The Prisoner DVD Review

The Prisoner DVD is a six-hour TV miniseries from AMC, distributed by Warner Home Video, and directed by Nick Hurran. It is a reinterpreation of the 1960s British cult hit series that starred co-creator Patrick McGoohan. The show centers on Six (Jim Caviezel of The Passion of the Christ), a man who finds himself trapped in ‘The Village’ with no memory of how he arrived.

Throughout the series (actually less than 5 hours on DVD), Six explores his environment in which fellow inhabitants are known by a number instead of a conventional name. No one recalls a previous existence and all are under constant surveillance thanks to the direction of Two (two-time Oscar nominee Ian McKellen of Lord of the Rings). Two is the name given to ‘The Village’ leader.

Six experiences constant flashbacks and memories fragments that help him, and the audience, piece together the story in The Prisoner. This gives the series a feel that is somewhat similar to the popular ABC show “Lost”. It is also similarly difficult to put the pieces together and understand the nature of the story. However, the simple concept is a sort of ‘Big Brother’ setting in which citizens are effectively programmed to live according to well-defined standards and expectations.

Six is smarter than the average villager and understand there has to be more out there and his whole existence is committed to an escape – something that does not draw favor from Two, or the others in his life that are concerned for his well-being due to his rogue behavior.

Fans of sci-fi and fantasy would appreciate The Prisoner.  It is something that you almost have to watch straight through, despite the lengthy timeframe, in order to keep up with what is going on.  Perhaps fans of “Lost” might say the same thing when that show is realeased in entirety on DVD.  The breaks between following the story might be part of what makes these types of shows difficult to follow over time.

Jim Caviezel is always excellent despite his limited array of films and roles based on personal preferences.  Ian McKellen is brilliant in an antagonist role.  Do not try to read more into The Prisoner than there is.  To do so would drive you crazy and be a never-ending pursuit.  It is pure sci-fi fantasy but there is a very poignant message that, if you understand it, is enough of a ‘take away’ to make the show entertaining.

Special features in The Prisoner DVD include:

• Unaired Scenes
• Commentaries on 2 Key Episodes
• Beautiful Prison: The World of The Prisoner
• A 6-Hour Film Shot in 92 Days: The Diary of The Prisoner
• The Prisoner Comic-Con Panel
• The Man Behind “2″ – Jamie Campbell Bower Interviews Sir Ian McKellen

MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 288 Minutes
DVD Release Date: March 23, 2010

Director: Nick Hurran
Starring: Ian McKellen, Jim Caviezel, Hayley Atwell, Ruth Wilson, Lennie James, Jeffrey R. Smith, Vincent Regan, Sara Stewart, Rachael Blake, Jamie Campbell Bower

The Prisoner DVD Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

Tags: The Prisoner, The Prisoner DVD