The Prisoner: The Complete Series (40th Anniversary Collector's Edition) (1968) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Well not exactly Patrick McGoohan's opening from The Prisoner, but it did catch your attention :-). Seriously here they are, all 17 episodes plus the Prisoner Video Companion originally offered on MCI Home Video now on DVD compliments of our good friends at A&E. What's nicer is the episodes are arranged in what the fans believe to be the chronological order of the episodes in terms of Number 6's time in the Village rather than order of original airdate (although some of them are in airdate order). As a hint at this look carefully at "The General" and "A, B and C". Both star Colin Gordon as Number 2, but in the opening for "A, B and C" he says "I am number 2" rather than "The new number 2". Also this set contains something released on video previously but only in England, a special edition of the 5th episode of the series, "The Chimes of Big Ben". Definitely the best of McGoohan's 3 British Secret Agent types series, but also the quintessential scifi series as well. By the way, a special debt of gratitude to A&E Homevideo. When this series first came out on VHS on MPI Homevideo in 1990, they made a muff in the episode "Checkmate". In the "Where am I" segment of the opening sequence it started with McGoohan doing it with the fore mentioned Colin Gordon even though Peter Wyngarde played Number 2 in this episode. By the third line "That would be telling" the tape was ok. I can't speak for the new A&E VHS copy, but on these DVDs the muff has NOT recurred. Which means either A&E acquired a better copy of the episode to restore on DVD or someone told them about the flub from 11 years ago. So kudos to A&E Video for to repairing this decade old "blooper". This 10 pack is much better buy than the 5 sets of 2 DVDs individually. Get it now, return to the Village and escape at your own pace.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Prisoner: The Complete Series (40th Anniversary Collector's Edition) (1968)

Patrick McGoohan's classic 17-episode British TV series, THE PRISONER, has been mesmerizing American viewers since its CBS debut in the summer of 1968. Now, just in time for its 40th anniversary A&E presents this definitive collector's edition of the cult classic series. Fully restored and digitally remastered, THE PRISONER is presented in the fan-preferred episode order, offering a chronological interpretation of perhaps the most unusual and challenging television series ever filmed.After resigning from a top-secret position, a man is abducted from his London home and taken to a mysterious place known only as The Village. Residents of The Village, known only by numbers, are held captive on account of their valuable knowledge. The Prisoner--Number Six--must protect his mind in order to preserve his humanity while he struggles to discover the identity of Number One and achieve freedom by escaping from the repressive grasp of his captors. Set includes all 17 complete color episodes: Arrival / Free For All / Dance of the Dead / Checkmate / The Chimes of Big Ben / A, B, and C / The General / The Schizoid Man / Many Happy Returns / It's Your Funeral / A Change of Mind / Hammer Into Anvil / Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling / Living In Harmony / The Girl Who Was Death / Once Upon a Time / Fall Out DVD Features: Ultra-rare original footage of the 1966 location shooting, accompanied by commentary with Bernie Williams; Bonus Program: THE PRISONER VIDEO COMPANION; Rare, Alternate Version of the Episode "The Chimes of Big Ben"; Rarely Seen "Foreign File Cabinet" Footage; Rarely Seen "Textless" Intro & Outro; Original Broadcast Trailers; Original Series Promotional Trailer; Gallery of Original Production and Promotional Materials; Production Stills Galleries; Interactive Map of the Village; Prisoner Trivia; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection NEW LIMITED EDITION COLLECTOR'S BOOKLET: 60 Fully Illustrated Pages; Hidden Mysteries Surrounding THE PRISONER; Complete Series Guide of All 17 Episodes; Detailed Color Fold-out Map of The Village Stills from The Prisoner: The Complete Series (Click for larger image)

Get 59% OFF

Click here for more information about The Prisoner: The Complete Series (40th Anniversary Collector's Edition) (1968)

Read More...

Secret Agent (aka Danger Man) - The Complete Collection Megaset 2007 (1965) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Don't get the other megaset confused with this one - this is the real deal. Every episode of the series is on the DVD set, not just half! The quality is great and rather compact since they used the thin cases.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Secret Agent (aka Danger Man) - The Complete Collection Megaset 2007 (1965)

Now, all 86 episodes from John Drake's entire crime-solving career are available together on DVD. Each episode of this exciting spy thriller is presented in the original broadcast order, from the original season that aired only in the U.K. as Danger Man to the 47 episodes of Secret Agent that were seen internationally, including the two color episodes that provided a vivid finale to the long-running suspense thriller.

