FAQ for alt.tv.prisoner Version 3.1
SoapySud
3.1
compiled 25th of August, 2002
Author and current poster: Frank (SoapySud)
Introduction:
This document is intended as a guide for new posters and readers, and a resource
for all. It is by no means exhaustive, but is enough to get you started. It is
often updated. It has been compiled from questions and comments posted in the
newsgroup, and those anticipated by the author.
The author gratefully acknowledges the help and support of the regular posters
of alt.tv.prisoner in maintaining this document.
Feel free to comment on this document, either on the newsgroup or by e-mail.
If you would like something added, removed or corrected, please contact the FAQ
poster.
You can e-mail the author (SoapySud) at fr@ank@fshailes.fsnet.co.uk, removing
the first "@" from the address.
An online copy of this FAQ may be found at [no current online copy - anyone able
to host?]
This document and all previous versions remains copyright of the author.
Permission is freely granted to quote from and repost this document in
alt.tv.prisoner, provided it is not altered or quoted out of context.
What's new..?
# means "updated/corrected in this version."
** means "new in this version."
---------------
Contents:
Section 1. About the Newsgroup, and posting guidelines.
1) What is the purpose of this newsgroup?
2) What format should I make my post in?
3) How should I structure my post?
4) How should I reply to a post?
5) Can I post sexually explicit "adult" fiction here?
6) What else do I need to know?
Section 2. About The Prisoner
1) What is "The Prisoner" anyway?
2) Are there any Prisoner fan clubs?
3) Are there any Prisoner conventions?
4) What's this I hear about a Prisoner Movie revival?
5) Where can I buy Prisoner video tapes
6)#Is The Prisoner available on DVD?
7)#What books have been published about The Prisoner?
8) Where can I buy Prisoner fanzines?
9)#Where can I buy the Prisoner music/interview CDs?
10) Where was The Prisoner filmed?
11) What order should The Prisoner episodes be shown in?
12)#What are the "Alternative" episodes?
13) What other titles were used?
14) Are there any missing episodes?
15) Was "The Prisoner" ever censored?
16) What is "Rover"?
17) What Does It All Mean?
18) Is "Number Six" in "The Prisoner" the same character as "John Drake" in
Danger Man?
19) What is the car the Prisoner drives at the start?
20) What happened to KAR 120C?
21) Can I still buy a Lotus 7?
22) What is the car used as the Village taxi?
23) Where can I buy one?
24) Has anyone noticed that Derren Nesbit resembles a Gerry Anderson puppet?
25) What does the penny-farthing symbol represent?
Section 3: Resources.
1) How do I report Spam, or other Usenet or e-mail abuse?
2) Are there any other Prisoner newsgroups?
3) What Prisoner websites are available?
---------------
Section One. About the Newsgroup, and posting guidelines.
1) What is the purpose of this newsgroup?
It is a forum for discussion of the ITC television series, "The Prisoner", its
characters, stories, cast, crew, writers and themes contained therein.
It is also for discussing Prisoner Fandom, such as conventions, club and group
meetings, fanzines etc. Basically, anything relating to the Prisoner. Fan
fiction, poetry, prose, filks or other creative writing are welcome, but please
read Section 1, Question 5.
2) What format should I make my post in?
Plain text only please. No HTML, Rich Text or web pages.
Please set your newsreader to "Text only".
No binary attachments should be posted here.
unsolicited commercial postings (aka "Spam") are *not* welcome, and will be
traced to source and reported.
3) How should I structure my post?
Make your posting as clear and unambiguous as possible.
Use correct punctuation and sentence structure to avoid misinterpretation.
Use a descriptive heading, for instance, "The Prisoner movie news".
Please don't use the heading as part of your message.
If your post is not related to The Prisoner, but relevant to the newsgroup,
please add "OT" or "Off-Topic" to the heading.
Finally, if you post in a newsgroup, expect a reply in a newsgroup, rather than
by e-mail. This benefits everyone. If a reply is incorrect, it can be corrected
by another poster.
4) How should I reply to a post?
It is standard Usenet practice to reply below (i.e. after) the original post. If
you post above (i.e. before) the message you are replying to, the thread can
become a confusing mess.
Delete any parts of the previous post which are not relevant. This is called
"snipping". If you feel the need, you can summarise the deleted material with a
<snip> tag. For instance, if I snip some comments about Rover to which I am not
responding, I may insert <snip Rover>.
For more on this subject, please see
http://web.archive.org/web/20010610004838/http://fmf.fwn.rug.nl/~anton/toppostin
g.html
5) Can I post sexually explicit "adult" fiction here?
Please don't. This is a publicly accessible and archived newsgroup.
Whilst most of us are adults, there is no way of knowing the age of
readers or their sensibilities. There are other places for adult
material. See the Resource Guide at the end of this document.
6) What else do I need to know?
a) Please do not post unsolicited commercial postings (aka "spam") here.
It will be traced to source and reported to your ISP.
b) Deliberately offensive, abusive, or threatening posts will be treated the
same way as Spam (see above). This is a friendly newsgroup, and we'd like it to
stay that way.
c) Please don't post in ALL CAPS LIKE THIS, unless you intend to
SHOUT.
For a comprehensive guide to Usenet Netiquette, please read RFC 1855,
at http://www.dtcc.edu/cs/rfc1855.html#3
---------------------
Section 2. About The Prisoner
1) What is "The Prisoner" anyway?
The Prisoner is the most enigmatic television series ever made. It bemused and
delighted audiences with its blend of mystery and science fiction. Over 30 years
later, the series is more popular than ever, and has been hailed as the most
bizarre, mind-boggling series of all time - being compared to everything from
the works of Franz Kafka, George Orwell, Ayn Rand, and Herman Hesse, to TV
series like The Avengers and Department S!
It was filmed as 17 episodes by Everyman Films (a company set up by
star/writer Patrick McGoohan and producer/writer David Tomblin) from late 1966
to early 1968. The series initially seemed to be a contemporary spy drama about
the struggles of a disillusioned agent (played by Patrick McGoohan) who, upon
resigning from his job, was abducted and awoke to find himself in a mysterious
village of unknown location. He spent the following episodes trying to escape
from this strange prison (known only as "The Village"), to find out who was
running it or where it was located, or to avoid the interrogative tricks and
traps set by successive Village leaders. Everyone in "the Village" was known by
a number, not a name. Our unnamed hero is known only as "Number Six", and the
often-replaced Village leader was known as Number Two, answering only to the
unseen brooding presence of the ultimate boss, Number One.
The series encapsulated the surrealism and paranoia of the late 1960s and
mixed psychedelia with spy drama, action-adventure and the glorious architecture
and woods of the Italianate village Portmeirion. This heady mix has been
puzzling fans and researchers for 35 years.
