In pictures: The Prisoner at 50

BBC News ^ | September 4, 2016

[AJFavish]

It was 50 years ago, on 5 September 1966, that the cameras rolled for the first time in the Italianate village of Portmeirion as filming got under way for the cult 1960s adventure TV show The Prisoner.

The programme starred actor Patrick McGoohan playing the part of Number Six who is held captive in a mysterious village where the residents are known only by a number.

[ifinnegan]

“For a stable, well-adjusted person with no deeply repressed issues, it could be a positive thing, if done...”

No. Never.

That’s the 60’s hippie lie, pushed by Tim Leary and others.

Simply not true and we see what has happened and where we are now.

[ifinnegan]

Anyone remember Stan Tenen and the Prisoner Rap Session?

http://youtu.be/if22tgMkoI0

[Vaquero]

The final episode literally made no sense. Actually, the entire show!

Bingo! And that bubble thing always got him in the end. You knew that was going to happen. But yet you watched every week.

[Robert DeLong]

According to co-creator George Markstein, "Number One is the villain in charge."

In a 1970s television interview with British television presenter Mike Smith, Patrick McGoohan stated: "The reason that it was confusing, and that [the viewers] were disappointed, I think, was that they expected the ending to be similar to a 'Bond' thing, with this mystery man, the head man or whatever they call him in Bond; and of course it wasn't about that at all. It was about the most evil human 'being', human 'essence'; and that is ourselves, because within each of us, that is the most dangerous thing on Earth, is what is within us. And so therefore that's what I made No. 1: One's 'self', an image of himself that he was trying to beat." McGoohan planted clues to this throughout the series, including the Prisoner's residence in London bearing the numeral "1" on the door, and that the phrasing of No. 2's response to the Prisoner's question, "Who is No. 1?" can be taken either as a non-response – "You are No. 6" – or as an answer – "You are, No. 6."

[Phil DiBasquette]

From the early 80s, a British neo-mod homage:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JzUCCl9YaBQ

[Dr. Sivana]

Hillary Clintomn is reminiscent of the only female #2, Mary Morris, right down to the laugh and fashion sense.

[Dr. Sivana]

...and say 'Be Seeing You', as a goodbye. Nobody knows what the hell I'm doing.

And you!

[MomwithHope]

Agree one of the best series ever. Way ahead of it’s time. I’ve had the full set of seasons on dvd for a long time. Time to watch them again.

[Dr. Sivana]

he would be very dangerous as a disgruntled ex-employee of HMSS and it would be in the state’s interest to either kill him or have him imprisoned or isolated.

A crucial part of the strangeness was it was purposefully unclear who was running the joint: "Us? (NATO)", "THEM?" (Soviets or their client-states) or a powerful and interested third party? (Soros, Rockefeller, Bilderberger types)

[Dr. Sivana]

And that bubble thing always got him in the end. You knew that was going to happen. But yet you watched every week.

Sometimes he was brought back with no bubble. "Chimes of Big Ben" and "Many Happy Returns" comes to mind. Also, many of the later episodes have #6 striking back at the powers in the village ("Checkmate") The one where #6 ran for being #2 had a great "bubble" appearance near the end.

[Dr. Sivana]

Someone in Ohio has KAR12OC as their license plate

If he has it on a Lotus Super Seven, he's earned it. Great car for the show.

[AceMineral]

The next to last episode featured a “duel” between Number Two(Leo McKern) and Number Six. Something of a final show down. Number Six won. The Village then realized that Number Six would never tell them what they wanted to know. In the final episode Number Six is “congratulated” on his integrity and offered the job of Number One or the freedom to return home. Number Six angrily rejects the offer to be Number One and denounces the Village system. He returns home.

[AceMineral]

The next to last episode featured a “duel” between Number Two(Leo McKern) and Number Six. Something of a final show down. Number Six won. The Village then realized that Number Six would never tell them what they wanted to know. In the final episode Number Six is “congratulated” on his integrity and offered the job of Number One or the freedom to return home. Number Six angrily rejects the offer to be Number One and denounces the Village system. He returns home.

[wally_bert]

I have the CD soundtracks that get some play every so often.

[wally_bert]

The Chimes Of Big Ben.

[wally_bert]

Beatles music and Tommy guns.

[katana]

The latter half of the 1960’s was a global acid trip. So in that respect the show was of its time. McGoohan the actor was like a volcano about to erupt. From Secret Agent, through The Prisoner, to King Edward Longshanks in Brave Heart, one of the best of his generation.

[katana]

Number One, as she appeared during the 1960's.

[wally_bert]

I could live with her as No.1.

[left that other site]

I LOVED that show!