The Prisoner [DVD]

Arrow needs to get right with collector's and start demanding better from the studios who are just dumping their past on them in awful-looking quality. The magnificent and ever-on-point Alec Guinness stars as a priest enduring a hellish brainwashing exercise. So shocking in its day it alienated the Catholic church and quite apart from anything seen before or since its time, The Prisoner is a harrowing tale that will compel you to reconsider both authority and religion on every level. But this 1080p Blu-ray looks awful - riddled in age-related damage, dirt and debris, so thick in its grain structure, and with added flaws of digital edge enhancement and built-in flicker and gate weave, it makes for a real slog to sit through. Truly a disappointing effort from Sony - the custodians of this deep catalog release, and Arrow - who ought to have insisted on better treatment for one of their 'special editions'. Not loving this at all. Pass and be very glad that you did!

First I usually never give 5 stars out. Second, I like Alec Guiness as an actor as well as Jack Hawkins. So I am not completely unbiased. However, I was hoping for something a little closer to the true stories of Cardinal Aloysius Stepinac and Cardinal József Mindszenty (there is actually a 1950 American film about this Cardinal called 'Guilty of Treason" which I look forward to seeing). In spite of that, there is actually quite a bit of spirituality to this film.(Spoiler Alert) The very humanness and genuine feeling of repentance and the need for absolution on the Cardinal's part is basic to Christianity. A true Christian does not judge another person no matter if he is a cardinal, priest, or even a pope. That kind of judgmental feeling was not shown by the people waiting for Alec Guiness as he left the prison. Also, just before he was arrested after saying Mass he told his close friend that anything coming from his incarceration through a confession/show trial was either a lie or due to human weakness. And he certainly fell into the second category. But that's what the mercy of Christ is all about, right? As a Catholic I liked this movie very much. Hopefully we will see more dramas along these lines particularly ones based on real persons (like the aforementioned Cardinals, one of which was made a saint by Pope John Paul II). Church history is full of really fascinating stories about, saints. martyrs, early church fathers, Doctors of the Church (e.g. St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas), etc. I only wish there were more Christian producers/writers/ filmmakers to show the richness of Church history and its impact on World (particularly Western) Civilization .Cheers.

A chilling reminder of mid-20th century Eastern Europe, with it's ruthless twisted violence of battling ideologies and it's hopelessness. Suggests the story of the Hungarian Cardinal Mindszenti, who was freed during the brief Hungarian Revolution. But Mindszenty ended his days (if memory serves me) in the American Embassy in Budapest. This ending is not nearly so positive. Still, Guiness is brilliant, and his nemesis is appropriately chilling.

A magnificent performance by Sir Alec Guiness. The movie was inspired by the ordeal of Cardinal Josef Mindszenty of Hungary in the late 40s at the hands of communist mindbenders. He was released from prison by Hungarian freedom fighters during the short revolt against the Soviet backed communist regime in 1956. Jack Hawkins' performance was also superb!

Dull

For a film that stirred much controversy when released, it is tame by the standards now.Fine acting, interesting story. I was glad to watch it.

A thought-provoking drama of church state conflict in an unnamed eastern European country (probably Hungary in 1956). Jack Hawkins and Alec Guinness were great actors.

Anything with Sir Alec Guiness is going to be good. I find his interpretations of Catholic Heirarchy really accurate: they are men before they are men of God. People forget that, in this day and age. I do not. "The Prisoner" is a fair representation of an innocent man with a very heavy conscience. If you are able to forgive, as you have been forgiven, then watch. Otherwise, you will assuage your hostility against Divine Mercy---which by the way eventually YOU will need. love, aunt maureen

"The Prisoner" is a claustrophic subect as the title would suggest.Throughout history it can be seen how during revolution those that take over are often personally obsessed with the idea of breaking the spirit of their enemies. Notably in the C20th religious people often are earmarked for such attention. this is the theme and plot of the film. It is often a theme or plot in cinema that reoccurs through the decades.Another but of course updated plot, is that of the biography of Pope John Paul II "Karol - A man who became Pope" only his interrogator is a Communist Komrad Polish Commissar but this fasination of 'spiritual wills battling' is explored wonderfully in "The Prisoner".For fans of the 30s & 40s British black and white films it is interesting, though unsettling to see Jack Hawkins, in the role of a 'baddie' and the exploration between Hawkins as the Nazi interrogator and Guinness as the prisoner works really well.The plot is heightened I think, because one is so used to seeing Hawkins as the RN Army or RAF officer a 'good fellow' and it is this which adds a sense and dynamic of extra menace to the plot. As one has to feel perhaps, a little bit like the prisoner must have, when wondering 'how could one man do this to another' and with such civility as interrogators often use along with vicious flashes and with such verve.It is a haunting film and made in the days when the studios didn't have the remit enforced that 'people need a lift an up at the end - a happy ending' - life isn't like that. Nor is this film.Yes, the priest is released and has held on but it is not with a sense of 'winning' that we watch him walk to the outside and to his 'freedom' - it is as one becomes, when presented and confined to the energy of evil intent; intimidation and threats, formalised and circulated defamation the realisation is brutal - a man who has survived but now is a completely different man who now carries within him such knowledge from such an experience. An interesting and powerful film but it haunts you. Not a first date after dinner film that is for sure!

This is a bit of a strange and rather dark film, which was obviously shot on a very low budget. It focuses on two main characters Guinness and Hawkins. I do not believe in spoiling the plot, but I will say it is based upon internment cases emulating from Central and Eastern Europe, around the time of its making. I cannot say its an enjoyable film, as the viewer sees the demise of the Guinness character. Its one of those films you watch and put the film in a cupboard and don't watch again. Interesting, but not that watchable.

I've been searching for years so to finally have my pwn copy is fantastic. A true great "oldie-goldie". Although 60+ years from when I first saw it, it is still is a gripping film with spot-on performances from Guinness & Hawkins.

Excellent

Thank You..