The Prisoner should not be confused with the Australian jail drama/soap
"Prisoner", known as "Prisoner: Cell Block H" in the UK. For this reason, some
authors refer to "The Prisoner" as "The Prisoner (UK)" or similar.
For more information about characters and stories, please see the
sites listed in Section 3 - Resources.
2) Are there any Prisoner fan clubs?
Yes. The largest and oldest is UK-based 'Six of One: The Prisoner Appreciation
Society'. However, recent controversial actions amongst its co-ordination team
and concern over the bank balance/cash flow of the society have caused many
members to leave. As well as Six of One's remaining co-ordinators side of the
story (presented to current members), it is worth hearing the other side of the
coin by asking on the newsgroup for information from ex-members, or researching
old posts via Google groups.
UK Six of One site:
http://www.sixofone.org.uk/
USA Six of One site:
http://www.theprisonerappreciationsociety.com/
There are other informal groups, both in the UK and across the world. If you
would like your website listed in the FAQ, please let me know on the newsgroup
or by email. I will not list groups or websites without permission from the
owners.
[For more information, see http:// (to be confirmed once someone sends me a
links page!)]
3) Are there any Prisoner conventions?
Yes. Six of One held annual conventions in Portmeirion (the setting where "The
Village" was filmed) from 1977 until 1999, and infrequently thereafter. Six of
One intend to have an annual convention in Portmeirion in future. Some fans who
attended the 1980s and 1990s conventions, and members of the newsgroup, also
gather there for informal holidays and mutual fun outside the auspices of "Six
of One".
4) What's this I hear about a Prisoner movie revival?
For several years rumours have abounded that Patrick McGoohan has written a
script for a Prisoner cinema movie which may (or may not) star Mel Gibson, and
may (or may not) be directed by Simon "Con Air" West, and which may (or may not)
be filmed in Portmeirion as the original series was.
Actor/Director Alexis Kanner, who worked with Patrick McGoohan in the closing
episodes of The Prisoner, says he has seen the script. However, every time the
movie seems about to be funded, everything goes quiet again! Best not to get
your hopes up (anyway it might be like "The Avengers" movie revival...)
5) Where can I buy The Prisoner video tapes?
Note- I have split this answer into two sections- (a) for PAL, which
is the TV standard used in the UK, most of Europe, Australia and New
Zealand, and (b) for NTSC, which is used in the USA, Canada and Japan.
If you don't know which system your country uses, see
http://kropla.com/tv.htm for a listing.
(a)PAL (UK, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand etc...)
The August/September 2000 UK release of PAL video tapes are still available, as
both a five-cassette box set and individual tapes. They are published by Carlton
Visual Entertainment Ltd. You can order these
at your local music/video outlet, HMV for instance. They are also
available from:
http://amazon.co.uk,
http://blackstar.co.uk
Amazon has customer reviews of the tapes. Amazon also sells second-hand copies.
It is worth however comparing prices between the two, and other companies.
(b) NTSC (USA, Canada, Japan etc...)
Amazon.com lists individual tapes (3 or 4 episodes per tape).
Amazon also sells second-hand copies.
6) Is The Prisoner available on DVD?
Yes. Carlton Home Entertainment have released a Region 2 five-disk set (for PAL
viewers in Europe, Greenland, the Middle East, South Africa and Japan). The
DVDs have optional English subtitles for the hearing-impaired.
There is also a 10-disk Region 1 set for NTSC viewers in North America (i.e. the
USA and Canada).
#These are available from your nomral high-street retailer, and also from
play.com, which is usually cheapest as they offer free delivery:
http://www.playserver3.com/play247.asp?page=title&r=R2&title=105899
and also from the same sources as the VHS video cassettes. Shop around for the
latest prices and discounts. Both sets include the "Alternate Chimes of Big
Ben".
# Allan Young adds:
- "I just purchased the Australian DVD set which includes the U.S. extras which
were not on the U.K. release. Given the exchange rate at the moment (it cost me
49 quid including insured postage) it might be an idea to include a link to
www.ezydvd.com.au if you're going to advertize amazon too."
#Thanks to "Retronaut" (Kipp Teague), the Prisoner 35th Anniversary Companion
(with "Alternate Arrival") is known to be retailing on Amazon and Blackstar for
pre-orders. Try www.play.com to see if they have a cheaper offer. Due to be
released 30 September 2002.
. Certification: PG
. Duration: unknown
. Format: DVD
Edition Details:
. Region 2 encoding (Europe, Middle East & Japan only)
. PAL
. ASIN: B00006HCQ0
. Catalogue Number: 3711503803
35th Anniversary DVD Special Features:
. Alternative, 50 minute version of the very first episode "Arrival"
. 250 word guide to Alternate Arrival
. A 30 minute interview with Production Manager Bernard Williams
. Textless intro and outro sequences
. Bumpers (the ATV commerical break cue pennyfarthing animations)
. Foreign language filing cabinet sequence
. "For the Love of" - a 7 minute featurette about Prisoner memorabilia
collectors
. Renault 21 TV ad
. Patrick McGoohan biography
. George Markstein biography
. Stills Gallery
. Merchandise Gallery
. Collectors' Edition Booklet
. Production notes of each episode
7) What books have been published about The Prisoner?
Many. And increasing. Ranging from novels based on the series to detailed
critical analysis, from memoirs of those involved in production to episode
guides. There are also works on Patrick McGoohan's career, and novels by George
Markstein (co-writer and script editor on episodes of The Prisoner) with similar
themes.
The following are just some of the professionally published books (not all
remain in print):
FICTION BOOKS:
#"The Prisoner" [Also known as "The Prisoner - I Am Not A Number!".] (author:
Thomas M. Disch) (Various publishers since 1969: Ace Books, Dobson Books, NEL,
Boxtree) ISBN 0-450-04543-9. An original novel "continuing" from where the TV
series left off - The Prisoner is recaptured by The Village, and seems to be
suffering from amnesia. Reviewing some of the 17(!) cans of covert film of his
previous incarceration, he decides to unmask the new Number One.
#"The Prisoner - Who Is Number Two?" [aka: "The Prisoner: Number Two"](author:
David McDaniel) (Various publishers since 1969: Ace Books, NEL, Boxtree).
Novel; a sequel to Disch's book. Number Six brings his Lotus to the village and
builds a racetrack, before seizing on an inventive escape plan. Insists on
calling No 6 "Drake" at the start.
- the above 3 novels are also available in a combined omnibus version "The
Prisoner: Omnibus" published by Carlton Books (ISBN 1842225316).
