Prisoner: Cell Block H 

The lives of women behind bars in a female prison.

Stars:

Elspeth Ballantyne, Betty Bobbitt, Sheila Florance

10 wins.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Elspeth Ballantyne	...	Meg Morris / ... 669 episodes, 1979-1986
Betty Bobbitt	...	Judy Bryant 430 episodes, 1980-1985
Sheila Florance	...	Lizzie Birdsworth 405 episodes, 1979-1985
Maggie Kirkpatrick	...	Joan "The Freak" Ferguson / ... 389 episodes, 1982-1986
Val Lehman	...	Bea Smith 376 episodes, 1979-1983
Patsy King	...	Erica Davidson 354 episodes, 1979-1985
Gerda Nicolson	...	Ann Reynolds / ... 319 episodes, 1981-1986
Colette Mann	...	Doreen Burns / ... 295 episodes, 1979-1985

Storyline

This Australian series has, after 692 episodes, received cult status all over the world. The series takes place in Wentworth, a prison in Australia. Wentworth is a high-security female prison. The women are there for all sorts of crimes. We get to follow how they got there, their life in the prison and what becomes of them afterwards. We also get to follow the staff, their work in the prison and their personal relationships.

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Plot Keywords:

prison | female convict | prison life | prison cell | woman | 

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Taglines:

The cult phenomenon from down under.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official fan site

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 August 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Caged Women

Filming Locations:

Willsmere, Kew, Victoria, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Grundy Television Productions, Network Ten, The Grundy Organization

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min (692 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Billie Hammerberg (May Collins) had previously auditioned for the part of Nola McKenzie.

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Goofs

Once the Wentworth staff adopt khaki uniforms, the woman officers have the option of wearing skirts or trousers. Normally a skirt-wearer, Joan's arrival for work in trousers always signifies that her character will be taking part in an action sequence.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Franky Doyle: She bumped into me.

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Alternate Versions

In the version shown by Channel 5 in the UK, episode 601, there was a cut of around 20 seconds when Wendy is threatening the women. She says, "Same goes for the rest of you scabs. Lou wasn't too rapt when she heard you broke the strike so I hear [from here onward, it was cut] (to Nancy) Oh what are you looking so scared about? You're name on the list is it? Eh? I wouldn't bet my boots on big chief Moron doing anything to help yous lot. He's too full of himself to worry about you lot. You should have known what side your bread was buttered on girls! Oh don't tell me [this is where the cut ended] Bird Brain's got something to say!"

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Connections

Referenced in This Week: Episode dated 7 March 2013 (2013)

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Soundtracks

On the Inside
(Prisoner theme)
Written by Allan Caswell
Conducted by William Motzing
Performed by Lynne Hamilton

User Reviews

Brilliant, Absolutely Brilliant!!

Excellent, gripping, funny and over the top. Inside the gates of Wentworth Detention Centre are housed the most dangerous criminals in H Block. From the camp style of true English upper class snobbery of Erica Davidson, who is Govenor, to the evil, sadistic, cruel ways of the "Freak" Joan Ferguson.

From episode one the main story line has you gripped, and through out all 692 episodes you will be a fanatic. Riots, fires, murders, LSD trips, bashings - everything you could ask for in a prison drama and more.

Well worth renting or buying, you will NOT be sorry! 12 out of 10! A+++