THE PRISONER VIDEO RELEASES Part one - MPI Video (USA)

MPI Video were the first USA company to release the series in full and with one episode per tape. They were also the first to release the (in)famous "Alternative" Chimes Of Big Ben episode, mastering it direct from the 16mm film which was discovered in ITC's New York offices only days before it was due to hit the dumpster.

Arrival The Prisoner becomes Number Six, discovers The Village, Number Two and Rover. He tries to escape but soon realises that The Village isn't going to let him go easily as prison bars slam shut.

The Chimes of Big Ben Nadia, a new arrival in The Village, is moved into the cottage next to Number Six. She too has recently resigned her job and together they come up with an ingenious escape plan to escape to London.

A. B. and C Using an experimental drug, Number Two attempts to understand why The Prisoner resigned by penetrating and controlling his dreams. Can Number Six prove that he is still in control of his own mind?

Free For All Pushed to participate in the 'democratic' election, Number Six is elected Number Two. Is he now really in charge, or is it just another trap to break him?

Schizoid Man The Village puts into operation the most far-reaching plan yet to break The Prisoner. The plot involves a telepathic link with another prisoner and the creation of an exact double of Number Six.

The General Speedlearn, a fast learning process technique administered by a sublimator device, takes The Village by storm. Number Six is to discover that knowledge for knowledge's sake has it's price.

Many Happy Returns The Village appears abandoned and Number Six seizes his chance to escape. Back home he persuades his ex-bosses to locate the Village and sets out on an air reconnaisance he might live to regret.

Dance of the Dead There is a carnival in The Village and Number Six is confronted with physical, psychological and intellectual death. This episode is one of the most colourful but holds the darkest secrets.

Checkmate Number Six plays a dangerous game of human chess, both on and off the giant chessboard, and finds his logic turns full circle.

Hammer Into Anvil Number two is directly responsible for the suicide of an innocent girl. Number Six uses paranoia as a weapon of vengeance, proving that every man indeed has his breaking point.

It's Your Funeral Number Six finds himself in the middle of an organised murder attempt on a old Number Two. His involvement saves a life but paradoxically helps the very place he's trying to destroy.

A Change Of Mind Number Six is declared 'Unmutal' but overcomes an Instant Social Conversion operation. This enables him to turn the tables in a surprising way.

Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling A mindswap has carried out on Number Six, he awakens at home in his own London flat but inside the body of a stranger.

Living In Harmony The Prisoner has somehow become a character in a Wild west scenario. As the plot unfolds he has to live out a dangerous reality.

The Girl Who Was Death Another surreal twist as The Prisoner meets Danger Man in a deadly confrontation with a beautiful professional killer and her mad-scientist father.

Once Upon A Time In the Embryo Room, Number Two and Number Six engage in their last battle: Degree Absolute. Through psychological regression then evolution, The Village hopes to finally break their Prisoner.

Fallout Face to face with the Village organisation, Number Six finally meets Number One. An episode full of surreal imagery and unexpected violence. Does The Prisoner finally escape and is he now a free man ?

The 'Alternative' Chimes of Big Ben Originally a rough-cut episode which accidentally got into the 'finished' bag. Slightly different to the regular version, some additional scenes, some different music.

The more eagle-eyed of you will have noticed that most of the sleeve illustrations bear absolutely no relation to the actual episodes on the tapes inside. This was despite the fact that, prior to printing the sleeves, MPI actually went to the trouble of taking expert advice on which illustrations to use. Then ignored it! Why video companies do this sort of thing is one of life's little mysteries but they all do it, even today! This release is, thankfully, well and truly on the deleted list. MPI had a couple of other little flurries (before losing the franchise)and released the rather poor "Video Companion" and the let's-milk-it-dry "Best Of The Prisoner".

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