The Prisoner - Complete Series Megaset (40th Anniversary Edition)
|
List Price: Our Price: $49.99 You Save: $49.96 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $34.35 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of The Prisoner - Complete Series Megaset (40th Anniversary Edition)
Movie Review: 2007 A&E - 40th Anniversary Edition review
Summary: 5 Stars
This was released by A&E in late 2006, and is basically the same version as their previous "The Complete Prisoner Megaset/Collection" DVD release. The packaging is new(it's now in a 'thinpack' format), and there are a couple of new extras(an illustrated map of The Village and an introductory booklet/episode guide).
Movie Review: Still Number One
Summary: 5 Stars
This has been my go to title for being the all time BEST television show ever. Having not seen it in a decade, I was a little concerned that time may have weakened the premise. I am happy to say that, if anything the show is even more pertinent today. The question of identity theft and security of countries and the safety of their espionage agents or betrayal by the leaders of their governments is still in the headlines.
Relevance of subject matter aside, the show is action packed and the writing is sharp and many layered. Fans of 24 will enjoy the depth of the storyline and the original arc structure.
Don't be put off by the incongruities. Remember this was a show made in the 1960's when all phones were attached to the wall and television came in 3 maybe 4 chhannels. The prevailing wisdom then was, "Why do people need a computer at home?"
The mini-pack system of DVD's is a welcome extra for those of us who live in smaller places and need to watch the size of our DVD collections.
The extras are sometimes fun and sometimes a bit not so fun, but it is the show that stands out. If you are a fan of well scripted movies and TV this is the best. I have been saying that since I first saw the show in the 60's and after viewing the box set my opinion is still that the Prisoner is Number One.
Movie Review: EXCELLENT!
Summary: 5 Stars
I already had this series on Laser Disc but with all the extras on the DVDs the experience is now complete.
Excellent service.
Movie Review: No. 6 is No. 1
Summary: 5 Stars
Watched this as a teen when it first came out. I finally broke down and bought it.Movie Review: Even dressing is an act of defiance!
Summary: 4 Stars
So says the new number Two in an early episode of The Prisoner while watching him getting ready for a new day in the Village.
By the way the following review is for the 40th Anniversary Collectors Edition of The Prisoner.
This 10 DVD set contains many extras and they include the following:
-Rare 8mm and 16mm colour footage of The Prisoner on location in 1966
-A 50 minute special "The Prisoner Video Companion"
-the alternate version of "Chimes of Big Ben"
-rare foreign file cabinet and intro and outro footage
-all the production and series trailers
-picture galleries for all eps and for the /67 press conference
-interactive map of The Village
-lots of trivia
-a fold out map of The Village
-a wonderful interview with the production manager for the series
-and a 60 page illustrated booklet containing synopses of all the episodes plus many other bits of Prisoner patter
The only thing missing are interviews with any of the cast including Mr.McGoohan who is conspicuous by his absence but there are many quotes both visually and in print from him.
Each of the ten discs come in a slim slipcase with annotated info on each ep,behind the scene factoids and some info on the "order" debate.
With regards to the latter I would rather have had this series been released in the original order it was back in /67 than in the more fan friendly version it is in in this set(which is by no means perfect).Now,as in /67 when I first saw this series,I just considered it like a giant jigsaw puzzle.All the pieces were scattered on the table but all one had to do was put them all together and in time the picture would reveal itself.I would like to think Mr.McGoohan himself had a reason for releasing them in the manner he did.However at least they are all here for us to enjoy in any way we feel like seeing them!
The picture quality is slightly weaker on the earlier eps than in the later ones with more defects and what I like to call digital shimmering in evidence.In fact the alternate "Chimes" ep is not in good condition at all ....dirty,blemished,colour faded and a terrible sound variance.I suspect little was done to this one but it's at least fortunate that we still have it with us today for comparison purposes,if nothing else.
The show itself,as you all probably know by now,is about an agent(arguably John Drake,aka Danger/Secret Agent man) who is kidnapped and taken to a place called The Village.Here he daily undergoes physical and especially mental travails from his captors in order to extract the reason(s) for his resignation and any other pertinent information thereof.
The show delves into just about every conceivable discipline which concerns human beings in this world and their condition be it past,present or future.It was a series produced and conceived by the fertile and wonderful mind of its' star Patrick McGoohan and astoundingly much of it was filmed on the fly and brilliantly executed with his talented crew and cast members.
It's like a good book which you cannot put down for a second lest you miss some little juicy tidbit of information or special nuance or subtle sub-text.Through it all you come to question your own condition and all one takes for granted in their lives.Freedom...Reality....what are they? Who,if anyone,is working in my best interests? Who is the real enemy ?
All these questions and so many,many more are touched on throughout this rollercoaster ride with the protagonist.His search is our search and as many questions as he raises,they spawn many more.
I could go on and on but if you have not seen this series I will leave its' interpretations to you......because yours is as valid as any others.And this is what Patrick McGoohan had in mind I suspect right from the start.And this is what makes this arguably the best and smartest show ever to grace the TV airwaves.It may have debuted 40 years ago this year but it has lost NONE of its' impact or appeal.In fact I daresay it has MORE to say to us than ever before.