#"The Prisoner - A Day In The Life" [Aka "The Prisoner #3"] (author: Hank Stine)
(Various publishers since 1970: Ace Books, NEL) ISBN 0-450-05106-4. Novel;
sequel to Disch's and McDaniel's books. A mysterious Alcatraz-like island prison
has appeared in the Village harbour. Number Six is offered an unusual
assassination mission - to kill the people behind the identity "Number One".
Denim, dope, and delinquency in The Village, and "Do Not Forsake Me" references
aplenty outside. But what is reality? Perhaps the weakest (and certainly the
shortest) of the Ace novels.
NON-FICTION BOOKS:
#DOCUMENTARY BOOKS:
#"The Prisoner and Danger Man" (author: Dave Rogers) (Boxtree, 1989) ISBN
1-85283-260-6 - an exhaustive (definitive?) episode guide by the man who wrote
the detailed Avengers programme guide books. Light on photographs but dense
with detail, the synopses sometimes almost word-for-word transcriptions of the
episodes.
#"The Gillis Guide to The Prisoner" (author: S.J. Gillis) (SJG, 1997) ISBN 0
9528441 1 7 - perhaps the definitive listing of cast and crew for each episode,
with detailed screenographies for each individual. Contains a few minor
errors/omissions, but an impressively exhaustive piece of research and
invaluable for film buffs, actor-spotters and name-droppers.
#"The Patrick McGoohan Screenography" (1984) (compiled by Rae Wittrick, directed
by Roger Goodman, produced by Ged Lennox; yes it is a book!) - a high-quality,
privately-published detailed biography of McGoohan's appearances on television
and film up to 1982. Lots of detail for its time. Rare. Originally came with a
Prisoner poster. Look out for it at memorabilia fairs, comic marts etc (I'm not
selling mine!).
"The Prisoner Handbook" (author: Steven Paul Davies) Paperback: 272 pages
(Boxtree, 2002) ISBN: 0752219685. Does anyone have further details about this
book?
The following three non-fiction works were privately produced for Six of One but
were available both through the Appreciation Society and the Prisoner Shop in
Portmeirion:
The Prisoner of Portmeirion (author: Max Hora) (a NUMBER SIX publication,
1985) - an enjoyable jaunt through the series (both serious and trivial
elements) in 17 chapters. Paperback only. Out of print?
"Portmeirion Prisoner Production" (author: Max Hora) (a NUMBER SIX publication,
1985) - contains fascinating Call Sheet reproductions and other production
documentation (e.g. revealing No 2 in "Dance of the dead" as Jack the Ripper
rather than Peter Pan!), plus the first instalment of the ongoing "episode
order" debate. Paperback only. Out of print?
"Village World" (compiled by: Max Hora) (a NUMBER SIX publication, 1987)
Further ruminations on the Prisoner, locations, episode order, the 1984 channel
4 documentary 'Six Into One: The Prisoner File', and miscellany. Paperback
only. Out of print?
ANALYSIS BOOKS (Documentaries tend to have less speculation, instead mainly
"documenting" facts like an episode guide. Analysis goes deeper (e.g.
speculating upon the surrealism, directorial intent, writer's references to
other works, etc.):
"Le Prisonnier, chef-d'oeuvre télévisionnaire", (authors: Alain Carraze & Hélène
Oswald) (8ème art, French language 1989) ISBN: 0-86369-557-4 - also available in
English translation, "The Prisoner: A Televisionary Masterpiece" (W.H. Allen &
Co, 1990). Superb photographs (some rare) are the mainstay of this book. Also
an interesting overview of the series, its episodes, its effect (including
relevant essays by the likes of Isaac Asimov) and a rare Patrick McGoohan
interview.
"Decoding The Prisoner" (author: Chris Gregory) (John Libbey Media, 1997) ISBN 1
86020 521 6 - a deep textual analysis suitable for students of the media,
literature, and perhaps psychology and philosophy.
"Inside The Prisoner - Radical Television and Film in the 1960s" (author: Ian
Rakoff) (B.T. Batsford Ltd, 1998) ISBN 0 7134 8413 6 - by the writer of the TV
episode Living In Harmony who was also a film editor on The Prisoner, this book
is as much about the media revolution of the late 60s as it is about working
with McGoohan and co on a day-to-day basis; and all the more fascinating for
that. Written in a more anecdotal, less "academic" style than the preceding
work though covering similar areas of authorial/directorial intent,
expressionist film-making etc.
"The Prisoner Official Companion" (author: Robert Fairclough) see www.priz.biz.
Paperback: 143 pages (April 2002) Publisher: Carlton Books; ISBN: 1842224344.
Anyone want to provide a synopsis/review?
N.B. Six of One's website has a full list of books and publications, in two
parts:
http://www.sixofone.org.uk/1978.htm
http://www.sixofone.org.uk/1990.htm
8) Where can I buy Prisoner Fanzines..?
Six of One produce a quarterly magazine which is sent to members. Back issues
are sometimes available. Content is usually factual rather than fan fiction.
9)Where can I buy The Prisoner CDs?
a) The Patrick McGoohan interview CD: If you are visiting North Wales, you can
pop into Portmeirion's Prisoner shop (situated in the cottage used as Number 6's
residence in the TV series). Otherwise, use mail order at: www.priz.biz
b) The Silva Screen soundtrack CDs: originally released as vinyl (volume I only)
and cassette, these three soundtrack CDs contained both the specially-composed
music and library music used in the series, and are well worth a listen or
three. Currently deleted, **but Silva Screen are expected to re-release them in
two volumes in September 2002 (Pre-orders are being taken by online retailers
such as Amazon):
**The Prisoner File 1 (Audio CD) (due out 2 September, 2002)
Number of Discs: 1 (30 tracks)
Label: Silva Screen
ASIN: B00006C2OI
Catalogue Number: FILMCD601
**The Prisoner File 2 (Audio CD) (due out 30 September, 2002)
Number of Discs: 1 (39 tracks)
Label: Silva Screen
ASIN: B00006C2OJ
Catalogue Number: FILMCD602
10) Where was The Prisoner filmed?
Most famously, in and around the North Wales hotel resort of Portmeirion, which
is actually a Village as well as a hotel. Guests can stay in houses and
cottages (some used in the series), which are run as hotel rooms or
self-catering cottages. Portmeirion is an eclectic mix of Italianate
architecture, statuary, woodlands and gardens seemingly cut off from the outside
world. It was designed by the architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and built
from 1925 onwards as a labour of love (he would often incorporate bits of old
buildings he gathered over the years), with hotel profits funding the building
and landscaping. Portmeirion or its environs (woods/beach) appear in every
episode of the Prisoner.
