List of Prisoner home video releases

The following is a list of home video releases from the Australian television series Prisoner (internationally re-titled Prisoner: Cell Block H in the United States and the United Kingdom, and Caged Women in Canada). The entire series, consisting of 8 seasons and 692 episodes is available in both Australia and the UK. Initially released in "Best Of" compilation format on DVD in Australia with three sets, in the United States with the first two sets, and in the United Kingdom with only the first set.

In Australia, Shock Records commenced releasing what was to be the beginning of the entire series in 2006 in volume format on DVD; the complete series over 40 volumes. Prior to the release of Volume 13, "The Complete Collection" was made available with the remaining individual volumes released subsequently. A second version of "The Complete Collection" was released in 2011. All of the original sets are now out-of-print. As of late 2016, ViaVision are releasing Prisoner on DVD in their original complete season formats.

In the United Kingdom, the series began releasing on VHS with the first 12 episodes over six videos and a video containing episodes 326 & 327. Prisoner Cell Block H DVDs have been released in stages by FremantleMedia Home Entertainment between 2008 - 2013. The content on the discs is identical to the Australian release, but with different cover/sleeve artwork. The UK releases started out as boxed sets of eight discs (32 episodes) with two discs in four cases within each set, but from Volume 4 onwards all the discs are packed into a plastic case with flip disc holders. The entire series has been released over a total of 20 volumes, the first 16 volumes featuring eight discs each but Volume 17 onwards contains ten discs.

The UK DVD releases are a combination of two volumes as released in Australia. For example, the UK Volume 1 consists of the Australian Volumes 1 and 2.

As with the Australian versions of the DVDs, the episodes are on the whole uncut, but due to the aged source of the master tapes, sometimes minor edits are made to the episodes to cover breaks in the picture or sound.[1] "The Edna Pearson Story", released on UK DVD in February 2010, contains most of the previously cut scenes although, episode 470 is still missing a scene.

VHS

United States

The first 12 episodes of Prisoner: Cell Block H were over six VHS tapes in the United States in 1993 via MPI Home Video

Title Release date Season Rating Additional information
Episodes 1 & 2 23 June 1993 Season 1 Not rated
Episodes 3 & 4[2] 23 June 1993 Season 1 Not rated
Episodes 5 & 6 23 June 1993 Season 1 Not rated
Episodes 7 & 8 23 June 1993 Season 1 Not rated
Episodes 9 & 10[3] 23 June 1993 Season 1 Not rated
Episodes 11 & 12[4] 23 June 1993 Season 1 Not rated

United Kingdom

NTV Entertainment released eight VHS tapes between 1993 and 1995 in the United Kingdom.

Title Release date Season Rating Additional information
Episodes 1 & 2 1993 Season 1  15 
Episodes 3 & 4 1993 Season 1  PG 
Episodes 5 & 6 1993 Season 1  PG 
Episodes 7 & 8 1 February 1994 Season 1  15 
Episodes 9 & 10 15 August 1994 Season 1  PG 
Episodes 11 & 12 7 November 1994 Season 1  PG 
  • Exclusive interview footage with members of the cast
Episodes 326 & 327 11 October 1993 Season 4, episode 80 &
Season 5, episodes 1
 15 
The Great Escape 10 April 1995 N/A  E  (Exempt from classification) On the Outside Tour 1990; the cast of Prisoner on tour
  • All episodes from the VHS releases have been re-rated  12  for the DVD releases in United Kingdom for violence, language, drug references, nudity, and sexual threat.

DVD

In North America, Some of the episodes of this soap drama cult classic series were released on Region 1 DVD by A&E Home Entertainment, under licence from FremantleMedia International through the Reg Grundy Organisation from 2004-2007.

