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{{Short description|British science fiction television series (1967–1968)}}
{{about|the 1967 British TV series|other uses|Prisoner (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Prisoner sm.jpg
| genre                = {{Plain list |
* [[Spy-fi (subgenre)|Spy-fi]]
* [[Psychological drama]]
  }}
| caption              =
| camera               =
| runtime              = 50 minutes
| creator              = [[Patrick McGoohan]]
| director             = {{Plain list |
* Patrick McGoohan
* [[Pat Jackson]]
* [[Don Chaffey]]
* [[David Tomblin]]
}}
| developer            =
| producer             = David Tomblin
| executive_producer   = Patrick McGoohan
| starring             = Patrick McGoohan
| voices               =
| narrated             =
| theme_music_composer = [[Ron Grainer]]
| opentheme            =
| composer             = {{Plain list |
* [[Albert Elms]]
* [[Wilfred Josephs]]
* [[Robert Farnon]]
* [[Paul Bonneau]] etc.<ref>The Prisoner, Original Soundtrack – 3 disc set – Network</ref>
}}
| endtheme             =
| country              = United Kingdom
| location             = {{Plain list |
* [[MGM-British Studios]], [[Borehamwood]]
* [[Portmeirion]], [[Wales]]
}}
| company              = Everyman Films<br>[[ITC Entertainment]]
| language             = English
| network              = [[Associated Television|ATV]] ([[ITV (TV network)|ITV]])
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1967|9|29|df=y}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|1968|2|1|df=y}}
| num_series           = 1
| num_episodes         = 17
| list_episodes        = List of The Prisoner episodes
| related              =
}}

'''''The Prisoner''''' is a British television series created by [[Patrick McGoohan]], who stars as [[Number Six (The Prisoner)|Number Six]], a nameless British intelligence agent who is abducted and imprisoned in a [[The Village (The Prisoner)|mysterious coastal village]] after resigning from his position.<ref name="BFI">{{cite web |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/478691/index.html |title=The Prisoner (1967–68) |author=Anthony Clark |website=[[BFI]] |access-date=23 March 2019 }}</ref> The [[allegory|allegorical]] plotlines of the series contain elements of [[science fiction]], [[Psychological thriller|psychological drama]], and [[spy fiction]].<ref name="NYT" /> It was produced by Everyman Films for distribution by [[Lew Grade]]'s [[ITC Entertainment]].<ref name="NYT">{{cite news|work=[[The New York Times]]|title=A Spy Trapped in a Nightmare of Psychedelia|first=Thomas|last=Vinciguerra|date=19 October 2008|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/arts/television/19vinc.html?_r=0}}</ref>

A single series of 17 episodes was filmed between September 1966 and January 1968, with exterior location filming primarily taking place in the Welsh seaside village of [[Portmeirion]]. Interiors were filmed at [[MGM-British Studios]] in [[Borehamwood]], [[Hertfordshire]]. The series was first broadcast in Canada beginning on 5 September 1967, in the UK on 29 September 1967, and in the United States on 1 June 1968.<ref name="Pixley">{{cite book |last=Pixley |first=Andrew |date=2007 |title=The Prisoner: A Complete Production Guide |publisher=Network |page=7 }}</ref> 

Although the show was sold as a thriller in the mould of ''[[Danger Man]]'', McGoohan's previous series, its [[Surrealism|surreal]] and [[Franz Kafka|Kafkaesque]] setting and reflection of concerns of the [[Counterculture of the 1960s|1960s counterculture]] have had a far-reaching influence on [[popular culture]] and the series ultimately developed a [[cult following]].<ref name="Rogers">{{cite book|last=Rogers|first=Dave|title=The Prisoner & Danger Man|year=1992|publisher=Boxtree|location=[London]|isbn=978-1852832605}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=29 September 2017 |title=Celebration as cult show The Prisoner turns 50 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-41427458 |access-date=28 March 2019 |website=[[BBC]]}}</ref>

==Premise==
The series follows [[Number Six (The Prisoner)|Number Six]] (Patrick McGoohan), an unnamed British intelligence agent who, after abruptly and angrily resigning from his highly sensitive government job, prepares to go on a trip. While packing his luggage, he is rendered unconscious by [[Incapacitating agent|knockout gas]] piped into his home in [[City of Westminster|Westminster]].

Upon waking, he finds himself in a recreation of the interior of his home, located in a mysterious coastal settlement known to its residents as "[[The Village (The Prisoner)|the Village]]". The Village is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the sea on the other.

In subsequent episodes, Number Six becomes acquainted with the residents, hundreds of people from all walks of life and cultures, all seeming to be peacefully and mostly enjoyably living out their lives.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mrporter.com/daily/is-the-prisoner-the-most-underrated-tv-show-ever/1256 |title=Is The Prisoner the most underrated TV show ever? |author=Jack Ford |website=[[MR PORTER]] |date=August 2016 |access-date=31 March 2019 }}</ref> They do not use names, but have been assigned numbers, which, aside from designations such as Two, Three, and Six, give no clue as to their status within the Village. Most are captives, but some are guards. Prisoners, therefore, have no idea whom they can and cannot trust. The protagonist is assigned Number Six but refuses to accept the designation: "I am not a number! I am a free man!"<ref name="BFI" />

Although the residents can freely move about the Village, they are constantly under the surveillance of numerous high-tech monitoring systems and cannot leave. Security forces, including a balloon-shaped automaton called [[Rover (The Prisoner)|Rover]], recapture or kill those who attempt to escape.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/wales/articles/portmeirion-wales-the-oddest-holiday-village-on-earth/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/wales/articles/portmeirion-wales-the-oddest-holiday-village-on-earth/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=The odd Welsh holiday village that looks like it's in Tuscany |author=Marcel Theroux |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=13 April 2017 |access-date=28 March 2019 |author-link=Marcel Theroux }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

