prisoner, you should be told it is a 1960's ITC (Lew Grade) series running to 17 episodes, which follow a man known only as No. 6, who finds himself imprisoned in the mysterious and beautiful Village (Hotel Portmeirion in North Wales). We are never told exactly what No.6 did before - most likely some sort of secret agent, possibly even John Drake (of DangerMan), who was also played by Patrick McGoohan. The Prisoner's first objective is to escape, but his aims and objectives become more ambiguous as the series progresses. The 17 episodes - each a self contained story, except for the 2-part finale - range from more straightforward "will he escape" stories - "Chimes of Big Ben", Checkmate" - to social commentaries on subjects like education "The General"; and elections - "Free for All". It must be said, some episodes stand head and shoulders above others, and McGoohans original idea of a mini-series running to 7 stories was, by the end, becoming stretched in places. But some episodes justify the 5 stars on their own - "Arrival" (never has there been a more dramatic, well crafted pilot to any series- ever!); "Free for All"; Dance of the Dead" (with its beautiful encounter between "Mr Tuxedo" and "Peter Pan" on the Portmeirion sands); and a particular favourite of mine, "ABC". The final two episodes - Once Upon A Time and Fall Out - are complex, difficult to watch in places, but ultimately rewarding. Don't even think of jumping ahead and watching them first.

Criticisms? Sometimes the series shows its age - it was made in the 60's after all. Some of the technology and fashions look dated by todays standards. As time went on, so some of the scripts became a little weak (like "Its Your Funeral"). As storylines got stretched, sometimes the Prisoner even left the Village - "Living in Harmony" is set in the Wild West.

There is not much in the way of extras on the DVD's and the one, US documentary is a little dissapointing. However the overall quality of the production is very good.

Watch it with an open mind. It works on several levels - adventure series; social commentary; and as another commentator put it, "allegorical conundrum". One thing is for sure - nothing else on TV has really ever got close to it's range and depth.

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