The official Portmeirion site is http://www.portmeirion.wales.com/
The studio and backlot work for all episodes was carried out at the (now
demolished) MGM Studios in Borehamwood. For some episodes, location work was
carried out around Borehamwood and nearby Elstree, and on the south coast of
England, and stock footage of more exotic locales like Austria and France was
also used. The opening (and closing) shot of the series, the long "runway"
racetrack, is thought to be either Santa Pod raceway (Poddington) or, less
likely, the Lotus test track at Hethel in Norfolk. (Thanks to Steve Dix for the
research.)
11 What order should The Prisoner episodes be shown in?
A subject of frequent debate. The UK screening order differed from the US and
other overseas orders. This was most likely due to some episodes still
undergoing post-production work as screening dates came and went, so other
(completed) episodes were shown in their stead (TV magazine listings at the
point the UK order began to differ seem to confirm this.
ATV Midlands, who, together with Grampian was showing episodes first in the
UK, had scheduled "Do Not Forsake Me..." as episode 9 but showed Checkmate
instead. This, along with the region's "TV World" magazine for the following
week including a pre-planned internal cover for "It's Your Funeral" (with an
apparently hurriedly-changed caption, since Hammer Into Anvil was shown instead)
indicates that the US order was originally going to be followed in the UK
until, presumably, the post-production problems of certain episodes enforced
changes (most notably the troubled Do Not Forsake Me which seems to have taken
over a month longer than expected to get into a broadcastable state).
The US order spreads most of the colourful, Portmeirion-rich episodes
amongst the more studio-bound ones, and so is most likely the intended order.
However, it seems that ITC may have so firmly instructed UK regions to schedule
the episodes in the UK order (to avoid listing episodes that were not yet ready
as the run continued) that the UK order became set in stone with subsequent
repeates usually following it; other film series tended to vary their episode
order on repeat runs. (With thanks to Andrew Pixley.)
Both orders are listed below, along with the order in which the episodes
were produced.
Finally, several fans have worked out their own orders, from
aesthetically-pleasing to a chronological order based on events and clues in the
episodes themselves. Like Kafka's "The Trial", we may never know the "real"
order of the episodes, if there ever was one.
UK BROADCAST ORDER
Arrival
The Chimes of Big Ben
A.B. and C.
Free For All
The Schizoid Man
The General
Many Happy Returns
Dance of the Dead
Checkmate
Hammer Into Anvil
It's Your Funeral
A Change of Mind
Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling
Living In Harmony
The Girl Who Was Death
Once Upon A Time
Fall Out
US/OVERSEAS BROADCAST ORDER (With thanks to Andrew Pixley)
Identical to the UK order up until episode 8 (Dance of the Dead), then:
Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling
It's Your Funeral
Checkmate
Living In Harmony (not shown in original USA run)
A Change of Mind
Hammer Into Anvil
The Girl Who Was Death
Once Upon A Time
Fall Out
PRODUCTION ORDER (With thanks to Simon Coward and Andrew Pixley)
NB This order is not an intended viewing order, for example the penultimate
story in the narrative was filmed sixth!
The first five scripts were filmed on location in Portmeirion in September 1966,
with studio working commencing the following month and running through to
December (2 weeks per episode). They were made in the following order:
1st. Arrival
2nd. Free For All (made back to back with Arrival,
with some crossover footage)
3rd. Checkmate
4th. Dance of the Dead (studio order - location filming
was prior to Checkmate)
5th. The Chimes of Big Ben
(NB only a few shots were done in Portmeirion,
mainly on the hotel lawn and beach. Some
footage from other episodes plus studio mock-ups
take its place).
(Production then continued through and past Christmas 1966, mainly at MGM
Borehamwood:)
6th. Once Upon a Time (which may have had some pick-up
work after the next episode
into studio, The Schizoid Man,
since Anton Rodgers remembers Leo
McKern still being about)
7th. The Schizoid Man (in which "The General" is
mentioned - possibly not the comp-
uter from the story of that name)
(Around March 1967, a return was made to Portmeirion to film Village inserts for
the remaining episodes (with McGoohan briefly attending, mainly for shots for
Many Happy Returns and Hammer Into Anvil). Odd bits of this were also spliced
into earlier episodes before broadcast, e.g. bits of "A Change of Mind" crop up
in "Free For All".)
8th. It's Your Funeral
9th. A Change of Mind
10th. A.B. and C. (first appearance of the huge red
No1 phone "hotline")
11th. The General
12th. Hammer Into Anvil (second time "hotline" used)
13th. Many Happy Returns
(All the above were made at 2 or 3 week intervals, with few gaps (only
a few days e.g. around Xmas '66). Then came a big gap from March '67 as
post-production continued, and Patrick McGoohan made Ice Station Zebra from late
June 1967; until the second filming block began in August '67. These episodes
took far longer, "Living In Harmony" with its laborious attention to Western
historical detail, took about 5 weeks to film! "Fall Out", the final episode,
was however made in a hurry because TV transmission was catching up. This
second filming block, sometimes erroneously referred to as a "second series", is
as follows:)
14th. Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling
(a body-swap tale with McGoohan replaced by Nigel Stock for most of the
story. This may have been done to ensure some filming could take place even if
McGoohan could not get back from Ice Station Zebra in time, i.e. if it overran
or he was called back for pick-up shots.)
15th. Living In Harmony.
16th. The Girl Who Was Death (once posited as a two-parter to stretch-out the
number of episodes in the series, but budget constraints stopped that idea.)
17th. Fall Out (made "on the cheap" using sets, props and actors from the
preceding two episodes - but arguably a masterpiece nonetheless.)
12) What are the "Alternate" episodes?
In 1967, when production on The Prisoner was still underway (and shortly before
broadcast began in the UK), Patrick McGoohan and ITC arranged a press conference
at MGM studios. Two episodes which had undergone post-production were shown to
the press. As well as sets, props and actors from the show, journalists were
treated to an enigmatic interview from McGoohan (where he asked the Press
questions about the episodes they had just seen!).
The two episodes were "Arrival" (episode 1) and "The Chimes of Big Ben"
(normally, these days, shown as Episode 2). However, they were not the episodes
as eventually broadcast. They had different title sequences at start and
finish, with different theme music (by Albert Elms rather than Ron Grainer) as
well as different edits of scenes, some different shots, and extra dialogue in
some scenes. Although "The Alternate Chimes of Big Ben" is available on VHS and
DVD, "The Alternate Arrival" still awaits release. #It is due out on 30
September 2002 on the Carlton DVD "The Prisoner 35th Anniversary Companion", and
pre-orders are being taken by online retailers such as Amazon and Blackstar.
There are also rumours of an Alternative "A.B. and C." (usually shown as
episode 3) but these have not been confirmed.
