The Prisoner Volume 1 - Arrival

I was extremely excited when I received word that I was reviewing the first instalment of the long-awaited DVD releases of classic television series The Prisoner... I must confess to always having had a huge crush on Joan "The Freak" Ferguson. Imagine my shock when I opened up the envelope to discover that it was actually some old British spy show, with nary a stingy jail cell, mangy female inmate or conniving warden in sight!

But seriously... The Prisoner is one of those sixties British cult series' that, along with The Avengers, The Persuaders, Thunderbirds and Doctor Who, is compelling proof that They Sure Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To. I must warn you that I am an absolute nut for all things British, sixties, spy-related or cultish, so if you're looking for an objective review, look elsewhere.

The premise: a high ranking government intelligence agent resigns from his post for reasons unknown. He is abducted from his home and taken to a picturesque setting known only as "The Village." It's a beautiful little township with a very dark underbelly.

All of the residents of The Village are referred to only by number (our hero is Number 6). Escape from The Village is impossible, blocked by sea and guarded by a collection of bizarre, sentient "bubbles" that render any would-be absconder unconscious as effectively as, say, a Tom Green movie.

Number 6 is infuriated by the politeness and civility of his captors, and frustrated by his inability to distinguish them from his fellow prisoners (many of whom seem quite content with their insulated lifestyles). But soon he begins to learn how to twist their mind games around as he struggles to keep from them the secret that they so urgently need him to reveal: exactly why did he quit?

There are four 50 minute episodes on this DVD...

Arrival sets the scene as our hero is abducted and introduced to The Village.

The Chimes of Big Ben sees Number 6 meet an attractive Russian spy, with whom he plans an ingenious escape.

In A, B, C & D, the captors use mind control in an attempt to uncover Number 6's secret.

And Free For All sees Number 6 stand as a candidate in a local election.

For a sixties TV show, this is a really fine looking picture. Colours and shadows are good, with only the occasional telecine wobble and an abundance of MPEG artefacts marring the image... and even they're not at all distracting.

This is a Dolby Digital stereo release - not mono, as the box incorrectly states - but as it was taken from a mono source, there's not a heck of a lot of aural excitement going down. But it's as clear as a bell and does everything that is required of it.

Four original episode trailers and a series trailer are supplied for those with an interest in such things. They're not particularly exciting, and exhibit pretty terrible video quality.

There's almost nine minutes of original production footage that is composed of mute 8mm behind-the-scenes film of cast and crew standing around between takes. Of interest to rabid fans only.

The rare alternative opening credits is a slightly re-jigged version of... aww, you guessed! Again, worthwhile for the obsessed aficionado only.

A very interesting booklet gives us all sorts of behind-the-scenes information as well as a map of The Village. A thoughtful inclusion.

The rare textless opening titles & closing credits are for the most hardcore of the hardcore. Honestly, who needs this stuff?

Named after The Village's newspaper, the Tally Ho photo gallery is a decent (if small) collection of miscellaneous pics.

There are also actor profiles for the five actors who filled the constantly changing role of Number 2 (the central "villain") throughout these four episodes.

The Prisoner is a surreal, intelligent and well acted British drama, with clever and ambiguous storylines that have earned it a cult following over thirty years since its original broadcast. It can be enjoyed at face value, or deconstructed and analysed as a metaphorical fable dealing with class, politics and other issues. And it's got spies 'n' gadgets too. Addictive viewing... bring on the next four volumes!