The Prisoner (1967–1968)

After resigning, a secret agent is abducted and taken to what looks like an idyllic village, but is really a bizarre prison. His warders demand information. He gives them nothing, but only tries to escape.

Stars:

Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat, Peter Swanwick

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Patrick McGoohan	...	Number Six (16 episodes, 1967-1968)
Angelo Muscat	...	The Butler (14 episodes, 1967-1968)
Peter Swanwick	...	Supervisor (8 episodes, 1967-1968)

Storyline

"The Prisoner" is a unique piece of television. It addresses issues such as personal identity and freedom, democracy, education, scientific progress, art and technology, while still remaining an entertaining drama series. Over seventeen episodes we witness a war of attrition between the faceless forces behind 'The Village' (a Kafkaesque community somewhere between Butlins and Alcatraz) and its most strong willed inmate, No. 6. who struggles ceaselessly to assert his individuality while plotting to escape from his captors.

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Plot Keywords:

information | prison | number | secret | british | 

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Taglines:

No Man Is Just A Number.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Details

Official Sites:

The Prisoner Appreciation Society: Six of One

Country:

UK

Language:

English Russian German Romany Spanish French Polish

Release Date:

1 June 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le prisonnier

Filming Locations:

Abingdon Street, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Everyman Films, Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (17 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono Dolby Digital (DVD Release)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The license plate on the car driven by The Prisoner in the credits is KAR 120C. The license plate of the car that follow him is TLH 858.

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Goofs

There is inconsistency about the location of the village, and whether it is on an island or not, perhaps deliberately: according to The Prisoner: The Chimes of Big Ben it is located in the vicinity of Lithuania and Poland, on the Baltic Sea; according to The Prisoner: Many Happy Returns it is on the coast of Morocco or southern Portugal, possibly an island; it is implied in The Prisoner: Fall Out that the village is in England near London, in Kent county.

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Quotes

Labour Exchange Manager: Good, you are honest. That is of use. Honesty attracts confidence, and confidence is our core of our business. See how honest I am being with you?

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Crazy Credits

Portmeirion, Wales is not identified as the location for filming in all but the final episode. Instead the closing credits in these episodes simply say "Filmed on location."

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Connections

Spoofed in Dead End (1985)

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Soundtracks

"Main Title Theme"
Written by Ron Grainer
Performed by Ron Grainer Orchestra

User Reviews

The coolest show of 2004

Who would think that the coolest show of 2004 would have been the rebroadcast of this 1960's British classic?

When I lived in the U.K. I heard about this show a lot, and when I went to Wales was told about the town where it was filmed, but I had no idea why people were so durned excited about it.

It can be murky and deliberately obscure, but I'm not sure I've ever seen a show as creative and bizarre....and you have to love the fact that No. 6 always looks so dammed serious!

Seriously, it's worth watching, if only to remember how important good writing and unique ideas used to be in television!