{{Quote box
| quote = I will not make any deals with you. I've resigned. I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered! My life is my own.
| salign = left
| source = Number Six in the first episode [[Arrival (The Prisoner)|"Arrival"]]
| width = 18%
| align = left
}}

Number Six is a particularly important target of the constantly changing Number Two, the Village administrator, who acts as an agent for the unseen Number One. Number Two uses techniques such as [[Psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants|hallucinogenic drugs]], [[identity theft]], [[Brainwashing|mind control]], [[dream]] manipulation and forms of social [[indoctrination]] and physical coercion in an attempt to make Number Six reveal why he resigned from his position. The position of Number Two is assigned to a different person in each episode, with two making repeat appearances. This is assumed to be part of a larger plan to disorient Number Six, but sometimes the change of personnel seems to be the result of the failure of the previous incumbent, whose fate is unknown.<ref>{{cite book |last=Davies |first=Steven Paul |date=2007 |title=The Prisoner Handbook |publisher=Pan |page=14 |isbn=978-0-230-53028-7 }}</ref>

Number Six, distrustful of everyone in the Village, refuses to co-operate or provide the answers they seek. He struggles, usually alone, with various goals, such as determining for which side of the [[Iron Curtain]] the Village functions, if either, remaining defiant to its imposed authority, concocting plans for escape, learning all he can about the Village, and subverting its operation. His schemes lead to the dismissals of the incumbent Number Two on several occasions. Despite foiling the system, however, Number Six never manages to successfully escape. By the end of the series, the administration, becoming desperate for Number Six's knowledge, as well as fearful of his growing influence in the Village, takes drastic measures that threaten the lives of Number Six, Number Two, and the entire Village.<ref name="Pixley"/>

A major theme of the series is the conflict between [[individualism]], as represented by Number Six, and [[Collectivism and individualism|collectivism]], as represented by the Village. According to McGoohan, the series aimed to demonstrate a balance between the two ideologies.<ref>{{Cite book | title = Be Seeing You--: Decoding The Prisoner | isbn = 978-1860205217 | first = Chris | last = Gregory | pages = 101–102 | publisher = [[Indiana University Press]] | date = 1997 }}</ref>

==Cast==

===Main cast===
[[File:McGoohanAllnightlongcrop1.png|thumb|[[Patrick McGoohan]] (''pictured in 1962'') was the chief creative force behind ''The Prisoner'', and also portrayed its lead role, [[Number Six (The Prisoner)|Number Six]].]]
* [[Patrick McGoohan]] as [[Number Six (The Prisoner)|Number Six]]

===Recurring cast===
* [[Angelo Muscat]] as The Butler
* [[Peter Swanwick]] as Supervisor
* [[Denis Shaw]] as The Shop Keeper
* [[Fenella Fielding]] as The Announcer/Telephone Operator (voice only)

===Number Two===
The episodes featured guest stars in the role of Number Two.
{{columns list|colwidth=18em|
* [[George Baker (British actor)|George Baker]]
* [[David Bauer (actor)|David Bauer]]
* [[Patrick Cargill]]
* [[Georgina Cookson]]
* [[Guy Doleman]]
* [[Clifford Evans (actor)|Clifford Evans]]
* [[Colin Gordon]] (two episodes)
* [[Kenneth Griffith]]
* [[Rachel Herbert]]
* [[Leo McKern]] (three episodes)<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/08/20/did-prisoner-ever-get-made/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/08/20/did-prisoner-ever-get-made/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=How did the Prisoner ever get made?|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=20 August 2017|last1=Sweet|first1=Matthew}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [[Mary Morris]]<ref name="telegraph.co.uk"/>
* [[Derren Nesbitt]]
* [[Eric Portman]]
* [[Robert Rietti]] (voice)
* [[Anton Rodgers]]
* [[John Sharp (actor)|John Sharp]]
* [[André van Gyseghem]]
* [[Peter Wyngarde]]<ref name="telegraph.co.uk"/>
}}

===Guest cast===
{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
* [[Annette Andre]]
* [[Sheila Allen (English actress)|Sheila Allen]]
* [[Niké Arrighi]]
* [[Michael Balfour (actor)|Michael Balfour]]
* [[Kenneth Benda]]
* [[Christopher Benjamin (actor)|Christopher Benjamin]]
* [[Michael Billington (actor)|Michael Billington]]
* [[Michael Bilton]]
* [[Peter Bowles]]
* [[Angela Browne]]
* [[James Bree (actor)|James Bree]]
* [[Michael Brennan (actor)|Michael Brennan]]
* [[Earl Cameron (actor)|Earl Cameron]]
* [[Annette Carrell]]
* [[John Castle]]
* [[Dennis Chinnery]]
* [[Michael Chow (restaurateur)|Michael Chow]]
* [[George Coulouris]]
* [[Rosalie Crutchley]]
* [[Finlay Currie]]
* [[Hilary Dwyer]]
* [[Paul Eddington]]
* [[Mark Eden]]
* [[Max Faulkner (actor)|Max Faulkner]]
* [[Ian Fleming (actor)|Ian Fleming]]
* [[Valerie French (actress)|Valerie French]]
* [[Nadia Gray]]
* [[Lucy Griffiths (actress, born 1919)|Lucy Griffiths]]
* [[John Hamblin]]
* [[Basil Hoskins]]
* [[Peter Howell (actor)|Peter Howell]]
* [[Patricia Jessel]]
* [[Alf Joint]]
* [[Alexis Kanner]]
* [[Katherine Kath]]
* [[Gertan Klauber]]
* [[Lloyd Lamble]]
* [[Jon Laurimore]]
* [[George Leech (actor)|George Leech]]
* [[Charles Lloyd-Pack]]
* [[Justine Lord]]
* [[Duncan Macrae (actor)|Duncan Macrae]]
* [[Victor Maddern]]
* [[Virginia Maskell]]
* [[John Maxim]]
* [[Betty McDowall]]
* [[Jane Merrow]]
* [[Martin Miller (actor)|Martin Miller]]
* [[Norman Mitchell]]
* [[Aubrey Morris]]
* [[Bartlett Mullins]]
* [[David Nettheim]]
* [[Michael Nightingale]]
* [[Frederick Piper]]
* [[George Pravda]]
* [[Keith Pyott]]
* [[Ronald Radd]]
* [[Hugo Schuster]]
* [[Donald Sinden]]
* [[Patsy Smart]]
* [[Nigel Stock (actor)|Nigel Stock]]
* [[Kevin Stoney]]
* [[Larry Taylor (actor)|Larry Taylor]]
* [[Wanda Ventham]]
* [[Zena Walker]]
* [[Norma West]]
* [[Alan White (actor)|Alan White]]
{{div col end}}

