Top-Rated Episodes
S1.E690
Joan surprises everyone when she volunteers to be Rita's constant help. Harry makes an unexpected announcement.
S1.E200
Mum pleads with Bea to give herself up to the police. Judy and Doreen finally admit they were setting up Margo. Meg tries to matchmake when she realises Terry Harrison is interested in Vera.
S1.E689
Rita counsels Kath and stops her killing herself. The women find a weapon to defeat Rodney with. Rita tells Alice she has some big plans that nothing - and no-one - can interfere with.
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Title: Prisoner: Cell Block H (1979–1986)
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Cast
| Complete series cast summary: | |||
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Elspeth Ballantyne | ... | Meg Morris / ... 669 episodes, 1979-1986 |
| Betty Bobbitt | ... | Judy Bryant 430 episodes, 1980-1985 | |
| Sheila Florance | ... | Lizzie Birdsworth 405 episodes, 1979-1985 | |
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Maggie Kirkpatrick | ... | Joan "The Freak" Ferguson / ... 389 episodes, 1982-1986 |
| Val Lehman | ... | Bea Smith 376 episodes, 1979-1983 | |
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Patsy King | ... | Erica Davidson 354 episodes, 1979-1985 |
|
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Gerda Nicolson | ... | Ann Reynolds / ... 319 episodes, 1981-1986 |
|
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Colette Mann | ... | Doreen Burns / ... 295 episodes, 1979-1985 |
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Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
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. Written by Jens Andersson
Taglines:
The cult phenomenon from down under.Certificate:
See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
AustraliaLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
8 August 1979 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Caged Women See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
(692 episodes)Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
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(Prisoner theme)
Written by Allan Caswell
Conducted by William Motzing
Performed by Lynne Hamilton
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Late Actress Shelia Florance admitted she left the series so she could take care of her then husband who was extremely ill at the time and she was married to him for over 30 years. She explained playing Liz had taken a toll on her and her story had been told. See more »Goofs
The named background characters names vary. See more »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!" See more »Soundtracks
On the Inside(Prisoner theme)
Written by Allan Caswell
Conducted by William Motzing
Performed by Lynne Hamilton
See more »
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Being a fan ever since I used to sneak out of bed as a kid to watch it, I guess I'm pretty fortunate to be living in the city where Prisoner was made! This means I've been able to go and visit the site where Prisoner was filmed (the old Channel 10 building, which still looks exactly the same, but without the stuck-on windows), and have also bumped into the woman who played Meg Jackson/Morris in a bike shop! (She is exactly the same in real life as in the show). Friends of mine have also stood behind Val Lehman in a social security line, and have met the late Sheila Florence, who was dead posh in real life - the total opposite to her character Lizzie. It was also great to see some characters, including Joan Ferguson, resurrected in the Aussie comedy 'Pizza' (look up 'Pizza (2000)' on IMDb). A definite cult favourite, Prisoner was not always known for its great acting and quality storylines, but has endless camp/cult value with some classic characters, hilarious one-liners and some fantastic bitchy scenes. It was also very daring for its time: a soap containing almost all female cast and many lesbian characters was a big thing for Australian mainstream TV in 1979. In fact, I doubt you'd see a soap like that today at all. So check it out on cable if you can, and relive one of the trashiest, exciting and bitchy dramas to ever hit TV! "Miss Bennet, send Smith to solitary!" "With pleasure, Mrs Davidson!