Compilation releases

Title Initial release Episodes No. of discs Additional information
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
The Best Of (1) 30 November 2004[5] 22 September 2003[6] 18 February 2002[7] 12 3
Features
  • Disc 1 - The Early Years: episodes 166, 287, 327 & 400
  • Disc 2 - The Terrorist Siege: episodes 550, 551, 550 & bonus episode 536
  • Disc 3 - The End: episodes 600, 601, 691 & 692
  • Released as 25th Anniversary Collector's Edition in United States
  • Also released on VHS format in Australia
  • Special features:
    • Interviews with Val Lehman (Bea Smith), Anne Phelan (Myra Desmond) & casting director Jan Russ
    • Clean End Credit Sequence
    • Photo Gallery - 100 Unseen Continuity Polaroids
  • Ratings:
    • Not Rated (U.S.)
    • 15 (UK)
    • M (Australia)

(also released as individual discs in Australia)

  • Region 2 re-release: 21 October 2013[8]
  • Region 4 re-release: 4 December 2013[9]
The Best Of (2) 19 December 2006[10] TBA 24 February 2003[11] 12 3
Features
  • Disc 1 - The Beginning: episodes 1, 2, 3 & 4
  • Disc 2 - The Great Escapes: episodes 20, 165, 471* & 598
  • Disc 3 - A Not So Quiet Riot: episodes 247, 248, 586 & 667
  • Released as Set 2 in United States
  • Also released on VHS format in Australia
  • Special features:
    • Photo Gallery
    • Post Cards
  • Ratings:
    • Not Rated (U.S.)
    • M (Australia)

(also released as individual discs in Australia)

(special features on region 4 only)

* Episode 471 was released uncut in the US, but had scenes cut in the Australian version

The Best Of (3) TBA TBA 26 July 2004[12] 12 3
Features
  • Disc 1 - Ann and Meg's Kidnapping: episodes 498,499,500 & 501
  • Disc 2 - Rita at Blackmoor: episodes 664,665,666 & 667
  • Disc 3 - Lead Up to the Final: episodes 687,688,689 & 690
  • Also released on VHS format in Australia
  • Special Features:
    • On the Inside documentary
  • Ratings:
    • M (Australia)
The Edna Pearson Story TBA 8 February 2010[13] TBA 8 2
Features
  • Episodes 463470
  • Ratings:
    • 12 (UK)

Australia

Prisoner is rated  M  (recommended for mature audiences) for moderate themes, violence, moderate violence, infrequent moderate violence, drug references, moderate drug references, moderate drug use, moderate drug themes and coarse language.

Volume sets

Title[14] Release date Season Episodes No. of discs ACB rating Additional information
Volume 1 19 October 2006
  • Season 1, episodes 116
16 4  M 
Special features
  • The Wentworth Files: Who's Who
  • Wentworth Galleria - exclusive & unseen photos
Volume 2 19 October 2006
  • Season 1, episodes 1732
16 4  M 
Special features
  • The Wentworth Files: Who's Who on Both Sides of the Bars
  • Wentworth Galleria
Volume 3 20 November 2006
  • Season 1, episodes 3348
16 4  M 
Special features
  • Wentworth Galleria
Volume 4 20 November 2006
  • Season 1, episodes 4964
16 4  M 
Special features
  • Inside Out: Morphing Galleria
Volume 5 17 March 2007
  • Season 1, episodes 6579
  • Season 2, episode 1

(Episodes 6580)

16 4  M 
Special features

None

Volume 6 17 March 2007
  • Season 2, episodes 217

(Episodes 8196)

16 4  M 
Special features
  • Hidden Baby Elizabeth Easter Egg
Volume 7 21 April 2007
  • Season 2, episodes 1833

(Episodes 97112)

16 4  M 
Special features

None

Volume 8 21 April 2007
  • Season 2, episodes 3449

(Episodes 113128)

16 4  M 
Special features

None

Volume 9 19 May 2007
  • Season 2, episodes 5065

(Episodes 129144)

16 4  M 
Special features

None

Volume 10 19 May 2007
  • Season 2, episodes 6681

(Episodes 145160)

16 4  M 
Special features

None

Volume 11 18 August 2007
  • Season 2, episodes 8286
  • Season 3, episodes 111

(Episodes 161176)

16 4  M 
Special features

None

Volume 12 20 August 2007
  • Season 3, episodes 1227

(Episodes 177192)

16 4  M 
Special features

None

Volume 13 20 October 2007
  • Season 3, episodes 2843

(Episodes 193208)

16 4  M 
Special features
  • Audio Commentary with Val Lehman and Amanda Muggleton on Episode 195
  • Episode 200 Introduction from Val Lehman
Volume 14
"The Vera Bennett Edition"
20 October 2007
  • Season 3, episodes 4459