McGoohan was the only actor credited during the opening sequence, with Muscat the only actor considered a co-star of the series. Several actors (including Alexis Kanner, Christopher Benjamin and Georgina Cookson) appeared in more than one episode playing different characters. [[Frank Maher (stuntman)|Frank Maher]], McGoohan's [[stunt double]], who is seen running across the beach in the title sequence, also appears extensively in "[[The Schizoid Man (The Prisoner)|The Schizoid Man]]" and in "[[Living in Harmony (The Prisoner)|Living in Harmony]]".

==Episodes==
{{main|List of The Prisoner episodes}}
[[File:First car.jpg|thumb|right|Number Six's [[Lotus Seven]] Series II, as seen in the title sequence]]
''The Prisoner'' consists of 17 episodes, which were first broadcast from 29 September 1967 to 1 February 1968 in the United Kingdom. While the show was presented as a serialised work, with a clear beginning and end, the ordering of the intermediate episodes is unclear, as the production and original broadcast order were different. Several attempts have been made to create an episode ordering based on script and production notes and interpretations of the broader narrative of Number Six's time in the Village.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://ew.com/tv/2017/09/29/the-prisoner-50/ | title = The Prisoner is 50 years old and has been never more relatable | first=  Darren | last= Franich |date = 29 September 2017 | access-date = 27 March 2019 | magazine = [[Entertainment Weekly]] }}</ref>

===Opening and closing sequences===

The [[Opening and closing sequences of The Prisoner|opening and closing sequences of ''The Prisoner'']] have become iconic, cited as "one of the great set-ups of genre drama",<ref name="crimetime">{{cite web|url=http://www.crimetime.co.uk/features/prisoner.php|title=''The Prisoner'' – the classic British TV series|
author=Mike Patterson}}</ref> by establishing the [[Orwellian]] and [[postmodern]] themes of the series.<ref name=Sardar>{{cite book | last = Sardar | first = Ziauddin | title = Postmodernism and the other: the new imperialism of Western culture | publisher=Pluto Press | year = 1998 | location = London| pages = [https://archive.org/details/postmodernismoth0000sard/page/n6 1]–3 | url = https://archive.org/details/postmodernismoth0000sard | url-access = registration | isbn = 978-0-7453-0749-7}}</ref> The high production values of the opening sequence have been described as more like those of a feature film than a television programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99355656|title=Patrick McGoohan, TV's 'Prisoner' Number Six : NPR| publisher=npr.org|date=15 January 2009|access-date=11 March 2009|last=Cole|first=Tom}}</ref>

==Production==

===Development===
''The Prisoner'' was created while Patrick McGoohan and [[George Markstein]] were working on ''[[Danger Man]]'', an espionage show produced by [[ITC Entertainment|Incorporated Television Company]].<ref name="Davy">{{cite book |last=Davy |first=Rick |date= 2017|title=The Prisoner – The Essential Guide |url=http://www.quoitmedia.co.uk/essentialguide.htm |publisher=Quoit Media Ltd |page=4 |isbn=9781911537052 }}</ref> The exact details of who created which aspects of the show are disputed, as there is no "created by" credit. Majority opinion credits McGoohan as the sole creator of the series, but a disputed co-creator status was later ascribed to Markstein after a series of fan interviews were published in the 1980s.<ref name="Davy"/>

Some sources indicate that McGoohan was the sole or primary creator of the show.<ref>{{cite news|last=O'Connor|first=John J.|title='Prisoner' on TV Tonight|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/16/archives/prisoner-on-tv-tonight.html|access-date=21 July 2011|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=16 January 1978}}{{subscription required}}</ref> McGoohan stated in a 1977 interview that, during the filming of the third series of ''Danger Man'', he told ITC Entertainment managing director Lew Grade that he wanted to quit working on ''Danger Man'' after the filming of the proposed fourth series.<ref name=Troyer>{{cite episode|series=The Prisoner|title=The Prisoner Puzzle}}</ref> Grade was unhappy with the decision, but when McGoohan insisted upon quitting, Grade asked if McGoohan had any other possible projects, and McGoohan later pitched ''The Prisoner''. In a 1988 article in British telefantasy magazine ''Time Screen'', though, McGoohan indicated that he had planned to pitch ''The Prisoner'' before speaking with Grade.<ref name="Pixley"/> In both accounts, McGoohan pitched the idea orally, rather than having Grade read the proposal in detail, and the two made an oral agreement for the show to be produced by Everyman Films, the production company formed by McGoohan and [[David Tomblin]].<ref name="Pixley"/> In the 1977 account, McGoohan said that Grade approved of the show despite not understanding it, whereas, in the 1988 account, Grade expressed clear support for the concept.<ref name="Troyer"/>

