Review of Prisoner Cell Block H, Best Of

Introduction

Before Bad Girls came Prisoner. It was based on `Within These Walls ` and even offered that show`s star Googie Withers the job as Governor of Wentworth Prison. The show quickly outgrew its origins and became a successful and long-lived episodic drama or as we prefer soap.

Shortly after it finished transmitting its final episode on Australian TV the programme was sold to Central television and the whole 8-year sentence started again. It has become a show like `Star Trek` with a lingering afterlife mutating into websites and acquiring cult status. It continues to be repeated around the world making these women long overdue for parole.

Prisoner was considered groundbreaking because it was more interested in the prisoners than the `Screws`. Prisoner offered a look `inside` with all the petty jealousies, hierarchies and power struggles-and that was just the prison officers.

The antics of Bea Smith, Vera otherwise known as `Vinegar-Tits and kindly but daft Meg Morris were watched avidly in this country in the graveyard slot. When Joan-`the freak` Ferguson joined the team it was time to run out and purchase black gloves and snap them on.

OK so maybe not the last part but it was the sort of show that garnered a huge and loyal following. There was even a stage show that resurrected some of the characters lead by Bea Smith of course.

The three-disc set offers 12 episodes from the original 693.

On the disc I was sent for review purposes there were four episodes
Number166-the escape attempt during a children`s panto performance that leaves Bea, Lizzie and the other daft one underground. Most notable for being set over a couple of days with each woman`s lipstick remaining intact for the whole time.

Number 287 A new prison officer arrives and gets tough with her black leather gloves. Yes ,Joan `the freak` Ferguson wants to be `Top Dog`.

Number327 fire! A distraction blaze escalates into a major fire that nearly destroys the whole prison-whoops. Meanwhile Bea is beaten up by the Freak. A lot of smoke and coughing in this episode. The rest of the girls get to stay in a men`s prison.

Number 400 the last episode for Bea Smith.

Video

1980`s television broadcast -not a lot to say .The transfer is reasonably clean but the source material limits the overall quality. It is a good clear picture.

Costumes-standard prison issue. Very attractive dungarees and matching pyjamas.

Sets-limited to inside of cells, the Governor`s Office and the canteen. Occasional escapes lead to prisoners being seen in daylight, it`s not pretty.

Audio

Mainly dialogue but a special mention about the theme song that affects me in the same way as Vogon poetry affected Arthur Dent. I had an almost irresistible urge to cut my throat when I heard this after a pleasurable 20 year gap. It is a great cure for insomnia but the nightmares!

Features

An interview with Val Lehman
Val played Bea Smith in the days when her dentures fitted her better. I`m sorry Val but the sound of your lisp put me off the content. Please come back and do panto again…
Only 7 minutes and not enlightening but this is strictly for the fans.

Clean Credit Sequence

Yep- film of an anonymous Prison Guard who locks non-existent doors as the song warbles on. Please no more I`ll tell you everything.

Conclusion

It is hard to see how a `Best Of` issue works. What I found frustrating was coming in on a story line that did not conclude. This set offers just a taste of porridge. Frankly however I can live without it. It was throwaway television then and just because it has been elevated to DVD status doesn`t make it worthwhile viewing. Best leave it as fondly remembered without reminding us that it wasn`t actually that good.

Hard to imagine that this programme was so popular but strewth so was Neighbours in those heady days of the 1980`s when the old channels were competing against the young Channel 4 and TV Franchises were changing hands at an alarming rate.

This release may well attract new fans but it seems a little pricey to me at £34.99 for a measly 12 episodes. That leaves 681 episodes left…aaah!