DVD Review: The Prisoner

Doug Nye - Mclatchy -Tribune News Service

'The Prisoner' Tops Short List of Blu-ray Releases

A television cult classic, "The Prisoner" (A&E, 1968, $99.95), leads this week's new titles arriving on the DVD Blu-ray high-definition format.

Although many classify "The Prisoner" as science fiction, the British series could also fall into the categories of psychological drama, social commentary, mystery thriller and biting satire. It is quite unlike any show that has ever been on television.

Patrick McGoohan stars as a British secret agent who suddenly walks into the office, slams down his credentials and quits. He's obviously tired of it all and is looking forward to a lengthy vacation. Only a few minutes after leaving, he is kidnapped and taken to "The Village," which appears on the surface to be an idyllic community.

He soon discovers it is a bizarre prison where others have been brought and assigned numbers. He is known simply as Number Six. The only person who seems to be in charge is Number Two, who has Number Six brought to him periodically for questioning. Number Two is very interested in how much information Number Six has stored up during his years as an agent.

Who is behind this strange setup? Is it a foreign government trying to uncover British secrets? Or is it the British government itself trying to keep Number Six from telling anyone on the outside what he knows? He never seems to find out any answers - only more questions.

Number Six spends much of his time during each episode attempting to discover a way to escape and also puzzling over a giant wobbly (and sometimes deadly) sphere often seen floating around The Village. All of it makes for a fascinating venture into a strange world that, by the way, looks and sounds first-rate on Blu-ray.

The five-disc, 17-episode set includes three hours of extras including "Don't Knock Yourself Out" about the production of "The Prisoner."

Highly recommended.

Other Blu-ray releases:

"Ice Age III: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" (20th Century Fox, 2009, $39.99): Ray Romano is back as the voice of Manny who, along with his herd, discover a lost world of dinosaurs who are more funny than ferocious. Meanwhile, Scrat falls for a beauty named Scratte. But will he give up her acorn for her? It's enjoyable nutty fun. Also included are regular DVD and digital copies of the film. Recommended.

"Stargate: 15th Anniversary Edition" (Lionsgate, 1994, $29.99): Kurt Russell stars in this sci-fi film about the discovery of a mysterious structure deep in the sands of Egypt. It's taken years, but scientists have finally figured out that it's a doorway to another planet thousands of light years away. Russell leads a team through the doorway to discover what's on that world. The movie spawned the popular TV series "Stargate SG-1."

"Battlestar Galactica: The Plan" (Universal, 2009, $39.98): This story is told from the viewpoint of the Cylons, whose goal is to wipe out all of humanity. Among those from the recent of television series appearing in the film are James Edward Olmos, Dean Stockwell, Tricia Helfer, Callum Keith Rennie and Grace Park.

"Orphan" (Warner, 2009, $35.99): Esther, a young orphan, is adopted by John and Kate (Peter Sarsgaard and Vera Farmiga), who intend to shower her with love. But soon after Esther's arrival in their home, strange and disturbing things begin to happen. As the incidents continue, Kate begins to suspect that Esther is somehow causing them. Kate also fears that things are going to get even worse.

"Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure" (Walt Disney, 2009, $39.99): It's autumn as the fairies on the mainland begin changing the leaves to a variety of beautiful colors. Tinker Bell has been called to Pixie Hollow to make sure its supply of pixie dust is restored. Accidentally, Tinker Bell puts Pixie Hollow in danger and is forced to set out on a secret quest to make things right.

"Whatever Works" (Sony, 2009, $39.95): Larry David stars as retired nuclear physicist Boris Yellnikoff, who hangs out at a coffee show with his old buddies. One day, Boris starts talking to the camera, i.e. the audience. His friends think he's gone bonkers. Into Boris' life comes Melody St. Ann Celestine (Evan Rachel Wood), who believes he is as great as he says he is. The funny film was directed by Woody Allen.

"Expedition Africa" (A&E, 2009, $39.98): Four modern-day explorers follow the journey made by Henry Morton Stanley and his famous search for Dr. David Livingstone in the heart of Africa. The explorers use only a compass, maps and Stanley's journals to try to complete the mission while facing the many dangers of the African landscape. The beautiful scenery is awesome on Blu-ray. The two-disc set includes all eight episodes chronicling the trek.

"Night of the Creeps: Director's Cut" (Sony, 1986, $24.95): In 1959, a couple sees a strange object land on Earth. The boy goes to investigate and swallows an alien slug that shoots out of the object. In 1986, the boy's frozen body is discovered. After thawing out, it comes to life and soon slithering "creeps" are moving across the land.

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