They do not make them like this anymore. You would never get a series with such a long opening title sequence for a start.
I watched The Prisoner in the early 1980s. I was determined that I would understand it all. Some hope, even its main creative force, star and producer Patrick McGoohan could not figure it by the end. McGoohan did give an interview on television cryptically stating it was all in No 6's mind. A prisoner of the mind is the best it gets as far as an explanation goes.
McGoohan made his name on British television as John Drake in Dangerman. Here, we see McGoohan play an unnamed operative who quits British Intelligence. It is fair to assume he is Drake.
After he arrives home, he is gassed and he wakes up in the Village. It is like a self contained Butlins holiday camp. The Prisoner is assigned a number, the Number 6. He is controlled by Number 2, who explains the rules of the Village. Number 6 is a valuable commodity with the things he knows. Number 2 wants to know why he quit.
Number 6 just wants to escape and live a normal life. He is not a number but a free man. It is not possible, the Village is controlled. The inhabitants cannot be trusted and there are barriers in place to prevent any escape, especially the giant balloon, a rover that could disable you.
This is a mysterious, unnerving, even a psychedelic thriller. It is a one of a kind type of series. It was shot in an Italian style village in Portmeirion, North Wales.
Innovative, expensive to make and so well realised. There have been degree modules examining this series.
The opening episode just bolts out of the blocks. Number 6 is a pawn, friends who he knew are playing him. Even Number 2 changes midway because Number 6 is so determined to escape.
A classic opening to a television great.
I watched The Prisoner in the early 1980s. I was determined that I would understand it all. Some hope, even its main creative force, star and producer Patrick McGoohan could not figure it by the end. McGoohan did give an interview on television cryptically stating it was all in No 6's mind. A prisoner of the mind is the best it gets as far as an explanation goes.
McGoohan made his name on British television as John Drake in Dangerman. Here, we see McGoohan play an unnamed operative who quits British Intelligence. It is fair to assume he is Drake.
After he arrives home, he is gassed and he wakes up in the Village. It is like a self contained Butlins holiday camp. The Prisoner is assigned a number, the Number 6. He is controlled by Number 2, who explains the rules of the Village. Number 6 is a valuable commodity with the things he knows. Number 2 wants to know why he quit.
Number 6 just wants to escape and live a normal life. He is not a number but a free man. It is not possible, the Village is controlled. The inhabitants cannot be trusted and there are barriers in place to prevent any escape, especially the giant balloon, a rover that could disable you.
This is a mysterious, unnerving, even a psychedelic thriller. It is a one of a kind type of series. It was shot in an Italian style village in Portmeirion, North Wales.
Innovative, expensive to make and so well realised. There have been degree modules examining this series.
The opening episode just bolts out of the blocks. Number 6 is a pawn, friends who he knew are playing him. Even Number 2 changes midway because Number 6 is so determined to escape.
A classic opening to a television great.