Other sources, however, credit Markstein, then a script editor for ''Danger Man'', with a significant or even primary portion of the development of the show.<ref name="Davy"/> For example, Dave Rogers, in the book ''The Prisoner and Danger Man'', said that Markstein claimed to have created the concept first and McGoohan later attempted to take credit for it, although Rogers himself doubted that McGoohan would have wanted or needed to do that.<ref name=Rogers/> A four-page document, generally agreed to have been written by Markstein, setting out an overview of the themes of the series, was published as part of an ITC/ATV press book in 1967. It has usually been accepted that this text originated earlier as a guide for the series writers.<ref>{{cite book |last=Fairclough |first=Robert |date=9 June 2005 |title=The Prisoner: Original Scripts Vol.1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VBhcSAAACAAJ |publisher=Reynolds & Hearn Ltd |pages=9–10 |isbn=9781903111765 }}</ref> Further doubt has been cast on Markstein's version of events by author Rupert Booth in his biography of McGoohan, entitled ''Not a Number''. Booth points out that McGoohan had outlined the themes of ''The Prisoner'' in a 1965 interview, long before Markstein's tenure as script editor on the brief fourth series of ''Danger Man''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Booth|first=Rupert|title=Not a number : Patrick McGoohan : a life|date=2011|publisher=Supernova Books|isbn=978-0-9566329-2-0|location=Twickenham [England]|oclc=756782296}}</ref>

Part of Markstein's inspiration came from his research into the [[World War II|Second World War]], where he found that some people had been incarcerated in a resort-like prison in Scotland called [[List of SOE establishments|Inverlair Lodge]], near [[Inverness]].<ref name=Fairclough>{{cite book|last=Fairclough|first=Robert|title=The Prisoner: The Official Companion to the Classic TV Series}}</ref> Markstein suggested that ''Danger Man''{{'}}s main character [[John Drake (Danger Man)|John Drake]] (played by McGoohan) could suddenly resign and be kidnapped and sent to such a location.<ref name=Fairclough/> McGoohan added Markstein's suggestion to material he had been working on, which later became ''The Prisoner''. Furthermore, a 1960 episode of ''Danger Man'' entitled "View from the Villa" had exteriors filmed in Portmeirion, a Welsh resort village that struck McGoohan as a good location for future projects.

According to "Fantasy or Reality" — a chapter of ''The Prisoner of Portmeirion'' — the Village is based, in part, on "a strange place in Scotland" operated by the [[Station IX|Inter-Services Research Bureau]], wherein "people" with "valuable knowledge of one sort or another" were held prisoners on extended "holidays" in a "luxury prison camp".<ref name="Hora">{{Cite book|title = The Prisoner of Portmeirrion|last=Hora|first=Max}}</ref> ''The Prisoner''{{'}}s story editor, George Markstein, this source contends, knows of "the existence of this 'secure establishment'". However, this "Scottish prison camp, in reality, was not, of course, a holiday-type village full of people wearing colourful clothing."<ref name="Hora"/>

Further inspiration came from a ''Danger Man'' episode called "Colony Three", in which Drake infiltrates a spy school in Eastern Europe during the [[Cold War]]. The school, in the middle of nowhere, is set up to look like a normal English town in which pupils and instructors mix as in any other normal city, but the instructors are virtual prisoners with little hope of ever leaving. McGoohan also stated that he was influenced by his experience from theatre, including his work in the [[Orson Welles]] play ''[[Moby Dick—Rehearsed]]'' (1955) and in a BBC television play, ''The Prisoner'' by [[Bridget Boland]].<ref name=Fairclough/> McGoohan wrote a forty-page [[Bible (writing)|show Bible]], which included a "history of the Village, the sort of telephones they used, the sewerage system, what they ate, the transport, the boundaries, a description of the Village, every aspect of it."<ref name=Troyer/> McGoohan wrote and directed several episodes, often using pseudonyms. Specifically, McGoohan wrote "[[Free For All (The Prisoner)|Free for All]]" under the pen name 'Paddy Fitz' (Paddy being the Irish diminutive for Patrick and Fitzpatrick being his mother's maiden name) and directed the episodes "Many Happy Returns" and "[[A Change of Mind]]" using the stage name 'Joseph Serf', the surname being ironically a word meaning a peasant who is under the control of a feudal master. Using his own name, McGoohan wrote and directed the last two episodes—"[[Once Upon a Time (The Prisoner)|Once Upon a Time]]" and "Fall Out"—and directed "Free for All".<ref name="Pixley"/>

In a 1966 interview for the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' by reporter [[Robert Musel]], McGoohan stated, "John Drake of ''Secret Agent'' is gone." Furthermore, McGoohan stated in a 1985 interview that Number Six is not the same character as John Drake, adding that he had originally wanted another actor to portray the character.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Talking With McGoohan|journal=New Video|date=1985|last=Calia|first=Barrington}}</ref> However, other sources indicate that several of the crew members who continued on from ''Danger Man'' to work on ''The Prisoner'' considered it to be a continuation, and that McGoohan was continuing to play the character of John Drake.<ref name="Pixley"/> Author, Dave Rogers claims that Markstein had wanted the character to be a continuation of Drake, but by doing so would have meant paying royalties to [[Ralph Smart]], the creator of ''Danger Man''.<ref name=Rogers/> The second officially licensed novel based on ''The Prisoner'', published in 1969, refers to Number Six as "Drake" from its first sentence: "Drake woke."<ref>{{cite book | last=McDaniel | first=David | author-link=David McDaniel | date=1969 | title=The Prisoner #2 | page=1 | location=New York | publisher=[[Ace Books]] | asin=B001Q6TDUU}}</ref> The issue has been extensively debated by fans and television critics.<ref>{{Cite book|title = The Complete Encyclopedia of Television Programs 1947–79|last=Terrace |first=Vincent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=TV Detectives|author=A.S. Barnes and Company|year = 1981|page=113}}</ref>

McGoohan had originally wanted to produce only seven episodes of ''The Prisoner'', but Grade argued that more shows were necessary in order for him to successfully sell the series to [[CBS]].<ref name="Troyer"/> The exact number that was agreed to and how the series was to end are disputed by different sources.

