The Prisoner (1967)
A defiant secret agent wages a psychological battle for identity and freedom inside a deceptively charming, inescapable village.
The Prisoner - Series Information
- Original Title: The Prisoner
- First Air Year: 1967
- Last Air Year: 1968
- Created by: Patrick McGoohan, George Markstein
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 53 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 17
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 29, 1967 (United States - TV-PG), September 29, 1967 (Canada - PG), September 29, 1967 (United Kingdom - PG), September 29, 1967 (France - NR), September 29, 1967 (Spain - 12)
- Networks: ITV1
- Alternative Titles: Le Prisonnier (FR), Ο Αιχμάλωτος (GR)
- Production Companies: Everyman Films, ITC Entertainment
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
The Prisoner - Plot
After resigning, a secret agent is abducted and taken to what looks like an idyllic village, but is really a bizarre Kafkaesque prison. His warders demand information. He gives them nothing, but only tries to escape.
The Prisoner - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the Village's unsettling world come to life:
No man is just a number.
Where to Watch The Prisoner
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The Prisoner - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Patrick McGoohan
- George Markstein
Main Cast
- Patrick McGoohan
- Angelo Muscat
- Peter Swanwick
- Fenella Fielding
- Leo McKern
- Christopher Benjamin
- Grace Arnold
- Colin Gordon
- Alexis Kanner
- Denis Shaw
Writers
- Anthony Skene
- Patrick McGoohan
- Terence Feely
- Vincent Tilsley
- David Tomblin
The Prisoner - FAQs
Who is Number Six in The Prisoner?
Number Six is the central character of The Prisoner, played by Patrick McGoohan. He is a former secret agent who resigns from his job and is subsequently abducted and imprisoned in a mysterious village. His real name is never revealed, and his captors refer to him only as Number Six throughout the series.
What does the ending of The Prisoner mean?
The final episode, "Fall Out," is famously surreal and deliberately ambiguous. Number Six seemingly defeats the Village's authority, yet the closing scenes suggest the cycle of imprisonment may begin again. Patrick McGoohan intended the ending to challenge viewers to question identity, freedom, and conformity rather than offer a tidy resolution.
Where can you stream The Prisoner?
The Prisoner is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. Free ad-supported options include The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Shout! Factory TV, Tubi TV, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Kanopy, Plex, and Plex Channel. It can also be purchased on Amazon Video.
Who created The Prisoner?
The Prisoner was created by Patrick McGoohan and George Markstein. McGoohan, who also starred in the series as Number Six, was the primary creative force behind the show's concept and vision. Markstein served as story editor and contributed significantly to the series' development during its early episodes.
Is The Prisoner based on a true story?
The Prisoner is not based on a specific true story, though it draws on real Cold War anxieties about surveillance, state control, and individual freedom. George Markstein reportedly based the Village concept on Inverlair Lodge, a real wartime facility in Scotland used to detain agents who knew too much.
How many episodes does The Prisoner have?
The Prisoner consists of 17 episodes across a single series, which aired from 1967 to 1968 on ITV1 in the United Kingdom. Each episode runs approximately 53 minutes. The show was originally conceived as a longer run but was ultimately condensed to 17 episodes at Patrick McGoohan's insistence.
Was The Prisoner well received by critics?
The Prisoner is now regarded as one of the most innovative and influential television series ever made. Critics praise its bold allegorical storytelling, striking visual design, and McGoohan's commanding performance. While its surreal style initially divided audiences, it has since earned a devoted cult following and widespread critical acclaim.
Where was The Prisoner filmed?
The Prisoner was primarily filmed at Portmeirion, a distinctive Italianate village in Gwynedd, North Wales, which served as the iconic Village location. Additional scenes were shot at MGM-British Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England. Portmeirion's unique architecture gave the series its unmistakable and otherworldly visual identity.
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