NETWORK AT 25
There have been several companies over the years which have released both 'The Prisoner' and 'Danger Man' on VHS and DVD, but today on TUW it is time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of a true cornerstone of the world of 'The Prisoner'. Network.
Never before has a company devoted so much time and resources to 'The Prisoner'. Their 2007 40th anniversary release (left), unveiled in Portmeirion at the PM2007 event, was a stunning restoration from the original negatives and, like the 50th anniversary set 10 years later, was a release packed with special features - what other company could have produced not one, but two feature-length documentaries ('Don't Knock Yourself Out' and 'In My Mind') about the series, recorded audio commentaries, produced text commentaries and books detailing the complete production history of the series, and gathered together so much behind-the-scenes footage and photographs?
Their 50th anniversary event in 2017 at Portmeirion was unrivaled in terms of content and guests, and still to this day they are uncovering new never-before-seen content and continue their gradual restoration of 'Danger Man' in HD (with two iconic episodes included in their 2017 'Prisoner' set, and others since streamed via their online service).
Having now released almost all of the content that ITC ever produced in the UK, Network have truly provided something for everyone. Friend of TUW, Network MD Tim Beddows, writes; "it is gratifying to know that we can still offer a little break from it all in form of something from the past as stirring, emotive and pioneering as anything made today"
From their very earliest release, a compilation of 'Charley Says' safety information films, right up to 2022 with the deluxe releases of ITC titles such as 'Stingray' and 'The Persuaders', the company has brought so much joy with several thousand releases of both TV shows and films, many thought lost forever, and certainly (other than a few flagship titles) most of which no other company would have taken the time and care to remaster and release.
Thank you so very much, Network. Here's to the next 25 years!
[The complete 25th anniversary piece by Tim Beddows can be read on the Network website HERE, Network's 'The Prisoner' and Patrick McGoohan titles can be purchased from HERE.]