DVD Corner

Secret Agent AKA Danger Man: The Complete Collection

MPI has released the entire “Secret Agent AKA Danger Man” British television series starring Patrick McGoohan in a new slimline case set, which is good for collectors, as the set includes 18 discs.  The series starred McGoohan first as a 30 minute series and then later as an expanded 50 minute show.  It was brought to the U.S. in 1965 and renamed Secret Agent and given a new theme song ,made famous by Johnny Rivers.  Its a remarkable series for many reasons.

McGoohan plays John Drake, working for a an agency much like the CIA or British Intelligence that assigns him to do a variety of missions that take him to lots of exotic locations around the world.  McGoohan is perfect as Drake; he gets to play a variety of characters during his assignments and although he’s a spy, he has an inner morality that gives him an independent streak from the typical spy.  This inner strength comes through on many episodes leading him to clashes with who he works for and was then extended to a much greater degree in “The Prisoner” series.  You might say John Drake is “Number Seven” before “The Prisoner”.

The giant 18 disc set contains every episodes, presented in its original broadcast order, including two color episodes at the conclusion of the series. Considering the age of the series, MPI should be credited with an excellent transfer and most of the shows look very good with very little dirt or scratches.

If you are a fan of “The Prisoner”, you owe it to yourself to take a look at this series.  It’s Patrick McGoohan at his finest.

October 15, 2010 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | British television, John Drake, Patrick McGoohan, Secret Agent AKA Danger Man: The Complete Collection, spy adventure