1: What is "The Prisoner"?
Description
This article is from the The Prisoner FAQ, by Patrick LoPresti patl@lcs.mit.edu with numerous contributions by others.
1: What is "The Prisoner"?
"The Prisoner" is a television series created by Patrick McGoohan,
who also plays the title role. It first aired in the UK on
October 1, 1967, and has retained a strong (some would say "cult")
following ever since. There are reasons for this.
It consists of 17 one-hour episodes. While each makes sense when
viewed alone ("The Prisoner" is no soap opera), they also come
together as a complete story. The series has a definite beginning
and a definite end; the conflicts are resolved and the questions
are answered (more or less). There are no transparent hooks for a
movie sequel, and there is no room for a "next generation" :-).
[Although ITC is going to make a movie anyway; release is
scheduled for 1997. McGoohan is involved in writing the script,
and has stated publicly that Kevin Costner will *not* be the
actor.]
On the surface, it is a well done action/suspense show, and is
quite enjoyable as such. But closer inspection reveals multiple
levels of meaning and numerous possible interpretations, many of
which are still debated today. It has a lot of intellectual
appeal, with a feel reminiscent of Huxley and Orwell. "The
Prisoner" is a refreshing change from the mindless sludge so
common on modern television.
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