The Prisoner [DVD] [1967]


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Our Price: £37.00 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Part action series, part psychedelic fantasy, part allegory, Patrick McGoohan's masterpiece, The Prisoner, was initially touted as a sequel to his earlier spy series, Danger Man. But when it was first broadcast in 1967 TV audiences were puzzled; when the show was cancelled 17 episodes later due to declining viewing figures, no one was any the wiser. Shot in the picturesque surroundings of Portmeirion in North Wales, whose architectural fantasies provided an ideal backdrop for the show's surrealism, The Prisoner has subsequently been recognised as one of the most innovative and thought-provoking series ever to be broadcast. Despite the primary-coloured flower-power look, the show's bold ideas haven't dated at all, proving that The Prisoner was simply years ahead of its time.

McGoohan is Number 6, a man whose resignation from the secret service (seen every week in a montage title sequence--itself an impressionistic TV landmark) triggers his abduction and imprisonment in "The Village", a sort of open prison for spies where everyone has a number not a name. It's a pretty comfortable place and the other inhabitants all seem passively to accept the situation, allowing the Village authorities to control and limit their actions without protest (escape attempts are thwarted by mysterious bubble-shaped guards called "Rovers"). Number 6, however, is an indomitable freedom fighter whose refusal to accept the status quo is a metaphor for the individual ego struggling against the forces of social conformity: "I am not a number I am a free man" is the series' most resonant catchphrase.

The Village's allegorical microcosm of society is presided over by Number 2, played by a different actor every week, with whom Number 6 clashes repeatedly in a battle of wills as he continually questions the authority that has imprisoned him ("Who is Number 1?"). In turn the Kafkaesque authorities try to discover the reason why he resigned. His trenchant refusal to provide any reason at all is itself a powerful assertion of individual freedom. The series culminates in perhaps the most bizarre and psychedelic TV episode ever made, "Fallout", in which Number 6's revelatory discovery of the real power that keeps him imprisoned raises more questions than it answers. --Mark Walker



Way ahead of it's time
Review date: 2008-02-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

There's not much to say about 'The Prisoner' that hasn't already been said, but as it made such a huge impression on me, I'm compelled to give my thoughts.

The first thing that struck me about 'The Prisoner' was it's similarity to 'Lost' and other shows of that ilk that are so popular right now, these shows get you thinking "what's really going on" and often leave you guessing, it's not all laid out, you need to fill in a few gaps yourself so it becomes in a strange way an interactive experience. I find myself thinking deeply about the episode I just watched for days after.

Watching every episode is pure escapism from the classic opening titles to the end credits. I really felt how it was to be a prisoner in this strange place the feeling of claustrophobia are conveyed beautifully, Patrick McGoohan is stunning in this, the intensity of his performance is compelling and combined with the stunning cinematography and often surreal soundtrack make this a classic, must see series.



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Reviews


watch it, by hook or by crook watch it!!
Review date: 2006-05-22 Rating: 10 out of 10

someone corrected the reviewer in saying that it wasnt cancelled because of poor ratings which was right but they were wrong in saying there was 13 original episodes planned there were only 7 in patrick maghoon's original idea but he was told more were needed and made it up to 17 although the core 7 remain in tact. it was made up to 17 becaue that is all they could write, there are unused scripts but these are ones that were rejected rather than ones that were never filmed because it was cancelled. Also it must be said the order they aired in (and put on the dvd) and the order they were intended to be shown in are different, just do a web search and it is easy to find a better watching order (although there are arguments on this), its worth it simply bewcause some things (such as the recurrance of characters and number 6's interaction with number 2)

anyway saying that the prisoner is perhaps the finest piece of television i have ever seen certainly one of the finest examples of what is possible with such a medium, there is never likely to be anything like it again (the remake will fail, it has already been reported it will take 'liberties' with the story which is not a good thing) i am still surprised that something so bold, experimental and an amazing amount of ambiguity got made.

indeed you are never certain of anything within the show and the ending only raises more questions and contradictions and does it very well and is simply a psychodelic masterpiece, albeit a very confusing and messy one but in a good way.
to me there must be special mention to the episodes 'schizoid man' (and if you enjoyed that i would highly recommend the film perfect blue, i wouldnt be too surprised if this episode influenced it) 'hammer into anvil', 'free for all' and 'a change of mind'

it is an amazing series i think everyone should see and it is criminal that is isnt getting regularly repeated and relatively few people get to see it.


Where am I? In the Village.
Review date: 2005-11-24 Rating: 10 out of 10

Just to add to phil1_atr and his excellent review, the prisoner was made 20 years before its time and we have only just cought up with it.

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.


Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Patrick McGoohan

Creators:
Patrick McGoohan (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: ITV DVD
Manufacturer: ITV DVD
EAN: 5037115010339
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 5
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2000-08-14
Number of discs: 5
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 960 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1968-06-01
Language: English (Original Language)

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