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From Amazon.co.uk
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
Product Description
The collected legendary cult TV series starring Patrick McGoohan. The Prisoner centres on a British Intelligence agent (McGoohan) who is kidnapped from his London home and taken to a strange island village, where he's subjected to a brainwashing programme by an unseen foe. His new identity as 'Number Six' is confusing at first, giving way to anger and frustration along with a great desire to get away. Various agents of the mysterious regime that run this island, invariably called 'Number Two' seem intent on finding out why he resigned his covert post in the intelligence service. Number Six gamely attempts to resist the brainwashing of the omnipresent yet unseen 'Number One' whose voice booms at him from every corner of the village and whose eye appears to see all. Number Six's futile attempts at escape only intensify the sensory barrage (including hypnosis, hallucinogenic drug experiences, identity theft, mind control and dream manipulation) of Number One. The series was filmed on location in the rather spooky grounds of Clough Williams-Ellis' Italianate Hotel Portmeirion in North Wales.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 51 people found the following review helpful
By Psi Powers
Format:DVD
Any one of the available reviews will tell you the plot so let's get to the meat of the matter:
It is either a damning or praising thing to say that this show is the best thing that ever happened to British television.
Praise indeed for the show but damning also since it was made in the 1960s and there has been little to rival it ever since.
Truly thought provoking and insightful this show simply refuses to lie down and go away. It's Orwellian view of a world watched by cameras and a population subjugated by petty belief systems predicts our life today. And therein lies some of it's appeal. We like this stuff. There's an element of the rebel in almost every one of us. We will not be told to shut up and toe the line. And this series still pulls at those strings. The Prisoner has not dated and with often intriguing stories, excellent scripts and a sterling lead role performance by Patrick McGoohan it continues to provoke active discussion and entertains a large and loyal fanbase.
Having this boxed set is a must. For this show is unlike many others in that it has a beginning, a middle and a conclusion. So therefore seeing it all is a prerequisite. And despite the reports stating that the 'answer' is never made clear, any intelligent viewer will understand what it's all about.
The quality of the DVDs is very good. The remastering has brought out the full glory of the show. In fact I'd hazard to say that few of those people who saw the series on it's original run would have seen it look so wonderful.
It's little wonder that this show has been slyly referred to within the plots of other shows, (The Avengers, Columbo and The Simpsons to name but three).
... Read more ›65 of 67 people found the following review helpful
By Paul Ashwood
Format:DVD
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!!
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!!
64 of 66 people found the following review helpful
By Siggy
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
(EDIT 28/01/13) The reviews are now linked together for at least four other box sets, so for further clarification, this review refers to the 7 disc standard DVD box set released by 'Network' in the UK (Amazon ASIN: B001AQVFDO).
'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.... Read more ›
So to avoid any confusion, this review is for the standard DVD set and NOT the blu ray collection.
(EDIT 28/01/13) The reviews are now linked together for at least four other box sets, so for further clarification, this review refers to the 7 disc standard DVD box set released by 'Network' in the UK (Amazon ASIN: B001AQVFDO).
'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.... Read more ›
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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").
... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
ahead of its time
Good series of an enemy intelligent service trying several ways to extract information from individuals with a high clever profile.
Published 2 days ago by Gerry
4.0 out of 5 stars
Full marks to Network for this Blu-Ray makeover, but ultimately
we did start to find this series boring. I think this might have been mostly because they dragged it out over too many episodes. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Laraine A. Barker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!!
I had only seen a couple of episodes on telly before buying the set and I simply wanted to know the story from the start. Read more
Published 24 days ago by chris gilbert
5.0 out of 5 stars
Going to stay for a few nights in the Potmeirion Hotel
Decided to buy this to re-live the memories. The quality of this dvd is stunning. The background info in the book is for Prisoner anoraks only.
Published 26 days ago by Brian N
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Prisoner
It was interesting to watch for the first time, and of course, the village of Portmeirion, which is really the leading character, is absolutely stunning.
Published 1 month ago by Sue Heard
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Prisoner.
Excellent Quality. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I shall watch it over and over again. I can't remember some of the episodes. I must have missed them first time around. Read more
Published 1 month ago by R. Swift
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent quality
Pure nostalgia for me and stands the test of time admirably! This series was the cutting edge of all those quirky British TV shows from the 60s and 70s. Read more
Published 2 months ago by SRD
5.0 out of 5 stars
a great set.
The remastering is excellent on this set. The show itself is a classic one in colour from the late sixties. It includes the alternate episodes and 'living in harmony'. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Michael Dobey
5.0 out of 5 stars
I am not a number
I went to Portmeirion
Came back to Newcastle and went on Amazon to buy this.
It's totally weird and psychadelic! Read more
Came back to Newcastle and went on Amazon to buy this.
It's totally weird and psychadelic! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. B. Carter
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Real Prisonee
I have this collection on video, DVD and now bluray and you are able to see it the way it was meant to be seen. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dubai fan
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