In an August 1967 article, Dorothy Manners reported that CBS had asked McGoohan to produce 36 segments, but he would agree to produce only 17.<ref>{{cite news|last=Manners|first=Dorothy|title=The Prisoner|newspaper=Washington Post|date=August 1967}}</ref> According to a 1977 interview, Lew Grade requested 26 episodes, but McGoohan thought this would spread the show too thin managing to come up with only 17.<ref name=Troyer/> According to ''The Prisoner: The Official Companion to the Classic TV Series'', the series was originally supposed to run longer, but was cancelled, forcing McGoohan to write the final episode in only a few days.<ref name=Fairclough/>

''The Prisoner'' had its British premiere on 29 September 1967 on [[Associated Television|ATV Midlands]], and the last episode first aired on 1 February 1968 on [[Scottish Television]].<ref name="Pixley"/> The world broadcast premiere was on the [[CTV Television Network]] in Canada on 5 September 1967.<ref name="Pixley"/>

===Filming===
Filming began with the shooting of the series' opening sequence in London on 28 August 1966,<ref name=Davy/> with location work beginning on 5 September 1966, primarily in [[Portmeirion]], [[North Wales]].<ref name="bbc 50">{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-37232329 | title = In pictures: The Prisoner at 50 | work = [[BBC]] | date = 5 September 2016 | access-date = 6 September 2016 }}</ref> This location partially inspired the show.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/travel/29journeys.html | work=The New York Times | title=A Man's Whim on the Welsh Coast | first=Eve M. | last=Kahn | date=29 July 2007 | access-date=25 May 2010}}</ref> At the request of Portmeirion's architect [[Clough Williams-Ellis]], the main location for the series was not disclosed until the opening credits of the final episode, where it was described as "[[The Hotel Portmeirion]], [[Penrhyndeudraeth]], North Wales".<ref name="bbc 50"/> Many local residents were recruited as [[Extra (acting)|extras]].<ref name="bbc 50"/> The Village setting was further augmented by the use of the backlot facilities at [[MGM-British Studios]] in [[Borehamwood]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elstree-museum.org.uk/blog.php?id=4|title=Generous Donation :: Blog :: Elstree & Borehamwood Museum|website=elstree-museum.org.uk}}</ref>
{{wide image|Portmeirionpiazza.jpg|1000px|Panoramic view of the central piazza, [[Portmeirion]] village (2007)}}
[[File:Royal Warrant Holders Association 2457.jpg|thumb|right|The building at 1 Buckingham Place, used for [[Number Six (The Prisoner)|Number Six]]'s home (2011)]]
Additionally, filming of a key sequence of the opening credits—and of exterior location filming for three episodes—took place at 1 Buckingham Place in [[City of Westminster|Westminster]], which at the time was a private residence, presented as Number Six's home.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theunmutual.co.uk/buckplace.htm|title=The Unmutual Prisoner Locations Guide|publisher=Theunmutual.co.uk|access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> The building is now a highlight of ''Prisoner'' location tours, and currently houses the headquarters of the [[Royal Warrant Holders Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalwarrant.org/|title=Royal Warrant Holders Association website}}</ref> The episodes "Many Happy Returns", "The Girl Who Was Death" (the cricket match for which was filmed at four locations, with the main sequences filmed at [[Eltisley]] in Cambridgeshire) and "Fall Out" also made use of extensive location shooting in London and other locations.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theunmutual.co.uk/locationsguide.htm | work=The Unmutual Website | title=Complete Locations Guide to The Prisoner}}</ref>

At the time, most British television was broadcast in black and white, but the show was filmed in colour to reach the American audience.<ref name="bbc 50"/>

===Crew===
* [[George Markstein]] – Script editor
* [[Don Chaffey]] – Director
* [[David Tomblin]] – Director
* [[Peter Graham Scott]] – Director
* Brendan J. Stafford – Cinematographer
* [[Bernard Williams (producer)|Bernard Williams]] – Production manager
* [[Eric Mival]] – Music editor
* [[Albert Elms]] – Musical director and composer
* [[Frank Maher (stuntman)|Frank Maher]] – Fight/stunt coordinator
* [[Rose Tobias Shaw]] – Casting director<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11986686/Rose-Tobias-Shaw-casting-director-obituary.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11986686/Rose-Tobias-Shaw-casting-director-obituary.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Rose Tobias Shaw, casting director – obituary|work=The Telegraph|date=10 November 2015|access-date=11 November 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Background of the Village===
Patrick McGoohan created a detailed guide for the writers of the series, detailing what the series was about, and how the village would work, the practical matters around use of phones and the numbers instead of names.{{cn|date=August 2025}}

According to the writer [[James Follett]], a friend and protégé of George Markstein,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.james-follett.co.uk/george.html|title=A tribute to George Markstein}}</ref> Markstein had developed a backstory explaining the origin of the Village and its connection to Number Six's resignation.

Markstein's concept was that John Drake (of ''Danger Man'') had once proposed a strategy for dealing with retired secret agents who could still pose a security risk. Years later, Drake discovers that his proposal was put into practice, not as a benign means of retirement, but an interrogation centre and prison camp known as The Village.

