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
Thanks to Network's fresh and vastly improved edition 'The Prisoner' can journey happily into the future.
When enigmatic school master James Wallraven (Michael Redgrave, Time Without Pity) rents a small room adjacent to Wanda's (Bette Davis, The Nanny), an ageing cellist, he soon realises that the privacy he seeks is clearly unattainable. From there begins a parade of revolving doors through which the occupants of this seedy West London boarding house a sleazy young musician (Alexis Kanner, Goodbye Gemini), a snooping landlady (Kay Walsh, The Rainbow Jacket) all seemingly stuck in purgatories of their own making, desperately attempt to find their place in a tainted society. Featuring a pair of screen legends and based on the stage play The Cellist by Marion Hart, Connecting Rooms is presented on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK, and is accompanied by a wealth of archival extras, including a rare recording of Bette Davis in conversation, and two short films by director Franklin Gollings. Product Features 4K restoration Original mono audio The John Player Lecture with Bette Davis (1976): archival interview with the iconic performer, recorded at London's National Film Theatre Spotlight at the Fair (1951): documentary short directed by Franklin Gollings, taking a look at travelling fairs and the amusement park at Blackpool The Way to Wimbledon (1952): documentary short directed by Gollings and narrated by John Mills, focusing on the fifty weeks in a year when Wimbledon isn't hosting the world-famous tennis championships Image gallery: promotional and publicity material New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Laura Mayne, an archival production report on the making of the film, an archival interview with director Franklin Gollings, an overview of contemporary critical responses, new writing on the short films, and film credits UK premiere on Blu-ray Limited edition of 3,000 copies All extras subject to change
Fifty years on from its first UK broadcast, The Prisoner remains as fresh and dynamic as when it was first unleashed upon an unsuspecting world in 1967. This set presents the complete series, stunningly restored, together with a wealth of new special features.
This playboy has killer instincts! Set in London during the swinging 60's this sly action thriller stars Roger Moore as a hip young professional who gets mixed up in some underworld affairs. Working with beautiful model Marla Kugash (Claudie Lange) on a big new campaign suave advertising executive Gary Fenn (Moore) is living theigood life. But the good life turns bad when someone tries to kill Marla and frame him for murder! Suddenly on the run with thugs and the police in
The most famous the most acclaimed and the most intriguing of all classic television thrillers starring Patrick McGoohan as a man with no name but with only a number.... Number Six. Trapped in an inescapable village Number Six is discovering that life is a battle with the ever-changing Number Two and that there may never be an end to the nightmare. Episode 17 - Fall Out: The Prisoner has won he has earned the rights to be an individual and not a number. The Alternate Chimes Of Big Ben: This is the USA press release version of The Chimes Of Big Ben with alternative opening and closing credits different theme music and different scenes. The Prisoner Companion: This US produced documentary tries to explain the many unanswered question posed throughout the short series.
Gerry Anderson's classic sci-fi series. The operatives of the secret Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation (S.H.A.D.O.) defend the earth from extra-terrestrials who are abducting humans to obtain their organs which can be transplanted into their own bodies... Episodes include: Sub-smash The Sound Of Silence The Cat With Ten Lives
Please wait. Loading...
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy