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Secret Agent AKA Danger Man Megaset (1965) Review

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(More customer reviews)What was golden about "Secret Agent" in 1965 remains golden: it tackles the familiar spy-story themes---duty, honor, country; loyalty, brotherhood, betrayal---with a theatrical style, with romanticism, wit, and grace, often with deep human feeling. In 1965, when the moral norms in television and movies were starting to go to hell in a handbasket and the spy genre was characterized by the comic-book vulgarity of the James Bond films and the moral pessimism of John Le Carre, the strong moral tone and absence of promiscuity in "Secret Agent" were remarkable. That turned out to be a deliberate device, at the personal insistence of the star. Certain of the writers and directors seemed to recognize the possibilities and seize on them, deftly exploiting their star's unique characteristics to create some fascinating, unforgettable television.
With this reissue of the complete '65-'66 series on DVD---and now that things in the culture have gotten a lot darker---my own thanks go to Patrick McGoohan for that particular moment in his career: for the glowing, graceful Cold Warrior he made of John Drake; for his insistence on a principled approach to the character; for the enduring mystery of personality he brought to a small-screen hero.
Can't go to the theater? Watch McGoohan, with his strange quality of aggressive shyness, in a repertory of amusing impersonations: the tipsy playboy, the wheeler-dealer businessman, the shy schoolteacher, the crisp colonial officer, the langorous beachcomber, the insolent artist, the veddy English butler, the flirtatious German encyclopedia salesman, the supercilious physician ("It's Bailey-Carpenter---ehm---there's a hyphen"). The darkness of "The Prisoner" and 35 years of villain roles haven't dimmed the glow of this princely performance, or the image of the decent, thoughtful man behind it, who seemed to care so genuinely about his influence on the television audience.
Faulkner said, "The artist's duty is to lift up men's hearts and help them endure." The people who worked on this series did their duty.
So spend your money. This is great stuff.
M.E.M.

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He always fights fair. He rarely carries a gun. He never falls into bed with the girl. He is John Drake, a spy like no other.Before he made TV history with The Prisoner, Patrick McGoohan rocketed to stardom with his unforgettable portrayal of the principled Drake, a top operative for the British M9 Intelligence Agency. Stylish, suspenseful, and smart, SECRET AGENT's missions took Drake to the corners of the globe on the trail of international criminals, corrupt politicians and stolen secrets.This definitive DVD collection includes all 47 episodes of SECRET AGENT. From the opening strains of Johnny Rivers's classic theme song to the two rarely-seen color shows that brought the series to a close, every moment is here, digitally remastered and presented in the original CBS broadcast order.

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Secret Agent AKA Danger Man, Set 6 (1965) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been a big follower of 60's cult television and Secret Agent Man is by far the darkest and most realistic of the spy genre. Assasinations, plot twist after plot twist, intelligent writing that will keep you on the edge of your seat--this series has it all---even a character that is showing his frustration at what his job involves (which helps to build the perfect segway into "The Prisoner"--) The set completes the 1 hour collection (and I certainly hope that they'll release the 1/2 hour episodes at some time)-- My only critique is that they should have included not only the 1 hour versions of "Shindo Shima" and "Koroshi" (as they did) but also the entire full length version as it was put together for a feature film--a few scenes were added for continuity that collectors would have appreciated-
(even moreso because the segway that ties the two episodes together in the film version actually shows a differant impression of where an agent's loyalty lies then in the pt.1 and pt.2 version---a cool little twist that you'll only catch in the film version)---At any rate---the entire series is fantastic and excluding the final two episodes, the noirish Black and White atmosphere of Secret Agent morphing into the color of The Prisoner has an almost Wizard of Oz effect if you watch the two series back to back and assume that Drake and No. 6 are indeed the same character (which I tend to believe regardless of the lingering debate amongst hardcore fans)

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The Prisoner: The Complete Series (1968) Review

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(More customer reviews)Well not exactly Patrick McGoohan's opening from The Prisoner, but it did catch your attention :-). Seriously here they are, all 17 episodes plus the Prisoner Video Companion originally offered on MCI Home Video now on DVD compliments of our good friends at A&E. What's nicer is the episodes are arranged in what the fans believe to be the chronological order of the episodes in terms of Number 6's time in the Village rather than order of original airdate (although some of them are in airdate order). As a hint at this look carefully at "The General" and "A, B and C". Both star Colin Gordon as Number 2, but in the opening for "A, B and C" he says "I am number 2" rather than "The new number 2". Also this set contains something released on video previously but only in England, a special edition of the 5th episode of the series, "The Chimes of Big Ben". Definitely the best of McGoohan's 3 British Secret Agent types series, but also the quintessential scifi series as well. By the way, a special debt of gratitude to A&E Homevideo. When this series first came out on VHS on MPI Homevideo in 1990, they made a muff in the episode "Checkmate". In the "Where am I" segment of the opening sequence it started with McGoohan doing it with the fore mentioned Colin Gordon even though Peter Wyngarde played Number 2 in this episode. By the third line "That would be telling" the tape was ok. I can't speak for the new A&E VHS copy, but on these DVDs the muff has NOT recurred. Which means either A&E acquired a better copy of the episode to restore on DVD or someone told them about the flub from 11 years ago. So kudos to A&E Video for to repairing this decade old "blooper". This 10 pack is much better buy than the 5 sets of 2 DVDs individually. Get it now, return to the Village and escape at your own pace.

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Since its CBS debut in the summer of 1968, the masterful British TV series THE PRISONER has captivated American audiences. Now A&E presents a definitive aficionado's edition of the cult classic which is considered one of the most innovative TV series ever filmed, for the first time in breathtaking Blu-Ray. Fully restored from the original film elements with newly remixed 5.1 surround sound and featuring hours of bonus material never released in North America, THE PRISONER: BLU-RAY EDITION is a fitting tribute to the creative vision of the late Executive Producer and Star Patrick McGoohan.
After resigning from a top-secret position, a man (McGoohan) is abducted and spirited from his London home to a mysterious place known only as 'The Village.' Village Residents, known only by numbers, are held captive because each possesses valuable knowledge. The Prisoner, now known as Number Six, battles to protect his mind -- and his humanity -- while struggling to discover the identity of Number One and escape captivity.

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Secret Agent AKA Danger Man, Set 4 (1965) Review