13) What other titles were used?
Some episodes were known by different titles at the scripting and production
stage. A non-exhaustive list follows:
"Arrival" was filmed as "The Arrival".
"The Chimes of Big Ben" was referred to on Call Sheets as "C.O.B.B."
"A.B. and C." had working titles "A Play in Three Acts" and "1, 2, and 3".
"Checkmate" was filmed as "The Queen's Pawn"
"Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" was filmed as "Face Unknown"
"Living In Harmony" was, confusingly, initially known as "Do Not Forsake Me Oh
My Darling"!
"Once Upon A Time" was filmed as "Degree Absolute".
14) Are there any missing episodes?
Apart from the Alternative edits mentioned above? No. Two commissioned scripts
(which never made it into production) survive, and were published in 1993 by TR7
(Stephen Ricks' imprint) - they are "The Outsider" by Moris Farhi and "Don't Get
Yourself Killed" by Gerald Kelsey. A hoax/April Fool-type joke in a Six of One
magazine tried to convince people of a lost episode called "Red Rover" (the name
of a London bus ticket!). Fans have tried to make home movies/videos of
Prisoner continuations over the years, to varying degrees of success.
Incidentally, a break in UK transmission of the Prisoner took place around
Christmas 1967, which had the advantage of allowing production work on the final
few episodes to catch up with transmission. In the 2-week gap, the only two
fourth-season "Danger Man" (US title: "Secret Agent") episodes, entitled
"Koroshi" and "Shinda Shima" (both starring Patrick McGoohan) received their
first showing, being broadcast in The Prisoner's Sunday slot; these episodes had
been held back, being the opening story of the abandoned fourth "Danger Man"
season.
Work on "Danger Man" had been curtailed months earlier when McGoohan resigned
in order to go and make The Prisoner (a tale about a resigning agent!). This
"Danger Man" intermission must have caused some confusion amongst audiences when
The Prisoner returned, in particular because in "The Girl Who Was Death", shown
shortly afterwards, McGoohan appeared to be playing John Drake again alongside a
cameo by actor Christopher Benjamin as Drake's contact, Potter - the same actor
in the same role as in those self-same Danger Man stories!
15) Was "The Prisoner" ever censored?
Yes. Although the current VHS and DVD releases are uncensored, it was a
different matter in 1967/68. Several episodes were scissored, with "Living in
Harmony" coming off worst (completely banned in the USA because it preached
pacifism in the face of the Vietnam draft, and in the UK suffering 5 edits for
violence, including the point-of-view shot of Kathy's brother being hanged, the
fight with Zeke, No 6 being dragged back into Harmony, and both scenes of Kathy
being strangled). "Free For All" had the Rover-cave beating similarly excised,
though some of it was left in the "Once Upon a Time" flashback sequence as No 2
reviews it on a screen.
Not censorship as such, but the first UK showing was of course in black and
white. Presumably the season four Danger Man episodes were also shown in
monochrome, despite being made in colour.
Since then, flawed prints of "A.B. and C.", with the last 2 minutes of the
scene with "B" having her words dictated by "No 14" accidentally hacked out,
have been broadcast on Channel 4 or screened at conventions. Luckily all the
commercial video and DVD releases have not used these flawed prints.
16) What is "Rover"?
Many episodes featured a gelatinous white sphere which chased, and then
suffocated, escaping prisoners. This rose from the sea bed and was, in real
life, merely a weather balloon (or rather, hundreds of weather balloons since
they often burst during filming!). In one episode only, "The Schizoid Man", the
spherical guardian is named "Rover" on screen. However in the first episode
script it is also named Rover, and appears to be a mechanical device like a
small dome-shaped amphibious car. Rumours abounded that this was made, and
filmed, but sank into the sea on the first day of shooting never to be seen
again. Steven Ricks uncovered home movie footage of the 1966 filming in
Portmeirion which proved that the car-like Rover really existed. It resembled a
black and white domed go-kart with a flashing blue light (a rather crude and
obvious "police" symbol). It proved to be poorly-made, unwieldy, and choked the
operator with exhaust fumes! McGoohan and director Don Chaffey came up with the
inspired idea of using weather balloons instead, and the amoeboid menace we know
and love was born. Chaffey has since suggested Rover as being representative of
faceless, suffocating bureaucracy.
17) What does it all mean?
That is one of the things we are here to discuss! The Prisoner deliberately
asked questions with no answers, or many answers, and challenged viewers to
think for themselves instead of force-feeding them with pre-chewed pap like most
modern programmes. Patrick McGoohan says the Prisoner is "an allegory" and is
not to be taken too literally.
Playing with symbols and allegory, as well as providing a rattling good
adventure yarn, the producers of The Prisoner have very rarely offered their
thoughts on its many meanings, preferring instead for people to find their own
answers. If you are interested in McGoohan's thoughts, he has recorded some
interviews (e.g. "The LA Tape", made for, but not used in, the UK Channel 4
documentary "Six Into One: The Prisoner File") and many more have appeared in
newspapers, books and magazines; most are sadly out of print. The best
currently available to the public can be found at http://www.priz.biz.
18) Is "Number Six" in "The Prisoner" the same character as "John Drake" in
Danger Man?
Both were played by Patrick McGoohan, co-creator of "The Prisoner", who says
they were not intended to be the same character. But the late George Markstein,
who also claimed to be the originator of the idea of The Prisoner, said the
Prisoner character was "an agent called Drake, who resigned." Six of one, half
a dozen of the other. It is worth noting that the unnamed hero of the Prisoner
is never called Drake on-screen. He once calls himself Peter Smith, but may be
bluffing. John Drake (Danger Man) was the copyright property of Ralph Smart,
and so the makers of The Prisoner did not have permission to use him or his
name. "Number Six" also seems to have a quite different background, London
life, and fiancee. He may not even be a spy - McGoohan claimed once that the
Prisoner was "a scientist".
19)What is the car the Prisoner drives at the start?
It is a Lotus Super 7 series 2, registration no. KAR 120C (a 1965 registration).
20)What happened to KAR 120C?
The registration was used as Lotus' demonstrator, and was applied to a number of
cars. The demonstrator was frequently dismantled and sold as a kit (Lotus at
the time sold kit cars. In the UK in the 1960s you could avoid purchase tax on
a car by buying it as a kit, but you were legally not permitted to receive any
instructions as to how to build the kit!). The Lotus Super 7 series 2 used for
the opening sequences was exported to Australia where it was subsequently
written-off. A normal L7 series 2 was altered to look like the original car for
"Fall Out", by Graham Nearne of Caterham Cars (sole agents for the Lotus 7 at
that time). No-one knows what happened to this car. The number plate "KAR120C"
is now owned by Caterham Cars.
