The Prisoner

The Prisoner
source
Genre	Science fiction, psychological thriller, surrealism
Creator	Patrick McGoohan
Starring	Patrick McGoohan, Leo McKern, Angelo Muscat
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Num episodes	17
Network	ITV
First aired	29 September 1967
Last aired	1 February 1968

The Prisoner. This groundbreaking British television series, created by and starring Patrick McGoohan, blends espionage thriller conventions with profound existential and sociopolitical commentary. It follows a former secret agent who is imprisoned in a mysterious, idyllic coastal village after abruptly resigning from his position. The series is renowned for its surreal narrative, iconic visual style, and enduring exploration of themes like individuality versus conformity.

Plot summary

After angrily resigning from a top-secret government job, the protagonist is abducted and awakens in "The Village," a picturesque yet sinister enclave where inhabitants are known only by numbers. His captors, led by a succession of figures calling themselves Number Two, relentlessly seek the reason for his resignation. He, designated Number Six, engages in a continuous battle of wits to escape, protect his mind, and uncover the identity of the omnipotent Number One. Episodes often feature bizarre psychological tests, advanced surveillance technology, and surreal scenarios, building toward a famously ambiguous and controversial finale that questions the very nature of freedom and self.

Production history

The series was developed by Patrick McGoohan through his production company Everyman Films, following his success on the spy series Danger Man. It was filmed primarily at Portmeirion, a distinctive Italianate village in Wales, which provided the instantly recognizable visual backdrop. Production was fraught with challenges, including budgetary constraints and creative disputes between McGoohan and the network, ITV. The original order was for more episodes, but McGoohan condensed the story arc, leading to the iconic 17-episode run. The final episodes were shot under great pressure, culminating in the dense and symbolic finale "Fall Out".

Themes and analysis

The series is a rich text for analysis, interrogating the tension between the individual and the state. It critiques Cold War paranoia, the dehumanizing effects of bureaucracy, and the illusion of choice within seemingly free societies. The Village serves as a metaphor for the welfare state, totalitarianism, and even the human mind itself. Recurring motifs include the use of Rover, a giant white balloon that quells dissent, symbolizing suffocating control. Academic readings often place the series within the contexts of existentialism, absurdist theatre, and postmodernism, noting its critique of mass media and behavioral psychology.

Reception and legacy

Upon its initial broadcast on the ITV network, the series baffled many viewers and critics but developed a fervent cult following. Its influence is vast, inspiring later television innovators like David Lynch and series such as Twin Peaks and Lost. The show's iconography—the blazers, the penny-farthing logo, the phrase "I am not a number, I am a free man!"—has permeated popular culture. It has been the subject of numerous documentaries, books, and academic papers, and a 2009 American television remake was attempted. Annual conventions are held at Portmeirion, celebrating its enduring and enigmatic appeal.

Cast and characters

Patrick McGoohan portrayed the protagonist, Number Six, bringing intense physicality and moral conviction to the role. The antagonistic Number Two was played by a rotating cast of notable actors, with Leo McKern appearing in three key episodes. Other performers included Colin Gordon, Guy Doleman, and Mary Morris. Angelo Muscat had the memorable silent role of the butler, while Peter Wyngarde appeared as the eccentric time-travel expert in the episode "The Girl Who Was Death". The variety of actors playing Number Two emphasized the faceless, systemic nature of the authority opposing Number Six.

Category:1960s British television series Category:ITV television programmes Category:Science fiction television series