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 typeface used for most of the written signs in the Village, and the episode titles is Albertus, with two modifications - 1) the dot above "i" and "j" is nearly always removed, and 2) the letter "e" is nearly always modified to look like the Euro currency symbol with a single bar. Some exceptions to this include when capital letters are used in signs, and when No 6 is shown maps of the Village in "Arrival", normal "e"s are used. The information sign in the Village in "Arrival" also uses an entirely different font.

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Goofs

In the opening sequence, the letter X is typed across the prisoner's photograph, but the typewriter typebar for the letter H is moving. The typebar for the letter X is at the far right of the frame.

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Quotes

Number 6: I also have a problem. I'm not sure which side runs this Village.

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Crazy Credits

In the two episodes in which Alexis Kanner receives screen credit ("Living in Harmony" and "Fall Out") his name is surrounded by a white box. No other actor's name is emphasized in this way.

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Connections

Referenced in Doctor Who: The Happiness Patrol: Part 3 (1988)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

A Masterpiece

Just watched Once Upon A Time which for me is the best and most important episode in the series, the interplay between Patrick McGoohan and Leo McKern is quite simply brilliant. As for the series like many others I remember first seeing the show as a 10 year old, it left an indelible impression on me then and with time that impression hasn't faded one bit, I still consider it one of the finest television series ever created. I hope Hollywood nor anyone else attempt to remake it, it would be like a sad photocopy of the Mona Lisa, leave it alone please. To Patrick McGoohan and all those involved in creating it I'd just like to say 'THANK YOU'

For those who ask what the series is all about, I'd say watch it, and make your own mind up don't just accept my opinion on it, 'think' for yourself. Be seeing you.