21)Can I still buy a Lotus 7?
The 7 is still in production, and can be bought as a kit or fully-
built from Caterham cars, who bought the rights from Lotus when they
ceased to build it. There are also a number of lookalikes, such as
the Westfield 7, the Sylva Striker, and even a number of low-cost
build-your-own-from-plans varieties such as the Locust. The best
place to start looking is in magazines such as "Kit Car". If you are
not inclined to build one, you can usually pick up a second-hand
model which has been built by another enthusiast.
22)What is the car used as the Village taxi?
The car is a Mini Moke. These were produced by BMC (British
Motor Corporation) in the 60's, and production was then moved to
Australia, then Portugal. The car relies on the engine and parts
from the famous Mini car of the 1960's which was produced up until
October 2000. There is still a large following of Mini owners, and
even a Moke owners group.
23)Where can I buy one?
The Moke is no longer in production, and the original Mini ceased
production in 2000. The new Mini bears no mechanical resemblance to
the old. However mokes were in production until quite recently in
Portugal, using brand-new parts supplied by Rover, so you may be able
to find one if you look hard. There have also been a number of Kit-
Car moke copies, which supplied a Moke-style body on which the parts
from a standard Mini were installed : eg The Andersen Cub.
(thanks to Steve Dix for all the car research).
24) Has anyone noticed that Derren Nesbit looks/acts like one of the Tracey
brothers in Thunderbirds/Brains/Joe 90/any other Gerry Anderson puppet?
Yes. Please don't ask again.
25) What does the penny-farthing symbol represent?
McGoohan's only reference to it in interviews has described it as an "ironic
symbol of progress" - McGoohan claimed things were going faster and faster with
little examination of whether new inventions were of benefit or not. The
incongruous canopy is said to have been added to represent the "overprotective"
nature of modern society), as encapsulated by the "caring" façade of the
Village.
-------------------
Section 3: Resources. PLEASE SEND ME DETAILS OF YOUR PRISONER-RELATED SITE!
Disclaimer: The author of this FAQ is not responsible for the
content of external sites, mailing lists and other linked resources.
All sites are assumed to be for general viewing. Should the owner of a
linked resource wish to have a link removed or updated, please contact
the FAQ poster at the address above, or post in the Newsgroup.
1) How do I report Spam, or other Usenet or e-mail abuse?
For information on reporting abuse, please see:
http://www.zedtoo.demon.co.uk/no-spam/faq2.html#
There are sections about reading and interpreting headers, as well as
advice on how to report abuse.
2) Are there any other Prisoner newsgroups?
Not that I know of. Let me know if you find any (including Patrick McGoohan or
Portmeirion groups). There is a slightly out-of-date FAQ to be found here:
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/tv/the-prisoner/part1/
Also let me know if you have a relevant mailing list and want details posted
here.
3) What Prisoner websites are available?
Lots and lots. I will list them here if the owners ask. One I will list
immediately is Roger Goodman's site for the McGoohan interview and the odd good
book:
http://www.priz.biz
Kipp Teague (Retronaut) has a site featuring The Prisoner and other classic and
cult TV shows at www.retroweb.com ; The Prisoner page is at:
http://www.retroweb.com/prisoner.html
Clubs and groups:
Six of One: The Prisoner Appreciation Society. (Please note: recent
controversial actions amongst its co-ordination team and concern over the bank
balance/cash flow of the society have caused many members to leave. As well as
Six of One's remaining co-ordinators side of the story (presented to current
members), it is worth hearing the other side of the coin by asking on the
newsgroup for information from ex-members, or researching old posts via Google
groups.)
UK Six of One site:
http://www.sixofone.org.uk/
USA Six of One site:
http://www.theprisonerappreciationsociety.com
Fan Fiction sites:
None known
Fan artwork sites:
None known
General sites:
The official Portmeirion site: http://www.portmeirion.wales.com/
Caterham Cars: the makers of the Prisoner Seven: http://www.caterham.co.uk/
(Graham Nearn of Caterham Cars even appears in the Prisoner, delivering and
polishing the Prisoner's Seven in the closing episode! (with thanks to Steve Dix
as ever for Seven info).
Check out http://www.the-prisoner-6.freeserve.co.uk/lotus1.htm)
The Prisoner episode transcripts:
None known
The End.
(c) SoapySud August 2002
MR DOLEMITE
My you have been busy !.
Write all this to Box 66 they need all the contents they can muster .
LPG Freedom Fighters
SoapySud
"MR DOLEMITE" <mrdol...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020831202031...@mb-fb.aol.com...
Heheh.... ;oD and thanks.
--
SoapySud
Simon Coward
wrote:
>15) Was "The Prisoner" ever censored?
> Since then, flawed prints of "A.B. and C.", with the last 2 minutes of the
>scene with "B" having her words dictated by "No 14" accidentally hacked out,
>have been broadcast on Channel 4 or screened at conventions.
Sorry to be so anal, but it was over three minutes that was missing.
From memory I think it was about 3 mins 20 seconds.
Again, not exactly censorship, but on a regional UK repeat run in 1977,
Southern Television removed the pre-credit sequence from "Do Not Forsake
Me Oh My Darling" and about nine minutes, including all of the "Once
Upon A Time" recap, from "Fall Out".
"Living In Harmony" was missed during the initial screening by HTV Wales
in 1970; the same episode as well as "The Girl Who Was Death" was
omitted during a regional repeat run by London Weekend Television in
1971. I have no note of a date for Scottish TV's 1978 repeat of "A
Change Of Mind" - was it missed or am I short of info?
Aside from those with episodes missing, as far as I know, all UK
terrestrial screenings apart from C4 in 1983/4 (and S4C at the same
time?) followed the standard UK order except the 1969 Granada repeat
(which switched "Harmony" and "Girl") and the original Scottish TV
transmission which showed "A. B. & C." between "Dance" and "Checkmate"
due to a local industrial dispute which affected the scheduled
transmission (between "Chimes" and "Free For All" as usual) on 19th
October 1967.
"The Girl Who Was Death" was billed in listings and so on, in the HTV
West region's initial run in 1969, as "The Girl Who Never Was", though
this must have been a simple mistake as the episode titles were
well-established by this point.
The only genuine major title change which occured so late as to appear
in the original ITV programme schedules was for "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My
Darling" which was scheduled in some regions as both "Faith Unknown" and
"Face Unknown" but was corrected in time for the ITV listings magazines
to be printed correctly. It's speculation, but I've always assumed the
former variant was due to someone mis-hearing the title rather than the
title itself having been changed twice.
