The Prisoner busts out in Blu-ray

Disc Announcements, News

There are few TV shows that define cult on the level of The Prisoner. When a spy unexpectedly resigns, he’s kidnapped and taken to a remote village. They want to know why he quit. Each episode demonstrates a new way to break a man’s will. Patrick McGoohan had just finished playing a spy on Danger Man so this new series was almost an extension of that character. Now you can get a better view of this mystery with new High-Def transfers with upcoming Blu-ray releases. Here’s the press release from A&E Home Entertainment:

THIS OCTOBER, A&E HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES THE
ULTIMATE VERSION OF THE DEFINITIVE CULT CLASSIC
THE PRISONER
BLU-RAY EDITION
IN STORES OCTOBER 27

The Prisoner_BD

A&E Has Partnered with Network DVD to Deliver the Completely Restored Series, Presented in High Definition Blu-Ray and 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound For the First Time; Hours of Brand New Bonus Materials Include the Exclusive “Making-Of” Featurette “Don’t Knock Yourself Out”, Audio Commentaries, Original Scripts for Each Episode and Much More!

NEW YORK, NY – When THE PRISONER made its U.S debut in the summer of ’68 on CBS, it was immediately apparent that Patrick McGoohan’s innovative series was one of the most fascinating and thought-provoking programs to ever hit the airwaves. Over four decades later, the 17-episode British cult classic has solidified its spot as one of TV’s most enduring masterpieces. This October, A&E Home Entertainment has partnered with the Network DVD to deliver the definitive version of this definitive cult classic with THE PRISONER BLU-RAY EDITION. Featuring a complete high definition restoration, sound re-mix and hours of stunning extras never before seen stateside, the Blu-Ray ($99.95 SRP), streeting just prior to the premiere of the highly anticipated reinterpretation of THE PRISONER (starring James Caviezel and Ian McKellen) on AMC, is certain to continue to mesmerize viewing audiences and build on its place as one of television’s most dramatic achievements.

Befitting this groundbreaking series, THE PRISONER BLU-RAY EDITION features a singular collection of rare bonus programming – much of it never before released in North America, including:

  • “Don’t Knock Yourself Out” – This exclusive, feature-length documentary is the definitive look at the production of THE PRISONER, told by those involved in its creation. It includes a combination of archive and newly-filmed interviews with nearly 400 people, including Amette Andre, Bernard Williams, David Tomblin, Derren Nesbitt, Peter Wyngarde, Anton Rodgers, Michael Grade, George Baker and Peter Bowles.
  • Additional Featurettes – In “The Pink Prisoner,” Peter Wyngarde pays tribute to the series in this unique cross between an interview and comedy sketch; In “You Make Sure it Fits,” music editor Eric Mival discusses his role behind the scenes in making THE PRISONER and provides a unique look at the Music Bible for the show.
  • Newly restored original edit of “Arrival” with an optional music-only soundtrack featuring Wilfred Josephs’ complete and abandoned score; original edit of the episode “The Chimes of Big Ben.”
  • Production crew audio commentaries on seven episodes
  • Image Archive – Individual galleries of over 1200 stills are featured throughout this set, including episodic shots, generic/PR Photos, coverage of the original Press Conference in 1967 and Jack Shampan’s designs.
  • Archive material which includes textless titles with clean themes by Ron Grainer, Wilfred Josephs, and Robert Farnon, as well as material from Rover, Foreign ‘Filing Cabinet’ title footage and the McGoohan photo montage from “Arrival.”
  • Production Paperwork Archive – Original scripts for each episode, along with other rarely-seen production documentation, press releases, call sheets and other memorabilia. This unique collection is sourced from the personal archives of Tony Sloman, Steven Ricks, and Simon Coward and is reproduced here with their permission and assistance. (DVD-ROM Feature)
  • Exposure strips gallery; commercial break bumpers; trailers for all episodes
  • Preview of AMC’s “The Prisoner” mini-series remake

THE PRISONER starred the late, multi-talented McGoohan (who also created and produced the series, as well as wrote and directed many of the episodes), as a man who, after retiring from a top-secret government job, is abducted from his London home. Eventually he finds himself in a peaceful village that, in reality, is quite sinister: people are brought there against their will, in order to have their valuable knowledge protected or “extracted.” Known only as Number Six (everyone in the Village is assigned a number), THE PRISONER struggles to keep his information from his captors, discover who can and can’t be trusted and, ultimately, how to escape.

Combining spy fiction with elements of science fiction, allegory, and psychological drama, the show’s combination of ’60s countercultural themes and surreal setting had a far-reaching effect on science fiction/fantasy programming, and on popular culture in general. And although its run only lasted for 17 hour-long episodes, the impact of the revolutionary program continues to be felt to this day. THE PRISONER: BLU-RAY EDITION is both a fitting tribute to the creative genius of “Number Six” himself and the definitive edition of the program, certain to introduce a new generation of fans to its incomparable charms.

THE PRISONER: BLU RAY EDITION
Genre: Cult Classic TV
Street date: October 27, 2009
SRP: $99.95
Running Time: 14 hrs, 44 min. + extras
Format: Blu-Ray/5 Discs

Pre-order it today at Available at Amazon.com

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.