The Official Prisoner Companion by Matthew White, Jaffer Ali
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Book Reviews of The Official Prisoner Companion
Book Review: Awesome
Summary: 5 Stars
Awesome book to have for any Prisoner fan. This book is better than the new mini series.Book Review: Historical Inaccuracies
Summary: 4 Stars
In this book, it is stated: "On a different note, in their "Observations" regarding the episode 'A Change of Mind', the authors suggest that "it is easy to make comparisons between the committee in this episode and McCarthy's House Un-American Activities Committee of the 1950s."
If the authors knew a little more about the period when The Prisoner was filmed they might have made the rather more relevant observation that the various events in this episode very closely resemble the excesses of the Chinese Cultural Revolution - of the 1960s."
Even worse than missing the importance of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, the authors show even less knowledge of US history. McCarthy was NOT a member of the House Un-American Activities Committee. He was a Republican Senator from Wisconsin, thus, not even a member of the House.
HUAC's primary interest in those days seemed to be in rooting out left-wingers from Hollywood. McCarthy made his fame from claims, never established, of as many as 205 Communists or sympathizers (whatever that might mean) in the Army and the State Department. McCarthy never undertook investigations of former spies nor did his tactics, based more on implications of guilt by association or skillfully worded queries of the "do you still beat your wife?" type, that trapped witnesses into unintended and incorrect answers, ever kidnap or imprison those suspected of wrongdoing.
In the days of the Red Scare, simply implying a person was "soft" on Communism could ruin a career.
The information on McCarthy and HUAC is readily available. Errors of this sort mean sloppy research by the authors. What, then, of their critique can we trust?
Book Review: The Story behind a TV Classic.....
Summary: 3 Stars
1988's "The Official Prisoner Companion" is a still useful guide for those just discovering the long-lived TV cult clasic "The Prisoner", first aired in 1967 and still selling in its DVD incarnation. The show starred Patrick McGoohan, fresh from his stint as TV's Secret Agent/Danger Man, as a British secret agent who, after resigning from the Secret Intelligence Service, is kidnapped and held prisoner at a remote and unlocated seaside village.
In the village, the inhabitants are known by their place in a numerical sequence. Patrick McGoohan is re-christened Number Six, while the village is run by Number Two, played by a new actor each episode. Number Two's job, among others, is to find out why Number Six resigned. It is implied that those behind Number Two fear Number Six is a traitor. Number Six vigorously resists being questioned or imprisoned. His plaintive "I am not a number, I am a free man" is part of the opening sequence of each show. Most plots center around Number Six's efforts to escape or to undermine the authority of Number Two.
"The Prisoner" only ran for 17 episodes. The episodes are summarized in the guide, along with some fascinating production notes. The Prisoner Official Companion also explores the debates over the meaning of the series, which was considered cutting edge and provocative in the late 1960's and is still fascinating TV today.
"The Official Prisoner Companion" is recommended to those seeking some backstory on the series. The series itself is highly recommended to those looking for something different in classic TV.
Actor Patrick McGoohan passed away 14 January 2009, aged 80 years. ITV has announced a revival of "The Prisoner" tv series, starring Sir Ian McKellan as Number Two and Jim Cavezeal as Number Six.
Book Review: it is what you would expect and nothing more
Summary: 3 Stars
For thsoe who liked the series and want to know a littlle more about it this book is it. But it is not to much more than a reference book in my opinion and can put you asleep if you are not excited about the subject matter. If you own the TV series on DVD or tape this book is recommended.Book Review: Official Prisoner Companion
Summary: 3 Stars
Saw original TV show in 60s,AUSTRALIA,always thought related to Danger Man. Interresting to see insights to show, how rover came about, and the "futuristic thoughts" of the day. An interresting read full of what ifs! yet still clear as mud answers to base line of show.
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