Outraged, Drake resigns, knowing he will be taken to The Village, where he planned to learn everything he can about how his idea has been implemented and find a way to destroy it. However, due to the range of nationalities and agents present, Drake realises that he can't be sure whose Village he is in—his own, or one belonging to the other side.<ref>{{cite video|people=James Follett|title=The Making of Shakedown & DreamWatch '94 Highlights|medium=[[VHS]]|publisher=Dreamwatch Media Ltd|location=London|date=1994}}</ref>

Markstein later commented:<blockquote>The prisoner was going to leave the Village and he was going to have adventures in many parts of the world, but ultimately he would always be a prisoner. By that I don't mean he would always go back to the Village. He would always be a prisoner of his circumstances, his situation, his secret, his background{{nbsp}}... and 'they' would always be there to ensure that his captivity continues.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-prisoner-6.freeserve.co.uk/markstein.htm |title=An Interview with George Markstein |publisher=The-prisoner-6.freeserve.co.uk |access-date=10 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325215529/http://www.the-prisoner-6.freeserve.co.uk/markstein.htm |archive-date=25 March 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref></blockquote>

==Reception==
The finale of ''The Prisoner'' left numerous open-ended questions, generating controversy and letters of outrage.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2017/09/29/554067095/number-six-at-50-the-fiftieth-anniversary-of-the-prisoner|title=Number Six At 50: The 50th Anniversary Of 'The Prisoner'|work=NPR.org|access-date=29 September 2017|language=en}}</ref> Following the final episode, McGoohan "claimed he had to go into hiding for a while".<ref name=":0" />

==Home media==
===Video tapes===
Numerous editions of ''The Prisoner'' were released in the UK by companies such as Carlton, the copyright holder of the TV series. The first VHS and Betamax releases were through Precision Video in 1982 from 16mm original prints. They released four tapes, each with two episodes edited together: "The Arrival"/"The Schizoid Man", "Many Happy Returns"/"A. B. and C.", "Checkmate"/"Free For All", and "The General"/"The Chimes of Big Ben", thus omitting the final storyline. In 1986 Channel 5 Video (a now-defunct home video brand owned by [[Universal Pictures]]) released a series of all 17 episodes on [[VHS]] and [[LaserDisc]]. In 1993 [[PolyGram Filmed Entertainment|PolyGram Video]] released the entire series plus a special feature called ''The Best of The Prisoner'' on five VHS cassette tapes.<ref name=Davy/>

In North America, [[MPI Home Video]] released a total of 20 VHS videotapes in 1984 encompassing the entire series: one tape for each of the 17 episodes plus three more containing "The Alternate Version of 'The Chimes of Big Ben'", a documentary, and a "best of" retrospective. MPI also released editions of nine LaserDiscs in 1988 and 1998, the last disc of which comprised the final Episode 17, "Fall Out", plus "The Prisoner Video Companion" on side two.

===DVD===
In 2000, the first DVD release in the UK was issued by [[Carlton Communications|Carlton International Entertainment]], with [[A&E Television Networks|A&E Home Video]] releasing the same DVDs in North America/Region 1 (in four-episode sets as well as a comprehensive 10-disc "mega-box" edition). A&E subsequently reissued the mega-box in a 40th anniversary edition in 2007. The A&E issue included an alternative version of [[The Chimes of Big Ben (The Prisoner)|"The Chimes of Big Ben"]] and the MPI-produced documentary (but not the redundant "best of" retrospective) among its limited special features. In Australia, Umbrella Entertainment released a DVD set in 2003. In 2005 [[DeAgostini]] in the UK released all 17 episodes in a fortnightly partwork series.<ref name=Davy/>

''The Prisoner: 40th Anniversary Special Edition''  DVD box-set released in 2007 featured [[standard-definition television|standard-definition]] versions from high-definition masters created by Network. It also included a production guide to the series by Andrew Pixley.<ref>{{cite web|author=Eamonn McCusker |url=http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content/id/66085/the-prisoner-40th-anniversary-special-edition.html |title=Film @ The Digital Fix – The Prisoner: 40th Anniversary Special Edition |publisher=Dvdtimes.co.uk |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref>

===Blu-ray===
''The Prisoner: The Complete Series'' was released on Blu-ray Disc in the United Kingdom on 28 September 2009,<ref>{{cite web|author=Dave Foster |url=http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content/id/71331/the-prisoner-the-complete-series-uk-bd-in-september.html |title=Film @ The Digital Fix – The Prisoner: The Complete Series (UK BD) in September |publisher=Dvdtimes.co.uk |date=28 September 2009 |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> following in North America on 27 October 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/2485/prisonercompleteseries.html |title=The Prisoner: Complete Series Blu-ray Disc Details &#124; High-Def Digest |publisher=High Def Digest |date=27 October 2009 |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> The episodes were restored by the A&E Network to create new [[high-definition television|high-definition]] masters.<ref>[http://www.networkdvd.co.uk/prisoner/priscomparison.htm Networkdvd.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031100032/http://www.networkdvd.co.uk/prisoner/priscomparison.htm |date=31 October 2012 }}</ref> The box-set features all 17 remastered episodes plus extensive special features, including the feature-length documentary ''Don't Knock Yourself Out'', a restored original edit of "Arrival" and extensive archive photos and production stills.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/the-prisoner-the-complete-series-blu-ray-review/ |title=THE PRISONER The Complete Series Blu-ray Review |author=Andre Dellamorte |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=13 December 2009 |access-date=1 April 2019 }}</ref>

