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review by Ronnie Soo
Webmaster writes: The following reviews relate to the earlier Carlton releases of the Prisoner in the UK.
Since the merger with Granada there has been a subsequent reissue of the complete series plus the 35th anniversary disc, in 'digipak' packaging.
Click here to see this version. However the discs themselves are from the same source, therefore these reviews remain relevant.
The recent DVD reissue of the Prisoner by Carlton went down very well with
most fans; the crystal clear pictures astounded those of us who were previously used to
the 16mm versions on earlier video releases. Following on from that and to
commemorate the 35th anniversary of the series, Carlton have issued this
special DVD. They have made the strange decision to use a shot of a
confetti-covered PMcG from “Free For All”; strange in that the featured
episode is the series opener, “Arrival”! The main attraction for diehard
Priz fans has to be the inclusion of the ‘alternative’ Arrival; a
pre-broadcast edit which was transmitted on some smaller TV stations in
the USA, and until now has been seen
only by a very select few. The version used on this DVD was taped on an early video recorder and in the
absence of the 16mm master, is the best copy known to be available.
Unsurprisingly the quality of the picture is less than stunning; the fact
that the standard (digitally restored) version of “Arrival” is also
included on the disc only emphasises the poor picture from what looks like
at least a third generation video copy.
Unlike the ‘alternative’ Chimes, there is no extra scene to be left out of
the final broadcast, rather there are several minor differences; for
example the taxi ride scene lasts a little longer, with a small amount of
extra dialogue between No. 6 and the driver (Barbara Yu Ling). Another
significant difference is in Rover’s first appearance at the piazza; in
this version nobody is smothered, something which always bothered me about
the ‘official’ version! You had to have VERY sharp eyes to spot the fight
in the piazza which can be the only reason for the attack by Rover. When
No. 6 is recaptured at the end of the episode, you see a little more of
him being shepherded back to the Village by Rover and you even see him
take a tumble! The theme music (by Wilfred Josephs) is similar to the
‘alternative’ Chimes, as are the closing sequences but at the end you see
the penny farthing encapsulating the Earth and the Universe in its wheels,
rather than the ‘POP’ logo of Chimes. The famous ‘roar’ of Rover is
absent, the sound effect is mainly dominated by what appears to be
breathing noise from a deep sea diver and they clearly hadn’t settled on a
menacing enough sound yet!
Also included on the DVD are several ‘extras’; there is a still images
gallery featuring pictures from all 17 episodes, an episode guide included
in the accompanying booklet, illustrated biographies of PMcG and script
editor George Markstein, an interview with production manager Bernard
Williams, and a short feature on Prisoner Memorabilia featuring two
collectors who will be recognised immediately by Prisoner fans. This is
spoiled somewhat by two things: firstly the feature is obviously at least
a decade old and secondly, the voice-over person insists on bellowing “We
Want Information!” at every given opportunity – hackneyed is the
appropriate term here! Other nice extras include the Renault 21 car advert
dating from 1989, filmed in and around Portmeirion and with a “Prisoner”
theme, and the animated advert break ‘bumpers’ last used by Channel 4
during their transmission of the series.
In conclusion then, despite the fact a lot of effort went into making a
‘package’ for the fans with some nice extras, this DVD is really only
worth getting if you must have the ‘alternative’ Arrival . Carlton can
bank on the knowledge that most of us will feel that way of course, and so
I expect the 35th Anniversary Prisoner Companion DVD will sell very well.
For a more
detailed review of the "Alternative Arrival" episode
click HERE.
the Prisoner
DVD boxed set
review by Alan Jones
OK.... I was delighted decades ago when it was announced that Channel 5
video were bringing out the Prisoner on tape and I patiently collected the
entire series, travelling far and wide to find them.
Then
when Polygram also brought out the series on video later on, I bought the
boxed set despite the flimsy bit of card that
it was wrapped in compared with the sturdy packaging we had seen in the promotional material. By the
time Carlton issued the remastered tapes, I’d lost interest and, although
I appreciated their much better quality, I vowed that it was one set of
Prisoner videos too many and left them on the shop shelf.
Well, now you can buy the entire series either as five separate DVDs or as
a boxed set (see above). This time the set comes in a proper thick card
box and the quality of each episode is brilliant! Quite simply, this is
the way to watch the Prisoner. Yeah, there are loads of other goodies on
each DVD. Sure there is a section on each Number Two. Of course, you can
watch your favourite sections over and over again but let’s ignore all the
gimmicks for a second (yes, I know I’m usually the first to go for techy,
gimmicky stuff)..... Just watch and enjoy each episode with perfect
clarity of picture and sound. Buy now. It’s superb! (advertisement over).
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