The Prisoner - Complete Series [Blu-ray] [1967]

I was too young to watch this series when it was first shown back in the late 60's but as there has always been this 'cult viewing' description attached to it I wanted to see it for myself. Well, it certainly lives up to the decription! Whilst there is a story in each episode, it's essential that you see the first one to have any way of understanding those that follow and even then you'll have to open your mind a little.
Seemingly based on the 'you can resign but you'll never leave' belief held by many about government employees especially those from MI5, it teeters between reality and madness but in a truly colourful way.

The digital reproduction is excellent and it's hard to believe this was made in the 60's, the imagery, setting and acting is first class and looks more like something that could have been made last week rather than 40 years ago. Top Draw!!

For some reason, the reviews for both the DVD and blu ray releases have been linked together by Amazon.

So to avoid any confusion, this review is for the standard DVD set and NOT the blu ray collection.

'The Prisoner' episodes themselves are so well known and familiar to most people that there is little point describing or trying to explain them here.

So what's in the digitally restored DVD set from network? Well just about everything!

As well as the 17 episodes themselves (several with commentaries), there's original/alternate edits of 'Arrival' and 'The Chimes of Big Ben'. 'Arrival' is also presented as an original edit with the complete (and abandoned) Wilfred Josephs music score only (no dialogue). 'Arrival's' opening credits are also shown in side by side 'before and after' restored quality comparison. The alternate 'Chimes' appears to be the one previously released on the Carlton box set a few years ago.

There's a fine documentary about the making of 'The Prisoner' called 'Don't knock yourself out', featuring original cast and production team members.

A 'clean' opening and closing sequence, with no titles or credits superimposed is included, along with the original animated penny farthing 'advert bumpers' that were used for the commercial breaks on the ITV transmitions. There's also some shots of the filing cabinets from the opening credits with the 'resigned' label done in different languages for overseas sales.

Trailers for all the episodes ( I think these may be the same as on the Carlton release).

Photos/production stills - There's loads and loads of 'em. I wouldn't be surprised if every publicity shot ever taken for 'The Prisoner' isn't here, including around 50 photos from the 1967 press conference. As well as stills, there's also production designs by Jack Shampan.

16mm and 8mm home movie footage show behind the scenes of the filming in Portmeirion.

Put the discs in a PC and there's PDF files to view. Each disc has scans of original scripts. On disc seven, there's two unused scripts ('Don't get yourself killed' and 'The Outsider'), and two unused storylines ('Friend or Foe' and 'Ticket to Eternity'). There's also two 'Tally Ho' village newspaper front pages, call sheets, magazine and book covers, etc. Phew!

To top it off, there's an excellent paperback book by Andrew Pixley. This must be worth at least a tenner alone! Readers of other work by Andrew Pixley will know that his attention to detail on the making of genre TV classics is second to none and this book is no exception.

So, what's the quality of the DVDs like? Well, I already had the Carlton box set and was quite satisfied with the quality of that. I really purchased this new set for the wealth of extras. Having said that, the picture quality on this set is superb. The main improvement that I found over the Carlton release was on the opening titles. They are much cleaner and fresher on the new release. But I personally couldn't see a great deal of difference (if any) on the picture quality of the actual episodes themselves. But that's just my opinion.

Sound wise, I personally find the new Dolby 5.1 sound just a little bit 'tinny' for my taste but there's the option of the original mono sound to choose from if required.

All in all, a fantastic package.

My verdict. An absolutely brilliant buy!

If you already have the Carlton box set and only want to improve on the picture quality of the episodes, it may best to go for blu ray. If you have the Carlton set and want tons more extras, get this now!

One final note : Why are the plastic cases so reluctant to let you remove a disc!! I keep expecting a disc to snap before it comes out!

This is quite simply the most amazing example of television ever produced. The Prisoner was a conscious attempt to stretch colour television to its limits, and the result really is a work of art.

There are seventeen one-hour episodes which make up a great story, with heavy doses of psychological intrigue, philosophy, politics, psychedelia and 1960's Zeitgeist in general, and replete with that unique British eccentricity which is as charmingly understated as a cup of warm tea. It draws on a range of influences as varied and diverse as Kafka, Macchiavelli, Baudelaire, Orwell, the Beatles, James Bond, and Alice in Wonderland.

Every single aspect of The Prisoner is excellent: Patrick McGoohan is perfectly cast as Number Six, the whole thing is visually impressive, the seventeen plots are fascinating, Ron Grainer's riveting theme music conveys speed, power and intrigue, and even the graphic design of The Village's brand logo - the Penny Farthing with a parasol on top - adds to the feeling of something deeply sinister masquerading as an apparently delightful oddity.

In the 43 years since it was produced, nobody has come up with anything half so creative, enjoyable or thought-inspiring for television. Unfortunately, it's so good that it makes absolutely everything on TV today look like simple-minded kindergarten bilge. Nothing else has come close since.

Be seeing you, Number Six! Many times over.