"The Prisoner" (1967) TV series 1967-1968

Creator:

Patrick McGoohan
(more)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

1 June 1968 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

No Man Is Just A Number.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Information | Prison | Number | Secret | British

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Patrick McGoohan	...	Number Six / ... (17 episodes, 1967-1968)
George Markstein	...	Man Behind Desk in Title Sequence (15 episodes, 1967-1968)
Angelo Muscat	...	The Butler (14 episodes, 1967-1968)
Peter Swanwick	...	Supervisor (8 episodes, 1967-1968)
Fenella Fielding	...	Loudspeaker Announcer / ... (7 episodes, 1967)

Series Directed by
Patrick McGoohan		(5 episodes, 1967-1968)
Pat Jackson		(4 episodes, 1967-1968)
Don Chaffey		(4 episodes, 1967)
David Tomblin		(2 episodes, 1968)

Series Writing credits
Patrick McGoohan		(6 episodes, 1967-1968)
David Tomblin		(3 episodes, 1967-1968)
Anthony Skene		(3 episodes, 1967)
Terence Feely		(2 episodes, 1967-1968)
Vincent Tilsley		(2 episodes, 1967-1968)

Series Produced by
Patrick McGoohan	....	executive producer (17 episodes, 1967-1968)
David Tomblin	....	producer (17 episodes, 1967-1968)

Series Original Music by
Robert Farnon		(unknown episodes)
Wilfred Josephs		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Brendan J. Stafford		(17 episodes, 1967-1968)

Series Film Editing by
Lee Doig		(5 episodes, 1967-1968)
Geoffrey Foot		(4 episodes, 1967)
John S. Smith		(3 episodes, 1967)
Eric Boyd-Perkins		(3 episodes, 1968)
Noreen Ackland		(2 episodes, 1968)

Series Casting by
Rose Tobias Shaw		(17 episodes, 1967-1968)

Series Art Direction by
Jack Shampan		(17 episodes, 1967-1968)

Series Makeup Department
Eddie Knight	....	make-up (13 episodes, 1967-1968)
Patricia McDermott	....	hairdressing (13 episodes, 1967-1968)
Olive Mills	....	hair stylist (4 episodes, 1968)
Frank Turner	....	makeup artist (4 episodes, 1968)

Series Production Management
Bernard Williams	....	production manager (13 episodes, 1967-1968)
Ronald Liles	....	production manager (4 episodes, 1968)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Gino Marotta	....	assistant director (16 episodes, 1967-1968)

Series Art Department
Mickey O'Toole	....	property master (17 episodes, 1967-1968)
Ken Bridgeman	....	set dresser (13 episodes, 1967-1968)
John Lageu	....	set dresser (3 episodes, 1968)

Series Sound Department
John Bramall	....	sound recordist (14 episodes, 1967-1968)
Wilfred Thompson	....	sound editor (10 episodes, 1967-1968)
Ken Rolls	....	sound editor (3 episodes, 1967)
Cyril Swern	....	sound recordist (3 episodes, 1968)
Stanley Smith	....	sound editor (2 episodes, 1967)

Series Stunts
Frank Maher	....	fight choreographer / stunt double: Patrick McGoohan (17 episodes, 1967-1968)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Jack Lowin	....	camera operator (13 episodes, 1967-1968)
Robert Monks	....	cameraman: second unit / camera operator: second unit (8 episodes, 1967)
Len Harris	....	camera operator (4 episodes, 1968)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Masada Wilmot	....	wardrobe (13 episodes, 1967-1968)
Dora Lloyd	....	wardrobe (4 episodes, 1968)

Series Editorial Department
Ian Rakoff	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1967)

Series Music Department
Ron Grainer	....	composer: theme / composer: theme music (16 episodes, 1967-1968)
Albert Elms	....	musical director / composer: incidental music (14 episodes, 1967-1968)
Eric Mival	....	music editor (13 episodes, 1967-1968)
Robert C. Dearberg	....	music editor (3 episodes, 1967)

Series Other crew
George Markstein	....	script editor (13 episodes, 1967-1968)
Doris Martin	....	continuity (11 episodes, 1967-1968)
Jacques Thébault	....	voice dubbing: Number Six (4 episodes, 1967-1968)
Phyllis Townshend	....	continuity (3 episodes, 1968)
Josie Fulford	....	continuity (2 episodes, 1967)

Series Thanks
Clough Williams-Ellis	....	special acknowledgment (1 episode, 1968)

Production Companies

• Everyman Films
• Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Distributors

• A&E Home Video (USA) (DVD)
• A&E Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1968) (USA)
• ITC Entertainment Group
• Image Entertainment (USA) (laserdisc)
• Independent Television (ITV) (1967) (UK) (TV)
• NHK (1969) (Japan) (TV)
• Super Channel (2004) (Japan) (TV)
• TF1 Vidéo (2004) (France) (DVD)
• Tohokushinsha Film (2002) (Japan) (DVD)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2002) (Australia) (DVD)

Also Known As:

"Prisoner No.6" - Japan (English title)

Runtime:

50 min (17 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Russian | German | Romany | Spanish | French | Polish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Dolby Digital (DVD Release)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Abingdon Street, London, England, UK

Company:

Everyman Films

Trivia:

Unusual for a 1960s TV series, two episodes were broadcast without opening credits sequences: "Living in Harmony" and "Fall Out."

Goofs:

Continuity: In the opening sequence of all episodes, the front door to #6's flat is a solid panel door when viewed from the exterior (as both he and the hearse driver approach it). However, the interior view that shows the knock-out gas being pumped in is of a multiple glass paned "french door".

Quotes:

[Postman delivers a letter]
Postman:Special delivery. Sign your number here, Number Six.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Fight Club (1999)

Soundtrack:

Main Title Theme

Excellent until the last episode. Still one of televisions greatest moments.

"The Prisoner" was an excellent series until the last episode, "Fall Out". It wasn't perfect -- some episodes were better than others, and those that were intended to be part of the abortive "second season" were generally not as good as the first 13 episodes produced (note that these aren't necessarily the first 13 episodes aired...). However, the program was consistently entertaining, interesting, thought provoking, and unquestionably unique. I had watched various episodes of "The Prisoner" over the years (It ran a fair amount on educational television in the 1970s) and was very impressed with what I saw, but I didn't get a chance to see the concluding episode until many years later. To say that I was disappointed is a significant understatement.

The problem of setting up any "mythology" in a show, as Chris Carter found out with the "X Files", is that sooner or later you have to answer the questions that you've raised. That's where the last episode loses it -- it answers nothing about the previous 16 episodes, but rather asks a number of new questions, and then doesn't answer them either!

It would appear that the reason for the odd number of episodes of the Prisoner was that it was cancelled with 16 episodes either in the can, or still in production, and "Fall Out" was written in a great rush at the last minute to close out the series. Although in earlier interviews, MacGoohan said that all the answers were in the final episode, in a more recent interview, he has stated (regarding "Fall Out") -- "If anybody admits to understanding it, then please pass the understanding on to me."

I don't know if there would have been a more coherent ending if the premature cancellation had not occurred, or if original producer George Markstein (who left after the first 13 episodes due to differences with Patrick MacGoohan) had stayed. Overall, it is a pathetic end to an otherwise superb series. Mind you, the fact that there wasn't a coherent ending (plus the presence of lots of symbolism to encourage endless debate on what it all *really* means) is probably the main reason for the cult attraction of the series. Even with the inadequate ending, this series is a highlight of how thought provoking television can be if it's done properly.