Click here for more information about Secret Agent (aka Danger Man) - The Complete Collection Megaset 2007 (1965)

Read More...

Secret Agent AKA Danger Man: The Complete Collection (SLIMLINE) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)One year before The Avengers started avenging, and two years before Bond started claiming his extravagant living expenses, there was Danger Man.
All the usual ITC hallmarks are here, good actors, beautiful actresses and fast paced storylines.
This is the most real interpretation of spying on TV before Callan, Drake has some fancy gadgets, but nothing in the unbelievable Bond league.
Plus, the added bonus of McGoohan's smouldering personality.
Series one introduction:- "Every government has its secret service branch. America, CIA; France, Deuxième Bureau; England, MI5. NATO also has its own. A messy job? Well that's when they usually call on me or someone like me.
Oh yes, my name is Drake, John Drake".
Watch "View From the Villa" and see Portmeirion being used for the first time.
(The 30 minute series.)
Watch "Colony 3" and see where McGoohan started to formulate the idea of The Prisoner.
(The 50 minute series.)
The last two episodes made "Koroshi" and "Shinda Shima" were filmed in colour.
Drakes contact in,"Koroshi" called Potter reappears in The Prisoners,"The Girl who was Death" episode.
I can't help noticing the US theme music "Secret Agent Man" has aged worse then Edwin Astley's UK instrumental theme.
My favourite episode is the atypical episode "The Ubiquitous Mr Lovegrove", most bizarre, and refreshingly different. I think it must have influenced the writers of the Prisoner episodes "A, B & C" and "Living in Harmony".
I am aware that this show is Danger Man and not The Prisoner, but it's hard not to notice the location's, actors and director (Don Chaffey) who would also be involved with The Prisoner.
All 39 of the thirty minute episodes are here along with all 47 of the fifty minute version.
Originally aired; 1960-62 (30 min eps.), 1964-66 (50 min eps.)
Life without this collection is just too full of danger....man!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Secret Agent AKA Danger Man: The Complete Collection (SLIMLINE)

It was 1965 when American audiences first welcomed handsome secret agent John Drake (Patrick McGoohan of The Prisoner) into their homes as CBS ran the unique spy series known as Secret Agent. Wielding brains and a moral outlook instead of weapons, Drake traveled to the corners of the globe on the trail of international criminals, corrupt politicians, and stolen secrets.Now, all 86 episodes from John Drakes entire crime-solving career are available together on DVD. Each episode of this exciting spy thriller is presented in the original broadcast order, from the original season that aired only in the U.K. as Danger Man to the 47 episodes of Secret Agent that were seen internationally, including the two color episodes that provided a vivid finale to the long-running suspense thriller.

Get 60% OFF

Click here for more information about Secret Agent AKA Danger Man: The Complete Collection (SLIMLINE)

Read More...

The Prisoner: The Complete Series (1968) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Well not exactly Patrick McGoohan's opening from The Prisoner, but it did catch your attention :-). Seriously here they are, all 17 episodes plus the Prisoner Video Companion originally offered on MCI Home Video now on DVD compliments of our good friends at A&E. What's nicer is the episodes are arranged in what the fans believe to be the chronological order of the episodes in terms of Number 6's time in the Village rather than order of original airdate (although some of them are in airdate order). As a hint at this look carefully at "The General" and "A, B and C". Both star Colin Gordon as Number 2, but in the opening for "A, B and C" he says "I am number 2" rather than "The new number 2". Also this set contains something released on video previously but only in England, a special edition of the 5th episode of the series, "The Chimes of Big Ben". Definitely the best of McGoohan's 3 British Secret Agent types series, but also the quintessential scifi series as well. By the way, a special debt of gratitude to A&E Homevideo. When this series first came out on VHS on MPI Homevideo in 1990, they made a muff in the episode "Checkmate". In the "Where am I" segment of the opening sequence it started with McGoohan doing it with the fore mentioned Colin Gordon even though Peter Wyngarde played Number 2 in this episode. By the third line "That would be telling" the tape was ok. I can't speak for the new A&E VHS copy, but on these DVDs the muff has NOT recurred. Which means either A&E acquired a better copy of the episode to restore on DVD or someone told them about the flub from 11 years ago. So kudos to A&E Video for to repairing this decade old "blooper". This 10 pack is much better buy than the 5 sets of 2 DVDs individually. Get it now, return to the Village and escape at your own pace.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Prisoner: The Complete Series (1968)