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(More customer reviews)Patrick McGoohan returns as British secret agent John Drake in the fourth boxed set of one hour long episodes of Danger Man. Presented in black and white, are adventures in espionage around the world. Here are summaries and/or comments for the episodes in this set. Episode ratings are on a scale from one to five (best).
Volume 7: (Disc 1)
Sting in the Tail (3): This episode features Derren Nesbitt, as "Rachid Noureddine", a hit man headquartered in Beirut. Drake's plan is to lure him to where he can be captured, by using his girlfriend, a nightclub singer. Drake's cover is as an artist, interested in painting the woman's picture. Nesbitt is an actor who usually has a riveting screen presence, and this is the case here. There are sparks, when he and Drake, clash swords over the woman. The plot is simple and direct, though accepting McGoohan as a romantic figure is always a challenge. This episode's title is drawn from a gadget weapon similar to those provided by Q Branch in the Bond films.
The Black Book (4): Sir Noel Blanchard has been indiscreet, and is feeling a blackmailer's bite. John Drake is enlisted to look into the situation, and is sent to Paris to investigate. Tracking the payoff money, Drake encounters a mysterious young woman, and a connection to a Russian spy network. An above average episode, that has a gritty edge. More gadgetry, this time it is a typewriter that tracks and transmits radio signals.
English Lady Takes Lodgers (4): After George Stanway, a well known local smuggler disappears, Drake is sent to Lisbon to investigate. Stanway's wife Emma, takes in boarders, and is on unusually good terms with her lodgers. Drake too becomes a guest, and is soon swept up into the mysterious affairs of the villa's occupants.
Loyalty Always Pays (4): There's trouble in an unnamed African country, where the Minister of Defense has signed a secret treaty with China. Drake is sent in to get proof the treaty's existence. Making use of the local intelligence network to get the information he needs, Drake runs a con game, forcing a security official to help him to get access to the Ministry. This is a well-written episode full of intrigue, and featuring more gadgets.
Volume 8: (Disc 2)
Are You Going To Be More Permanent? (3): The last two comptrollers in Geneva have disappeared. The three local agents are under suspicion. Prepared for a trap, Drake is sent in to ferret out a double agent. A solid, no-frills tale of espionage.
Parallel Lines Sometimes Meet (4): A couple employed at an English atomic research lab, mysteriously disappears. Seeking to discover their fate, John Drake turns up in Haiti, of all places. There he encounters a mysterious English couple, a Russian agent, an overly intrusive police official, and the owner of a mining operation with much to conceal. Forming an alliance with the Russian; Drake explores the secrets of the mine, leading to an explosive finish.
A Very Dangerous Game (4): Drake assumes the identity of a teacher on his way to take a position in Singapore. Upon arrival, Drake is contacted by Chinese spies, and instructed to help trap a British agent. Soon Drake has located the ring's base of operations, and is playing a dangerous game of deception, where the price of failure is death. A fast paced adventure with an interesting but somewhat curious resolution.
The Mercenaries (3): Once again in an unnamed African nation, John Drake's initial undercover role is as a mercenary. Uncovering a connection between the leader of the mercenaries and an unscrupulous surgeon, Drake then must prevent the death of the country's Prime Minister, and avert a forced takeover. This episode is not with some humor, featuring a native witch doctor, and a most impressive pole vault.
In Danger Man Set 4, gadgets and gizmos seem to be more prominent than in previous episodes, particularly in Volume 7. The inclusion of such devices does not detract too much, as they remain tools used within context of the stories. In summary, another solid collection that should satisfy fans of the series, and cold war espionage.
The editors at A&E might pay a bit more attention to detail, and get the location correct in the episode synopsis. Spain is substituted for Portugal, Vienna for Geneva, and Hong Kong for Singapore. Fans of Danger Man, may find my other reviews of the series of interest. Be seeing you.

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Secret Agent (aka Danger Man) - The Complete Collection Megaset 2007 (1965) Review

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(More customer reviews)Don't get the other megaset confused with this one - this is the real deal. Every episode of the series is on the DVD set, not just half! The quality is great and rather compact since they used the thin cases.

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Secret Agent AKA Danger Man: The Complete Collection (Slimline Packaging) Review

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(More customer reviews)One year before The Avengers started avenging, and two years before Bond started claiming his extravagant living expenses, there was Danger Man.
All the usual ITC hallmarks are here, good actors, beautiful actresses and fast paced storylines.
This is the most real interpretation of spying on TV before Callan, Drake has some fancy gadgets, but nothing in the unbelievable Bond league.
Plus, the added bonus of McGoohan's smouldering personality.
Series one introduction:- "Every government has its secret service branch. America, CIA; France, Deuxième Bureau; England, MI5. NATO also has its own. A messy job? Well that's when they usually call on me or someone like me.
Oh yes, my name is Drake, John Drake".
Watch "View From the Villa" and see Portmeirion being used for the first time.
(The 30 minute series.)
Watch "Colony 3" and see where McGoohan started to formulate the idea of The Prisoner.
(The 50 minute series.)
The last two episodes made "Koroshi" and "Shinda Shima" were filmed in colour.
Drakes contact in,"Koroshi" called Potter reappears in The Prisoners,"The Girl who was Death" episode.
I can't help noticing the US theme music "Secret Agent Man" has aged worse then Edwin Astley's UK instrumental theme.
My favourite episode is the atypical episode "The Ubiquitous Mr Lovegrove", most bizarre, and refreshingly different. I think it must have influenced the writers of the Prisoner episodes "A, B & C" and "Living in Harmony".
I am aware that this show is Danger Man and not The Prisoner, but it's hard not to notice the location's, actors and director (Don Chaffey) who would also be involved with The Prisoner.
All 39 of the thirty minute episodes are here along with all 47 of the fifty minute version.
Originally aired; 1960-62 (30 min eps.), 1964-66 (50 min eps.)
Life without this collection is just too full of danger....man!

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