''The Prisoner: 50th Anniversary Set'' was released in the [[United Kingdom]] on 29 July 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Prisoner-The-Complete-Series-Blu-ray/248689/|title = The Prisoner: The Complete Series Blu-ray (United Kingdom)}}</ref> It featured a six-disc Blu-ray collection with none of the extra material found on the DVD box-set released for the 40th anniversary included. The first half of Andrew Pixley's production book was now illustrated and presented in hardback, and text commentaries for every episode detailing the production story of the series were included for the first time. A six-CD set of remastered music was also included. Some additional extras were included such as an interview with McGoohan's daughter, Catherine. Missing from the set was the ''Don't Knock Yourself Out'' documentary, the script PDFs and some episode commentaries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://networkonair.com/all-products/2753-prisoner-the-50th-anniversary-limited-edition-blu-ray-|title=The Prisoner: 50th Anniversary Limited Edition |publisher=Network Distributing |access-date=27 March 2019}}</ref>

==Spin-offs==
{{Main|The Prisoner in other media}}

===Books===
In the late 1960s, the TV series quickly spawned three novels tied into the series. In the 1970s and into the 1980s, as the series gained cult status, a large amount of fan-produced material began to appear, with the official appreciation society forming in 1977. In 1988, the first officially sanctioned guide—''The Prisoner Companion''—was released. It was not well received by fans or Patrick McGoohan. In 1989, Oswald and Carraze released ''The Prisoner'' in France with a translated version appearing shortly after.<ref name=Davy/><ref>{{cite book | last1= Carrazé  | first1 = Alain | last2=Oswald  | first2=Hélène | title =The Prisoner – A Televisionary Masterpiece | publisher=[[W. H. Allen Ltd]] | year=1990  | location =London | isbn = 978-1-85227-338-5}}</ref> From the 1990s, numerous other books about the TV series and Patrick McGoohan have been produced. Robert Fairclough's books—including two volumes of original scripts—are considered some of the best researched books available.<ref>{{cite book | first=Robert | last=Fairclough | title=The Prisoner: The Original Scripts | publisher=Reynolds & Hearn  | volume=1  | others=Foreword by [[Lewis Greifer]] | isbn=9781903111765| year=2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first=Robert | last=Fairclough | title=The Prisoner: The Original Scripts | publisher=Reynolds & Hearn  | volume=2  | others=Foreword by Roger Parkes | isbn=9781903111819| date=1 February 2006 }}</ref> For the 40th anniversary, Andrew Pixley wrote a well-received and in depth account of the series' production.<ref name=Davy/> There are guides to shooting locations in Portmeirion and also a biography of co-creator George Markstein. Some members of the production crew have released books about their time working on the series including [[Eric Mival]] and Ian Rakoff.<ref name=Davy/>

===Games===
In the early 1980s, [[Edu-Ware]] produced two computer games based upon the series for the [[Apple II]] computer. The first, titled simply ''[[The Prisoner (computer game)|The Prisoner]]'', was released in 1980, followed by ''[[Prisoner 2]]'' in 1982.

[[Steve Jackson Games]]' popular [[role-playing game]] system ''[[GURPS]]'' released a (now out of print) world book for ''The Prisoner.'' It included maps, episode synopses and details of the Village and its inhabitants.<ref>[http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/Prisoner/ Steve Jackson Games — The Prisoner], accessed 14 January 2008</ref>

===Comics===
In 1988, [[DC Comics]] released [[The Prisoner: Shattered Visage|''Shattered Visage'']], the first part of a four-part series of comics based on the characters in the TV series. In 2018 [[Titan Publishing Group|Titan Comics]] re-issued ''Shattered Visage''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/titan-comics-reissue-prisoner-sequel-shattered-visage-year-1128643 |title=Titan Comics to Reissue 'The Prisoner' Sequel, 'Shattered Visage' |author=Graeme McMillan |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=20 July 2018 |access-date=1 April 2019}}</ref> as well as releasing ''The Prisoner: The Uncertainty Machine'', another four-part series of comics about another spy returning to the Village.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/prisoner-volume-1-uncertainty-machine |title=THE PRISONER – VOLUME 1: THE UNCERTAINTY MACHINE |author=Michael Coldwell |website=[[Starburst (magazine)|Starburst]] |date=6 November 2018 |access-date=1 April 2019}}</ref> Although Patrick McGoohan's Number Six is depicted on covers of the 2018 series, the character plays no direct role in the story.

===Remake===
{{Main|The Prisoner (2009 miniseries){{!}}''The Prisoner'' (2009 miniseries)}}
In 2009, the show was remade as a miniseries, also titled ''[[The Prisoner (2009 miniseries)|The Prisoner]]'', which aired in the U.S. on [[AMC (TV network)|AMC]]. The miniseries stars [[Jim Caviezel]] as Number 6, and [[Ian McKellen]] as Number 2, and was shot on location in Namibia and South Africa. The new series received mainly unfavourable reviews, with a 45/100 rating by 21 critics and 3.6/10 by 82 users as of July 2018.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/tv/shows/theprisoneramc | title = The Prisoner: Season 1 | work = [[Metacritic]] | access-date = 24 July 2018 }}</ref>

===Proposed film adaptations===
[[Simon West]] was attached to a film adaptation of the series in 2001, which failed to materialise.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Guiding the Expedition |first=Edward |last=Gross |magazine=Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Official Movie Magazine |publisher=H&S Media |date=2001 |page=23 |quote=Next up for the director is a feature film adaptation of the cult classic sci-fi series, 'The Prisoner'{{nbsp}}... 'It's a tough nut to crack,' West admits.}}</ref> [[Christopher Nolan]] was reported to be considering a film version in 2009<ref>{{cite news|last=Child|first=Ben|title=Nolan signs to take Inception from script to screen|work=The Guardian|date=12 February 2009|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/feb/12/christopher-nolan-inception|location=London}}</ref> but later dropped out of the project. The producer [[Barry Mendel]] said a decision to continue with the project depended on the success of the television mini-series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/batman/news/nolan-drops-the-prisoner_1113280 |title=Nolan Drops The Prisoner |publisher=Contact Music |date = 13 August 2009|access-date=5 October 2015 }}</ref>