(Episodes 209224)

16 4  M 
Special features
  • Reminisce with Fonia Spence
    • Episode 212 Introduction
    • Fonia's Edition
    • Poor Old Vera
    • Prisoner Advisors
    • Prisoner Reminisce
    • UK Tour, The Fans
    • A Little Bit of Vera
    • Thoughts and Advise
    • Episode 217 Introduction
    • Soft Spot
    • Prisoner Characters
    • Vera, 20 Years Later
    • Episode 223 Introduction
    • Episode 224 Introduction
    • Work Together, Play Together
    • Favourite Storyline
    • Cast and Crew
Volume 15 3 November 2007
  • Season 3, episodes 6075

(Episodes 225240)

16 4  M 
Special features
  • Reminisce With Val Lehman:
    • The Shower
    • Letter Bomb
Volume 16 3 November 2007
  • Season 3, episodes 7681
  • Season 4, episodes 110

(Episodes 241256)

16 4  M 
Special features
  • Reminisce With Val Lehman
    • Dangerous Props
    • Pigsworth
Volume 17 16 February 2008
  • Season 4, episodes 1126

(Episodes 257272)

16 4  M 
Special features

None

Volume 18 16 February 2008
  • Season 4, episodes 2742

(Episodes 273288)

16 4  M 
Special features
  • Reminisce With Val Lehman:
    • 1st Time Director
Volume 19 15 March 2008
  • Season 4, episodes 4358

(Episodes 289304)

16 4  M 
Special features
Volume 20 15 March 2008
  • Season 4, episodes 5974

(Episodes 305320)

16 4  M 
Special features

None

Volume 21 12 April 2008
  • Season 4, episodes 7580
  • Season 5, episodes 110

(Episodes 321336)

16 4  M 
Special features
  • Audio Commentary with Val Lehman and Jentah Sobott on Episode 327
Volume 22 12 April 2008
  • Season 5, episodes 1126

(Episodes 337352)

16 4  M 
Special features
  • Reminisce with Val Lehman:
    • K for Killer: Introduction from Val Lehman on episode 342
    • Prison Food on Set
Volume 23 14 July 2008
  • Season 5, episodes 2742

(Episodes 353368)

16 4  M 
Special features
  • Dear Chrissie: Q&A with Amamda Muggleton:
    • Other Things
    • Auditions
    • Chrissie's Return
    • Funniest Moment
    • Funniest Moment
    • Women in Prison
    • Your Character
    • Like Mother Like Daughter
Volume 24 14 July 2008
  • Season 5, episodes 4358

(Episodes 369384)

16 4  M 
Special features
  • Dear Chrissie: Q&A with Amanda Muggleton:
    • Looking Good
    • Chrissie and You
    • Recurring Character
    • Favourite Top Dog and Governor
    • Stunts
    • Once Off Special
    • Remake
Volume 25 18 August 2008
  • Season 5, episodes 5974

(Episodes 385400)

16 4  M 
Special features
  • Reminisce with Val Lehman:
    • Prisoner Direction
    • Logies Surprise
    • Tough Character
    • Bea's Last Episode
    • Drugs
Volume 26 18 August 2008
  • Season 5, episodes 7590

(Episodes 401416)

16 4  M 
Special features

None

Volume 27 13 September 2008
  • Season 6, episodes 116

(Episodes 417432)

16 4  M 
Special features

None

Volume 28 13 September 2008
  • Season 6, episodes 1732

(Episodes 433448)

16 4  M 
Special features
  • Audio Commentary with Tina Bursill and Michael Idato on Episode 433
  • Audio Commentary with Tina Bursill and Michael Idato on Episode 447
Volume 29 13 September 2008
  • Season 6, episodes 3348

(Episodes 449464)

16 4  M 
Special features

None

Volume 30 13 September 2008
  • Season 6, episodes 4964

(Episodes 465480)

16 4  M 
Special features

None

Volume 31 18 October 2008
  • Season 6, episodes 6580

(Episodes 481496)