Simon.
roger
news:na2dnucgltl2v9hat...@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 31 Aug 2002 15:25:38 +0100, "SoapySud" <Soap...@spamfilter.de>
> wrote:
> Again, not exactly censorship, but on a regional UK repeat run in 1977,
> Southern Television removed the pre-credit sequence from "Do Not Forsake
> Me Oh My Darling" and about nine minutes, including all of the "Once
> Upon A Time" recap, from "Fall Out".
Granada Television did the same and 'Fall Out' began with Leo McKern being
shaved!
IIRC the previous live programme had over-run and the schedulers had decided
that lopping the first several minutes off the last episode of 'The
Prisoner' was the best way to catch up.
What it must have seemed like to someone watching the series for the first
time ...
www.priz.biz
for 21st century prisoner memorabilia
Allan Young
> I have no note of a date for Scottish TV's 1978 repeat of "A
> Change Of Mind" - was it missed or am I short of info?
It was definitely missed out.
The day after it was due to be shown, I called up STV to find out what
had happened. I got through to a fairly agressive and uninterested
public relations bod who said that the entire series would be shown
eventually. When I asked why in that case they were not showing them
in order, I was told that it didn't matter what order they were shown
in. At this point I guess I could have started a debate about Priz
screening order but I gave in and hung up. "A Change Of Mind" was
never shown.
I heard later that the print was simply not delivered to STV for
screening. Max Hora drove all the way to Scotland with a copy for the
Glasgow group to view - what a star !
Allan.
SoapySud
> On Sat, 31 Aug 2002 15:25:38 +0100, "SoapySud"
> <Soap...@spamfilter.de> wrote:
>
>> 15) Was "The Prisoner" ever censored?
>> Since then, flawed prints of "A.B. and C.", with the last 2 minutes
>> of the scene with "B" having her words dictated by "No 14"
>> accidentally hacked out, have been broadcast on Channel 4 or
>> screened at conventions.
>
> Sorry to be so anal, but it was over three minutes that was missing.
> From memory I think it was about 3 mins 20 seconds.
Au contraire, Simon. I wa sprobably even more anal about it. I always get
mixed up with the Blakes 7 cuts by the Beeb, but I actually swapped tapes
several times to measure that "A.B. and C." cut. Must have kept a record at
some point.
Over 3 minutes from a 47-minute episode is AWFUL. What the feck were they
thinking of???
> Again, not exactly censorship, but on a regional UK repeat run in
> 1977, Southern Television removed the pre-credit sequence from "Do
> Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" and about nine minutes, including all
> of the "Once Upon A Time" recap, from "Fall Out".
Nine minutes? Incredible. Surprised it made any sense. Oh, wait...
> "Living In Harmony" was missed during the initial screening by HTV
> Wales in 1970;
Vietnam War queries again? ;-) Seriously, mebbe the 5 cuts made by ATV etc
worried them.
> the same episode as well as "The Girl Who Was Death"
> was omitted during a regional repeat run by London Weekend Television
> in 1971.
Never mind - 3 chances to catch up on ITV 70s/80s/90s repeats!
I have no note of a date for Scottish TV's 1978 repeat of "A
> Change Of Mind" - was it missed or am I short of info?
Interesting...
> Aside from those with episodes missing, as far as I know, all UK
> terrestrial screenings apart from C4 in 1983/4 (and S4C at the same
> time?) followed the standard UK order except the 1969 Granada repeat
> (which switched "Harmony" and "Girl")
rings a bell -and a better order IMO.
> and the original Scottish TV
> transmission which showed "A. B. & C." between "Dance" and "Checkmate"
> due to a local industrial dispute which affected the scheduled
> transmission (between "Chimes" and "Free For All" as usual) on 19th
> October 1967.
Would you consider editing the rescreeing part of the FAQ? This is all great
detail.
> "The Girl Who Was Death" was billed in listings and so on, in the HTV
> West region's initial run in 1969, as "The Girl Who Never Was", though
> this must have been a simple mistake as the episode titles were
> well-established by this point.
very Avengeresque.
> The only genuine major title change which occured so late as to appear
> in the original ITV programme schedules was for "Do Not Forsake Me Oh
> My Darling" which was scheduled in some regions as both "Faith
> Unknown" and "Face Unknown" but was corrected in time for the ITV
> listings magazines to be printed correctly. It's speculation, but
> I've always assumed the former variant was due to someone mis-hearing
> the title rather than the title itself having been changed twice.
Agreed, heard that ITC 'phoned through some listings. Not nearly as bad as some
Dr Who title mishearings by phone!
--
SoapySud
SoapySud
Even though the writer signed me a personal copy of the script, I still think it
is the crappest episode. Mainly as he signed my script "to Brian".
--
SoapySud (Frank)
Simon Coward
<roger....@prisoner.co.uk> wrote:
>Granada Television did the same and 'Fall Out' began with Leo McKern being
>shaved!
>IIRC the previous live programme had over-run and the schedulers had decided
>that lopping the first several minutes off the last episode of 'The
>Prisoner' was the best way to catch up.
>What it must have seemed like to someone watching the series for the first
>time ...
Ooh that's a new one on me. Assuming this is the 1977 re-screening
you're referring to, I've noted Granada's timeslot as 23:42 to 00:38 on
Wed 16th/Thu 17th February 1977. I've no idea what preceded it that
could have over-run.
Most of Granada's slots in that run were around 56/57 minutes so that
didn't really give them any leeway if anything went wrong beforehand.
Simon
Simon Coward
wrote:
>> Simon Coward <nos...@nospam.hereplease.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:<na2dnucgltl2v9hat...@4ax.com>...
>>
>>> I have no note of a date for Scottish TV's 1978 repeat of "A
>>> Change Of Mind" - was it missed or am I short of info?
>Even though the writer signed me a personal copy of the script, I still think it
>is the crappest episode. Mainly as he signed my script "to Brian".
It's not a favourite of mine, but I'd go for "It's Your Funeral " for
that award.
Simon
Simon Coward
wrote:
>Simon Coward wrote:
>> Again, not exactly censorship, but on a regional UK repeat run in
>> 1977, Southern Television removed the pre-credit sequence from "Do
>> Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" and about nine minutes, including all
>> of the "Once Upon A Time" recap, from "Fall Out".
>
>Nine minutes? Incredible. Surprised it made any sense.
Diabolical though this editing was, the self-appointed editors at
Southern TV didn't make too bad a job of it... considering. Given the
general bizarre nature of the episode it was probably one of the easiest
to edit and the missing sections didn't affect the narrative too much.
