NETWORKING THE PRISONER

As has been mentioned previously, Network DVD are releasing a special 40th Anniversary box set of "The Prisoner" in October 2007. Whilst there have been several previous DVD releases for the series, this is the only one which could be described as definitive in the true sense of the word.



As outlined at a special presentation at PM2007, the set is packed with extras including 7 exclusive audio commentaries, a new 90-minute documentary, unseen behind the scenes footage, and a remastered "Alternative Arrival". The set also boasts the highest quality of any release due to restoration work done by Network.

To coincide with the release, there will also be a special screening at the NFT2 of both "Many Happy Returns" and the new documentary on Sunday October 6th at 2.00pm. For more details visit the events page.

You can see here the difference in quality between the Umbrella DVD set (the previous best set in terms of picture quality) and the newly restored episode from Network.

The Network images are on the left, the Umbrella on the right!

Here is what you can expect from the set in terms of SPECIAL FEATURES:

Don’t Knock Yourself Out
This exclusive, feature-length documentary is the definitive look at the production of The Prisoner, told by those involved in its creation. It includes a combination of archive and newly-filmed interviews with nearly 40 people, including Annette Andre, Bernard Williams, David Tomblin, Derren Nesbitt, Peter Wyngarde, Anton Rodgers, Michael Grade, George Baker and Peter Bowles.

Audio Commentaries
• Audio Commentary on Arrival with Bernie Williams and Tony Sloman
• Audio Commentary on The Chimes of Big Ben with Vincent Tilsley
• Audio Commentary on The Schizoid Man with Pat Jackson
• Audio Commentary on The General with Peter Graham Scott
• Audio Commentary on Dance of the Dead with Bernie Williams, Tony Sloman and John S. Smith
• Audio Commentary on A Change of Mind with Roger Parkes
• Audio Commentary on Fall Out with Eric Mival and Noreen Ackland

Arrival and The Chimes of Big Ben - Original Edits

Long thought only to exist in a low-quality format, the original edit of Arrival is presented here as a brand new digital restoration from the original 35mm film elements, along with a music-only soundtrack featuring Wilfred Josephs’ complete and abandoned score. This version is exclusive to this set. Also included is the previously-available original edit of The Chimes of Big Ben - viewers will note a drop in the technical quality of this episode.

Arrival Original Edit Restoration

A featurette using split-screen to demonstrate the scale of restoration required for this episode.

Trailers

Digitally restored trailers for all seventeen episodes and two generic trailers.

Production Guide

An exclusive book on the making of the series by Andrew Pixley.

Behind-the-Scenes footage

This unique footage, taken on location at Portmerion, shows a number of aspects of behind-the-scenes production, including the only known footage to exist of the original, abandoned Rover prototype. Also includes recently discovered, previously-unseen footage. From the collection of and (c) Steven Ricks.

Production Paperwork Archive

Original scripts for each episode are included on Discs 1-6 and Disc 7 contains some original production documentation, press releases and other memorabilia. The scripts make fascinating reading and include different versions of some shooting scripts, as well as revisions and some unused storylines. This unique collection is sourced from the personal archives of Tony Sloman, Steven Ricks and Simon Coward and is reproduced with their permission and assistance.

Image Archive

Individual galleries of over 1200 stills are featured throughout this set, with episodic ones appearing on Discs 1-6 and Disc 7 featuring generic/PR photos, coverage of the original Press Conference in 1967 and Jack Shampan’s designs. Also included on Disc 6, courtesy of the Steven Ricks collection is a series of Exposure Strips produced originally by the film labs when prepping rushes. As well as showing a number of clapperboards and other key items of interest they also detail the filming of some scenes that aren’t included in the final episodes.

Dolby 5.1 Audio Mix

Each of the seventeen episodes has the option to be listened to in either original Mono or Dolby 5.1 (where the original mono materials have been used to best effect).

Commercial Break Bumpers

Archive Material

Archive Material which includes textless titles with clean themes by Ron Grainer, Wilfred Josephs and Robert Farnon, as well as material from Living in Harmony, Fall Out, Rover, foreign Filing Cabinet title footage and the McGoohan photo montage from Arrival.

Catalogue Number: 7952663
Barcode: 5027626266349
Classification: PG
Number of Discs: 7
Picture: 4:3 / Colour
Sound: 5.1 / English
Subtitles: None
Region: 2 / PAL
Time: 850 mins approx + extras

YOU CAN ORDER YOUR COPY AT: http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info.php?products_id=481

 

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