Patrick McGoohan did a lot more than just create "The Prisoner," but that alone would be plenty for most lifetimes. The actor and writer died the other day in Los Angeles. He was 80.
The British series, which first confused and delighted viewers in 1967 and '68, enjoys a "Star Trek"-like following of those dedicated to its rat's nest of mysteries and intrigues.
"The Prisoner" tells of a secret agent (McGoohan) who resigns in anger, then finds himself velvet-coffined in a Kafkaesque seaside resort where people are known only by their numbers. Escapees are hunted down by what seems to be a giant marshmallow.
"I am not a number!" our man bellows. "I am a free man!" Well, sort of.
The good news is the surreal spy series "The Prisoner" is out there complete, in a big DVD box set from A&E Home Video.
(McGoohan's earlier "Secret Agent" series also was released by the label.)
"The Prisoner" seems to have survived in good shape. A transfer to Blu-ray would be sensational given the show's imaginative and odd colorful sets and costumes, as well as its gorgeous seaside locations.
Update: Patrick McGoohan's "The Prisoner" is due in the Blu-ray format on Oct. 27, 2009.
There have been two A&E releases of the cult favorite on DVD: five volumes in 2000/2001 and "The Prisoner: 40th Anniversary Collector's Edition)
" with all 17 hourlong episodes in 2006.
" with all 17 hourlong episodes in 2006. The '06 version is mostly a repackaging of the earlier set.
A&E dumped the clamshells for slim cases, and threw in a map of the Village and a nicely done 60-page episode guide. "The Prisoner" sets' numerous but mostly unexceptional extras were ported over.
I heard from one "Prisoner" expert and hardcore fan, who said he was in possession of various rare and cool materials but couldn't get them into the rerelease.
Here's hoping for release No. 3.
Thanks, Doc, for noting the passing of Patrick McGoohan. It took the U.S. media a good 24 hours to acknowledge this story. "The Prisoner" is seminal, "Secret Agent" is a forgotten treasure and McGoohan's appearances on "Columbo" memorable. DVDs are available of each and are worth everyone's time.
Posted by: Sports Couch Potato | January 17, 2009 at 07:46 PM
Yes, thanks for noting the passing of Patrick McGoohan.
By the way, the 10 disc PRISONER 40th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION DVD Set from A&E contains the same mediocre-quality prints re-boxed.
FAR SUPERIOR is the 7-disc Prisoner Set, completely remastered from 35mm original negatives, and with some newly added special features, but so far only released in 2008 for Region 2 in the UK.
Does anyone know of plans to release it in a Region 1 edition?
Posted by: Steve Donoso | January 24, 2009 at 02:00 PM