The Prisoner is an allegorical British 1960s science fiction television series starring and co-created by Patrick McGoohan. It follows a former British secret agent who, after abruptly resigning from his position, is held captive in a small village by the sea by an unidentified power that wishes to establish the reason for his resignation. Episodes typically feature the unnamed prisoner, labelled “Number Six” by his captors, unsuccessfully attempting to escape from “the Village“, but successfully resisting interrogation and attempts of brainwashing.
The show was created by McGoohan and George Markstein, with exteriors filmed primarily on location at the Hotel Portmeirion in Penrhyndeudraeth, North Wales. Seventeen episodes were produced. The first was originally broadcast in London on 1 October 1967 and the last aired on 4 February 1968. The world broadcast premiere was on the CTV Television Network in Canada on September 5, 1967.
Although sold as a spy thriller in the mould of McGoohan’s previous series, Danger Man, the shows combination of 1960s countercultural themes and its surreal setting had a far-reaching effect upon science fiction-fantasy-genre television and also popular culture in general. More at Wikipedia
Highest, highest recommendations. Where much else that came after (Invisibles, LOST, so much more) was born. I’ve been watching and re-watching this series, sharing it with others, for nearly 30 years.
Comment by Trevor Blake — put October 18, 2008 @ 4:44 am
Ditto. Bizarre; surreal; sublime, but presenting a universe so incredibly frightening solely for the fact that it was largely true. Touched on mind-control and strange bedfellows long before these became more well-known topics, and absolutely set the stage for The Invisibles.
Comment by j. — put October 18, 2008 @ 8:46 am
Thanks for this, I have rewatched this series at conventions for years, possibly the most original, strange, sci-fi, secret agent show of all time..
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Comment by Xaviar — put December 5, 2008 @ 12:23 am