"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered. My life is my own." Of all the British spy shows of the last half century, there is little doubt that "The Prisoner" is one of the most talked about even today. Since its premiere on ITV1 back in 1967, this enigmatic series has been the subject of debate, not only for the average fan, but for academics the world over. Watching the series, viewers are faced with innumerable questions and rarely any answers. Everything you see and hear contains riddles upon riddles, and every scene presents a challenge. I was first introduced to the series back in the late 1970's and was immediately sucked into the psychological tactics that were used on the residents of 'The Village', as well as the physicality of the camouflaged prison. Lurking somewhere in the background was a huge story who's surface was merely scratched in the 17 episodes that were produced.

But I think I'm getting ahead of myself here. Allow me to fill you in on the few facts of the series that are immutable.

"The Prisoner" starred Patrick McGoohan as a British spy who chooses to 'leave the firm' as it were. He no longer wants the excitement that comes with espionage, so he strolls into his office and delivers the news. Initially, his resignation appears to be accepted, though grudgingly. However, he is followed home, knocked unconscious and wakes up to find himself in a tranquil village. Undaunted, he attempts to learn his location and finds that he can neither leave nor contact anyone on the outside. Upon further investigation, he learns that all of the other 'residents' of The Village are referred to by a number and are not allowed to use names. His number… is Six.

Refusing to be 'a number', each episode finds Six (this is all we ever hear him referred to as) trying to unlock the mysteries of The Village, its inhabitants and its architects. He is also determined to escape. Unfortunately, any time he even gets close to escaping the confines of The Village, he is tracked and trapped by an enormous white ball which returns him.

What made this series so interesting was in the way all the events are portrayed. A good portion of the time you find yourself wondering if Six is merely dreaming is experiences, having some sort of hallucinatory reaction to his imprisonment, or is really and truly in a real village. I was also drawn in by the exquisite dialogue throughout the run of the series. Every time I would watch an episode, I would catch something different. Sometimes it was in something that was said, other times it would be in the way it was said. There are lines of dialogue that, when you pay attention to the inflection, mean something entirely different.

In the past, I could only visit the series through a set of tapes I made about 20 years ago. Back in 2001 A&E released a Megaset collection of "The Prisoner", but it was a little too pricey to add to my collection. (Though it would have been worth every penny.) Fortunately, for those of you who waited (like me…) A&E is releasing an all-new Megaset 40th Anniversary Edition with e few upgrades. The most noticeable of these is that they opted to use the new slim cases, which allows for a smaller box to hold them. Smaller box equals less shelf space. This I applaud.

As for the episode themselves, the transfer that A&E provides is breathtaking. They are so clear and clean of blemishes, you might believe they were filmed only a few days ago. I understand these are the same transfers used for the previous set, but I cannot say for certain. Either way, these discs look terrific.

As for extra features, there are some alternate title sequences, an alternate version of "The Chimes of Big Ben", original footage of some of the location shoot with commentary by Bernie Williams (the show's production manager), and other reportedly rare footage. There is also a bonus program called 'The Prisoner Video Companion', which delves a little deeper into the mythos surrounding the series. Add to this some original broadcast and promotional trailers and several photo galleries, you have just about everything you could hope for in the way of "The Prisoner" lore.

But two of the coolest additions are a 60 page companion guide, with tons of liner notes and illustrations and a foldout map of The Village. All we need is a full size blow up replica of the big white ball and I think all would be well in the world of "Prisoner" fans.

If you happen to be totally into the series, you might know that one of the biggest mysteries surrounding it was the identity of Number Six. His name is never mentioned in the show, but there are those who believe it was the character of John Drake that McGoohan originated in the earlier "Danger Man" and "Secret Agent Man" series. In interviews, McGoohan vehemently denies it, but supposedly there are clues peppered through the series that allude to his being Drake. Outside of the series, the co-creator and writer of 'The Prisoner", George Markstein, has often been quoted in interviews that Six was, indeed, Drake.

Anyhow, I recommend this set to die hard "Prisoner" fans out there. But not to be left out, I recommend it to anyone who wants to watch television that is challenging and though-provoking.

Episodes:
Arrival
The Chimes of Big Ben
A, B and C
Free For All
The Schizoid Man
The General
Many Happy Returns
Dance of the Dead
Checkmate
Hammer into Anvil
It's Your Funeral
A Change of Mind
Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling
Living In Harmony
The Girl Who was Death
Once Uponm a Time
Fall Out

Starring: Patrick McGoohan
Extras: New 60-page Limited Edition series companion guide, fully illustrated with extensive episode guides and complete with liner notes detailing the many hidden mysteries behind the series, plus a new, deluxe fold-out map of The Village, 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
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: A&E
Release Date: 7/25/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give The Prisoner: 40th Anniversary Megaset an A+.