The Prisoner

Patrick McGoohan had first sprung to prominence playing John Drake in Danger Man which had elevated McGoohan to be hot property during the mid 1960's that he was considered for the roles of James Bond and Simon Templar (The Saint).

After three series of Danger Man McGoohan was keen to try other roles and after filming two episodes of the fourth series he approached Lew Grade (Head of ITC) to inform him of his decision to leave the role of Drake. Grade eager to keep one of his prized assets on the payroll asked McGoohan what his future plans were. It was this time that McGoohan revealed plans of a new series he had been working on. Grade, whilst not completely understanding the concept commissioned a series. McGoohan believed he could easily create a 7 episode series but Grade, keen to sell to the American market wanted 26. Eventually after a weekend of negotiations with fellow writers a series containing 17 episodes was agreed.

During the filming of “Danger Man” some episodes were filmed at the Welsh resort Hotel Portmeirion. This location designed by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis had impressed McGoohan with its unique architecture and atmosphere and he believed that this location could be greater utilised for another series at a later date. Portmeirion remained in McGoohan's mind and when he was developing “The Prisoner” he knew exactly the perfect base to locate the series.

The character played by McGoohan who we ever know as “Number Six” even though he regularly states that he is “not a number”. Over the series we get the assumption that “Number Six” is a former British Secret Agent who has resigned from his position. Upon resignation he is kidnapped and wakes up as prisoner in a small isolated place only known as “The Village”. Even though the character has similarities to be his previous incarnation John Drake from “Danger Man” McGoohan has always insisted that they were different characters.

The Village's authorities then attempt to discover the reason for “Number Six” resigning. All these attempts are masterminded by “Number Two” who is played by a variety of actors including Leo McKern (who appeared in three episodes), George Baker, Anton Rodger and Patrick Cargill.

“Number Six” initially makes every possible attempt to escape the village but whilst being held captive he tries to find the reason for his capture as well as the identity of the mysterious “Number One”.

All of The Village is vigorously policed by closed-circuit television cameras and anyone that steps out of line and tries to escape is prevented to do so by “Rover” which is a large white balloon that can pacify or suffocate any victim.

One of The Prisoner's features that have made it so popular is that the series raises many questions that remain unanswered allowing the viewer to develop its own conclusion. This was no more evident that in the final episode which raised more questions and answers leaving many viewers confused as to what the final outcome meant.

It is unknown as to the reason as to the whether ended by mutual agreement or cancellation as there have been various reports that support both arguments. There are scripts for at least four further episodes that were never made for some unknown reason.

The series popularity is still strong today which is proved by the number of visitors to the “The Village” Portmeirion each year.

There was a remake in 2009 with Jamie Caviezel in the “Number Six” role this time the village was filmed in Namibia rather than Portmeirion and this new version failed to capture the imagination like the initial version had done.

TV FACTS

Broadcast Channel : ITV

First Episode Broadcast Date : 29 September 1967

Last Episode Broadcast Date : 01 February 1968

Episodes : 17

Created by : Patrick McGoohan & George Markstein

Written by : Patrick McGoohan, Pat Jackson, Don Chaffey & David Tomblin

EPISODE GUIDE (Broadcast Date Order)

1  Arrival (29 September 1967)

2  The Chimes of Big Ben (6 October 1967)

3  A, B and C (13 October 1967)

4  Free For All (20 October 1967)

5  The Schizoid Man (27 October 1967)

6  The General (3 November 1967)

7  Many Happy Returns (10 November 1967)

8  Dance of the Dead (17 November 1967)

9  Checkmate (24 November 1967)

10 Hammer into Anvil (1 December 1967)

11 It's Your Funeral (8 December 1967)

12 A Change of Mind (15 December 1967)

13 Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling (22 December 1967)

14 Living in Harmony (29 December 1967)

15 The Girl Who Was Death (18 January 1968)

16 Once Upon a Time (25 January 1968)

17 Fall Out (1 February 1968)

Main Cast List

Patrick McGoohan - Number Six

Angelo Muscat - The Butler

Peter Swanwick - The Supervisor/Controller

Fenella Fielding - The Announcer (Audio Only)

Guy Doleman (Ep 1) - Number Two

George Baker (Ep 1)

Leo McKern (Eps 2,16,17)

Colin Gordon (Eps 3,6)

Eric Portman (Ep 4)

Rachel Herbert (Ep 4)

Anton Rodgers (Ep 5)

Georgina Cookson (Ep 7)

Mary Morris (Ep 8)

Peter Wyngarde (Ep 9)

Patrick Cargill (Ep 10)

Derren Nesbitt (Ep 11)

Andre Van Gyseghem (Ep 11)

John Sharp (Ep 12)

Clifford Evans (Ep 13)

David Bauer (Ep 14)

Kenneth Griffin (Ep 15)