16 4  M 
Special features
  • Interview with Anne Phelan
Volume 32 18 October 2008
  • Season 6, episodes 8189
  • Season 7, episodes 17

(Episodes 497512)

16 4  M 
Special features

None

Volume 33 18 October 2008
  • Season 7, episodes 823

(Episodes 513528)

16 4  M 
Special features

None

Volume 34 18 October 2008
  • Season 7, episodes 2447

(Episodes 529552)

24 6  M 
Special features

None

Volume 35 15 November 2008
  • Season 7, episodes 4871

(Episodes 553576)

24 6  M 
Special features

None

Volume 36 15 November 2008
  • Season 7, episodes 7283
  • Season 8, episodes 112

(Episodes 577600)

24 6  M 
Special features
  • Audio Commentary on Episode 595 with Glenda Linscott and Lois Collinder
  • Interview with Casting Director Jan Russ
Volume 37 15 November 2008
  • Season 8, episodes 1336

(Episodes 601624)

24 6  M 
Special features

None

Volume 38 15 November 2008
  • Season 8, episodes 3760

(Episodes 625648)

24 6  M 
Special features

None

Volume 39 1 January 2009
  • Season 8, episodes 6184

(Episodes 649672)

24 6  M 
Special features

None

Volume 40 1 January 2009
  • Season 8, episodes 85104

(Episodes 673692)

20 5  M 
Special features

None

The Complete Collection Original release:
29 September 2007
Re-release:
5 October 2011
  • Seasons 18; 692 episodes
692 174  M 
Special features
  • All special features between Volumes 140
  • Bonus Disc 174

Complete season sets

In late 2016, Australian distribution company ViaVision commenced releasing the series in their complete season formats on DVD and is under its original title of Prisoner as opposed to the Region 4 volume sets which contained the international title Prisoner: Cell Block H.

Title[15] Release date Episodes No. of discs ACB rating Additional information
The Complete Season One 2 November 2016 79 20  M 
Special features

Photo Gallery

Behind The Scenes

The Complete Season Two 11 January 2017 86 21  M 
Special features

None

The Complete Season Three 8 February 2017 81 21  M 
Special features

None

The Complete Season Four 8 March 2017 80 21  M 
Special features

TBA

The Complete Season Five 5 April 2017 90 23  M 
Special features

TBA

The Complete Season Six 7 June 2017 89 22  M 
Special features

Audio Commentary x 2

Interview x 1

The Complete Season Seven 8 August 2017 83 21  M 
Special features

TBA

The Complete Season Eight 6 September 2017 104 26  M 
Special features

2 x Audio Commentary

Interview

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, Prisoner: Cell Block H was released via Fremantle Home Entertainment, beginning late 2008. The complete series was released through 20 volumes containing 32 episodes per set for the first sixteen volumes; Volume 17 contains 40 episodes, Volume 18 and Volume 19 both contain 48 episodes and the final volume contains 44 episodes. The reason for the increased number of episodes on later sets was due to the fact that Fremantle wanted to keep exactly double the number of episodes as the original Australian sets. The first 33 Australian releases contain 16 episodes per set; sets 34 to 39 containing 24 episodes per set and Volume 40 containing 20 episodes. Therefore, Fremantle in the UK doubled-up on episodes so that they could finish releasing by Volume 20.

In Australia, distribution company Shock Records began releasing the UK volumes in 2011, as their original volumes are now out of print. The final volume was released in early 2014.

Title Release date Season Episodes No. of discs Rating Additional information
Region 2 Region 4 BBFC ACB
Volume 1 10 November 2008 9 March 2011
  • Season 1, episodes 132
32 8  15   M 
Special features
  • Audio commentary on Episode 1 from produce Ian Bradley
  • Who's Who of Wentworth: Case Files
  • Meet the Press Game
  • The Wentworth Files: Who's Who on Both Sides of the Bars
  • Wentworth Galleria: photos and production stills from the show
Volume 2 1 June 2009 9 March 2011
  • Season 1, episodes 3364
32 8  15   M 
Special features
  • Wentworth Galleria
  • Inside out - Morphing Gallery
Volume 3 12 October 2009 11 May 2011
  • Season 1, episodes 6579
  • Season 2, episodes 117

(Episodes 6596)