Since its CBS debut in the summer of 1968, the masterful British TV series THE PRISONER has captivated American audiences. Now A&E presents a definitive aficionado's edition of the cult classic which is considered one of the most innovative TV series ever filmed, for the first time in breathtaking Blu-Ray. Fully restored from the original film elements with newly remixed 5.1 surround sound and featuring hours of bonus material never released in North America, THE PRISONER: BLU-RAY EDITION is a fitting tribute to the creative vision of the late Executive Producer and Star Patrick McGoohan.
After resigning from a top-secret position, a man (McGoohan) is abducted and spirited from his London home to a mysterious place known only as 'The Village.' Village Residents, known only by numbers, are held captive because each possesses valuable knowledge. The Prisoner, now known as Number Six, battles to protect his mind -- and his humanity -- while struggling to discover the identity of Number One and escape captivity.

Get 66% OFF

Click here for more information about The Prisoner: The Complete Series (1968)

Read More...

Danger Man - The Complete First Season (1961) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Recently, I received these DVDs from another source and I would like to strongly encourage all fans of the hour long Danger Man shows and The Prisoner to consider this set. First of all, the transfer is exceptional. The shows are remarkably clear in their black and white format. There is no fuzziness that I could see. Also, the half hour format suits the show well. The stories are as well plotted as the hour long show, just faster paced. And then there's the music. I actually perfer the score of the half hour shows to the score of the hour long programs. The music in these programs remind me of the type of music you would hear in the old series Peter Gunn, and anyone who is fortunate enough to have seen that series knows how much the music contributed to the overall effect of the show. Finally, the writing of the show is very strong. Of the twenty stories that I have viewed at the time of this review, only one stood out in my mind as a bit disappointing. That's a pretty good record for a weekly series.
But what I think may be of most interest for fans of this series is Patrick MacGoohan. There is no question what an exceptional actor he is and that would be reason enough to buy this set. However, the John Drake of this show is slightly different than the one in the hour long programs. To me, he seems almost optimistic. I realize this is an odd word to use when referring to this series, but the impression is given that Drake really believes in his missions and that he is on the side of right. In the hour long show, Drake comes off more world weary, more cynical and a bit disillusioned. By the time he becomes The Prisoner (and we know it is him-who else could it be?) his faith in the morality of the political system has collasped completely. For after all, Drake is an extremely moral person, which is one of the elements that make him so fascinating to watch. It might be interesting for new viewers to start with the half hour series, go to the hour long shows, and then end the journey with The Prisoner. No doubt it will give them considerable food for thought.
Though at the end of the day, one has to ask: Are these half hour shows entertaining? And the answer is: extremely so. I think you will be pleasantly surprised on how well the show was written, directed, and acted. I just hope everyone who buys this set enjoys it as much as I have!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Danger Man - The Complete First Season (1961)

In a world where a careless word can undo years of work and the slightest misstep can prove fatal, John Drake is without peer. A lone operative working for a top-secret NATO office, he travels the globe bringing international villains to justice and defusing explosive situations with unshakable aplomb. The precursor to Secret Agent, DANGER MAN set the standard to which all spy shows aspire. It also defied the conventions of the genre with a hero (The Prisoner's Patrick McGoohan) who fights only as a last resort and never lets temptation distract him from the mission at hand. Now, all 39 episodes of the groundbreaking series are available on DVD for the first time, remastered, restored and presented in their original UK broadcast order.System Requirements:In a world where a careless word can undo years of work and the slightest misstep can prove fatal, John Drake is without peer. A lone operative working for a top-secret NATO office, he travels the globe bringing international villains to justice and defusing explosive situations with unshakable aplomb. The precursor to Secret Agent, DANGER MAN set the standard to which all spy shows aspire. It also defied the conventions of the genre with a hero (The Prisoner's Patrick McGoohan) who fights only as a last resort and never lets temptation distract him from the mission at hand. Now, all 39 episodes of the groundbreaking series are available on DVD for the first time, remastered, restored and presented in their original UK broadcast order.

Click here for more information about Danger Man - The Complete First Season (1961)

Read More...