Aside from the running length, the end result wouldn't looked any
stranger than normal (which for "Fall Out" is pretty strange) to the
uninitiated. That said, whoever decided to edit it deserves a good
kicking 8-)
For the record, they removed five separate sections:
The largest single sequence was the "Once Upon A Time" recap - about 3
and a half minutes. This would have been particularly useful during
this re-run as "Once Upon A Time" had run a fortnight, not a week,
earlier. The rather long film "Lawrence Of Arabia" had run on the
Saturday in between.
The next section to go immediately followed the credits and included the
"We thought you would be happier as yourself" scene up and the corridor
scene with the "All You Need Is Love" jukebox. The episode resumed at
P's entry into the main cavern - almost 2 and a half mins gone there.
Next out was part of the Leo resuscitation scene - about a minute - the
middle bit including the "Resuscitate, revolution" line.
The last action to go was P's underground journey from below the cavern
to No. 1's room - about one and three-quarter minutes.
The end credits were faded out with 20-something seconds still to run.
I gather the current Six of One mailing claims that Southern TV cut
twenty minutes from this episode. Just shows you can't believe
everything that comes out of Ipswich, eh.
Simon
--
-- D.P.M.Pulman: "I have no secrets from Peter. Have I, Peter? Secrets?"
-- P.J.Frame: "Not that I know of."
--
Simon Coward
wrote:
>Would you consider editing the rescreeing part of the FAQ?
Happily, but what re-screening part?
Simon
--
-- D.P.M.Pulman: "I have no secrets from Peter. Have I, Peter? Secrets?"
-- P.J.Frame: "Not that I know of."
--
Lew Stringer
nos...@nospam.hereplease.co.uk wrote on 7/9/2002 12:00 AM:
> The end credits were faded out with 20-something seconds still to run.
>
> I gather the current Six of One mailing claims that Southern TV cut
> twenty minutes from this episode. Just shows you can't believe
> everything that comes out of Ipswich, eh.
Shock horror! ;)
SoapySud
> On Thu, 5 Sep 2002 22:34:01 +0100, "SoapySud" <Soap...@spamfilter.de>
> wrote:
>
> >Would you consider editing the rescreeing part of the FAQ?
>
> Happily, but what re-screening part?
>
Hmm! Touche. Well, there was something about censorship which mentioned when
HArmony wasn't shown in the US (and shown cut to pieces in the UK). That's
probably as good a place as any to mention dropepd episodes. It's also relevant
to the question on broadcast order.
TTFN
--
SoapySud
Simon Coward
wrote:
>Hmm! Touche. Well, there was something about censorship which mentioned when
>HArmony wasn't shown in the US (and shown cut to pieces in the UK). That's
>probably as good a place as any to mention dropepd episodes. It's also relevant
>to the question on broadcast order.
I'll email you some text.
On the subject of transmissions, I seem to remember that when Bravo were
originally going to show "The Prisoner", they intended broadcasting it
in yet another order, devised, I think, by Dave Rogers.
I'm pretty sure this plan was scuppered early on as a result of
complaints by some Six of One co-ordinators, but I wondered if anyone
knows what this order was, and whether any episodes were shown "out of
order" or whether the intervention occured before this could happen.
Simon.
bill sherren
> On Thu, 5 Sep 2002 22:34:01 +0100, "SoapySud" <Soap...@spamfilter.de>
> wrote:
>
> >Simon Coward wrote:
> >> Again, not exactly censorship, but on a regional UK repeat run in
> >> 1977, Southern Television removed the pre-credit sequence from "Do
> >> Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" and about nine minutes, including all
> >> of the "Once Upon A Time" recap, from "Fall Out".
> >
> >Nine minutes? Incredible. Surprised it made any sense.
>
> Diabolical though this editing was, the self-appointed editors at
> Southern TV didn't make too bad a job of it... considering. Given the
> general bizarre nature of the episode it was probably one of the easiest
> to edit and the missing sections didn't affect the narrative too much.
> Aside from the running length, the end result wouldn't looked any
> stranger than normal (which for "Fall Out" is pretty strange) to the
> uninitiated. That said, whoever decided to edit it deserves a good
> kicking 8-)
If I remember correctly Southern TV also added their own "The Prisoner"
title to "Living in Harmony", just so you wouldn't be confused! Another
classic from Southern was the showing of Hell Drivers on a Sunday afternoon.
Starring Stanley Mathews according to the on screen presentor! Thank god
Southern TV sank without trace!
bill
SoapySud
"bill sherren" <william...@ukonline.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1Lme9.3026$7q6....@newsfep1-win.server.ntli.net...
According to the Six of One Prisoner Episode Guide, "the TV companies" (plural)
superimposed "The Prisoner" over the Living in Harmony titles.
Lucky I saw it on Channel 4 - I had no clue what was going on. An excellent
subversion of expectation.
--
SoapySud
Graeme
it is the crappest episode. Mainly as he signed my script "to Brian".
>>
What's wrong with A Change of Mind? I liked it just fine, and Starlog magazine
gave it a full 5 stars. But I have heard several rumblings indicating that
it's a distinct un-favorite of some. How come?
As for (relatlively) worst episode, I hate to be boring here, but what about
The Girl Who Was Superfluous?
Frankymole
"Graeme" <graem...@aol.compost> wrote in message
news:20020907170328...@mb-mh.aol.com...
It's certainly irritating that "Girl" gets chosen every time ther eis a Channel
4/Sixties/British Film Institute retrospective - it is *totally*
unrepresentative of the series. I still love it though, even if Dr Who fans
always cite it because the TARDIS appears...
As to "A Change of Mind" (or as the US documentary repeatedly calls it during
the massive clips, "Change of Mind") I love Roger Parkes as a person and a
writer. He was nice as nice can be when I headed his autograph cue.
My 2 problams are that (a) they give away that No6 is being fooled - it would be
*far* more suspenseful to think that he ahd actually had a lobotomy for as long
as possible. It is shown to be a trick (by the No 2/supervisor conversation)
long before No 6 sees the drug. Teh suspense is lost for the audience, even
though the "real scar" scene makes us think twice.
I still love John Sharp's [sic] Number Two, Angela Browne - who is fantastic -
, McGoohan's direction, the "Council" scenes, the duffing-up of Michael
Billington, the "Your Community Needs You" posters, the Unmutualisation of No 2,
George Pravda's quirky doctor, and lots more.
My main gripe is that it is terribly studio-bound (particularly obvious in the
poor "poetry group in the woods" scenes) and the direction, after the stunning
opening scenes in the council chamber, lacks lustre. I am not sure why, but it
is just visually very flat. The pacing is odd too. Not much happens for a huge
chunk in the middle. Maybe McGoohan's much-discussed exhaustion at this stage
is to blame?
It's still better than 99% percent of TV - just not as inventive as every
other Prisoner episode, for me.
Frank