32 8  12   M 
Special features
Volume 13 30 November 2009 N/A
  • Complete season 1 (episodes 179)
  • Season 2, episodes 117

(Episodes 8096)

96 24  15  N/A
Special features
  • All special features from Volumes 1, 2 & 3
Volume 4 24 May 2010 29 July 2011
  • Season 2, episodes 1849

(Episodes 97128)

32 8  12   M 
Special features
Volume 5 11 October 2010 30 November 2011
  • Season 2, episodes 5081

(Episodes 129160)

32 8  12   M 
Special features
Volume 6 21 February 2011 1 February 2012
  • Season 2, episodes 8286
  • Season 3, episodes 127

(Episodes 161192)

32 8  15   M 
Special features
Volume 7 18 April 2011 7 May 2012
  • Season 3, episodes 2859

(Episodes 193224)

32 8  12   M 
Special features
Volume 8 27 June 2011 4 July 2012
  • Season 3, episodes 6081
  • Season 4, episodes 110

(Episodes 225256)

32 8  12   M 
Special features
  • Reminiscing with Val Lehman:
    • Val's anecdotes about the showers
    • Letterbomb
    • Dangerous Props
    • Pigsworth
Volume 9 29 August 2011 5 September 2012
  • Season 4, episodes 1142

(Episodes 257288)

32 8  12   M 
Special features
Volume 10 31 October 2011 5 September 2012
  • Season 4, episodes 4374

(Episodes 289320)

32 8  15   M 
Special features
Volume 11 20 February 2012 6 February 2013
  • Season 4, episodes 7580
  • Season 5, episodes 126

(Episodes 321352)

32 8  12   M 
Special features
Volume 12 12 March 2012 6 February 2013
  • Season 5, episodes 2758

(Episodes 353384)

32 8  12   M 
Special features
Volume 13 30 April 2012 1 May 2013
  • Season 5, episodes 5990

(Episodes 385416)

32 8  15   M 
Special features
Volume 14 9 July 2012 1 May 2013
  • Season 6, episodes 132

(Episodes 417448)

32 8  15   M 
Special features
Volume 15 6 August 2012 3 July 2013
  • Season 6, episodes 3364

(Episodes 449480)

32 8  15   M 
Special features
Volume 16 24 September 2012 3 July 2013
  • Season 6, episodes 6589
  • Season 7, episodes 17

(Episodes 481512)

32 8  12   M 
Special features
Volume 17 5 November 2012 16 October 2013
  • Season 7, episodes 847

(Episodes 513552)

40 10  12   M 
Special features
Volume 18 25 February 2013 16 October 2013
  • Season 7, episodes 4883
  • Season 8, episodes 112

(Episodes 553600)

48 12  15   M 
Special features
Volume 19 25 March 2013 8 January 2014
  • Season 8, episodes 1360

(Episodes 601648)

48 12  15   M 
Special features
Volume 20 13 May 2013 8 January 2014
  • Season 8, episodes 61104

(Episodes 649692)

44 12  15   M 
Special features
  • Bonus disc 12

References

  1. "List of cuts made to the DVDs". canberrang.webng.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  2. "Prisoner Cell Block H Vol 2 [VHS]". amazon.com. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  3. "Prisoner Cell Block H Vol 5 [VHS]". amazon.com. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  4. "Prisoner Cell Block H Vol 6 [VHS]". amazon.com. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  5. "Prisoner Cell Block H, Set 1 (25th Anniversary Collector's Edition)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  6. "Prisoner Cell Block H - Best Of Prisoner Cell Block H [DVD] [1987]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  7. "Prisoner DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  8. "The Best of Prisoner Cell Block H [DVD]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  9. "The Best Of Prisoner Cell Block H on DVD". dvdorchard.com.au. Archived from the original on 2015-07-22. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  10. "Prisoner Cell Block H, Set 2". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  11. "Prisoner DVD Prisoner: Cell Block H / The Best of - Volume 2". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  12. "Prisoner DVD Prisoner: Cell Block H / The Best of - Volume 3". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  13. "Prisoner Cell Block H - The Edna Pearson Episodes [DVD]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  14. Region 4 DVDs:
  15. Prisoner DVDs:
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