In 2016, [[Ridley Scott]] was in talks to direct a film adaptation.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike|title=Ridley Scott Captivated By 'The Prisoner', Film Version Of Patrick McGoohan TV Series|url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/ridley-scott-the-prisoner-the-martian-patrick-mcgoohan-alien-covenant-1201678547/|access-date=9 January 2016|date=8 January 2016}}</ref> Nolan was once again tied to a potential film in 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/christopher-nolan-oppenheimer-pay-1235938430/|title=Christopher Nolan's Final 'Oppenheimer' Payday Close to $100 Million (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Siegel|first=Tatiana|publisher=Variety|date=12 March 2024|access-date=12 March 2024|language=en}}</ref>

===Audio dramas===
On 5 January 2015, [[Big Finish Productions]], best known for its long-running series of [[BBC]]-licensed audio dramas based upon ''[[Doctor Who]]'', announced that it would be producing licensed audio dramas based on ''The Prisoner'', with the first scheduled for release in 2016, and that Mark Elstob would play Number Six.<ref>[http://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/the-prisoner---the-cast], 19 September 2015; accessed 3 January 2016</ref> The first series, containing new reimaginings of three original series scripts, "Arrival", "The Schizoid Man" and "The Chimes of Big Ben", and one new story, "Your Beautiful Village", written and directed by [[Nicholas Briggs]], was released in January 2016 and was well received.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theunmutual.co.uk/reviewsbigfinish1.htm|title=BIG FINISH - THE PRISONER SERIES ONE |publisher=The Unmutual Reviews |date=2016 |accessdate=10 February 2016}}</ref> The first series also featured [[John Standing]], [[Celia Imrie]], [[Ramon Tikaram]] and [[Michael Cochrane]] as Number Two and Helen Goldwyn as The Village Voice/Operations Controller.

A second series was released in August 2017, comprising four stories: "I Met a Man Today" (adapted from "Many Happy Returns"), "Project Six" (adapted from "A, B and C"), an adaptation of "Hammer into Anvil", and new story "Living in Harmony" (not adapted from the TV episode of the same title).<ref>{{cite web |title=The Prisoner Volume 02 |url=https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-prisoner-volume-02-1461 |website=Big Finish |accessdate=4 June 2020}}</ref>

A third series was released in November 2019, comprising four stories: An adaptation of "Free For All", and new stories "The Girl Who Was Death" (using story elements, but not directly adapted, from the TV episode of the same title), "The Seltzman Connection", and "No One Will Know" (the last two using story elements from "Do Not Forsake Me, O My Darling").<ref>{{cite web |title=The Prisoner Volume 03 |url=https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-prisoner-volume-03-1848 |website=Big Finish |accessdate=4 June 2020}}</ref>

These audio dramas have been broadcast by [[BBC Radio 4 Extra]] as part of its [[The 7th Dimension]] programming.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Prisoner: all episodes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0001f39/episodes/guide |website=BBC Radio 4 Extra}}</ref>

== Cultural impact ==
{{Main|The Prisoner in popular culture}}
Although the show was sold as a thriller in the mould of ''[[Danger Man]]'', McGoohan's previous series, its [[Surrealism|surreal]] and [[Franz Kafka|Kafkaesque]] setting and reflection of concerns of the [[Counterculture of the 1960s|1960s counterculture]] have had a far-reaching influence on [[popular culture]] and the series ultimately developed a [[cult following]].<ref name="Rogers" /><ref name=":1" />

Since its debut, the series' enduring popularity has led to its influencing and being referenced in a range of other media, such as the film ''[[The Truman Show]]'',<ref name="spyscreen">{{cite book |last=Miller |first=Toby |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6eBMVwZo7oAC&pg=PA104 |title=Spyscreen: espionage on film and TV from the 1930s to the 1960s |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2003 |isbn=0-19-815952-8 |page=219}}</ref><ref name="wpost">{{cite news |last=Bernstein |first=Adam |date=15 January 2009 |title=TV Spy Series Star Brought Complex Programming to U.S. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/14/AR2009011403535_pf.html |accessdate=4 October 2009 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> and the television shows ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]''<ref name="wpost" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Thill |first=Scott |date=3 June 2008 |title=Lost Joins Shyamalan's Pixies Lovefest |url=https://www.wired.com/listening_post/2008/06/lost-joins-shya/#more-2553 |accessdate=4 October 2009 |work=Listening Post |publisher=Wired}}</ref> and ''[[The X-Files]]''. The producer of ''The X-Files'' called ''The Prisoner'' "the ''[[Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone with the Wind]]'' of its genre."<ref name="spyscreen" /> Mark Frost, co-creator of [[Twin Peaks|''Twin Peaks'']], has stated that ''The Prisoner'' was a large influence on him and the show.<ref>{{cite podcast |url=https://soundcloud.com/thetalkhouse/esmail-frost-320 |title=Talkhouse |date=2017-11-16}}</ref> ''The Guardian'' wrote that "Without ''The Prisoner'', we'd never have had cryptic, mindbending TV series like ''Twin Peaks'' or ''Lost''. It's the ''[[Citizen Kane]]'' of British TV – a programme that changed the landscape."<ref>{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Steve |date=14 January 2009 |title=Be seeing you: remembering Patrick McGoohan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2009/jan/14/television |accessdate=4 October 2009 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

==Awards and honours==
* The final episode, "[[Fall Out (The Prisoner)|Fall Out]]", received a [[Hugo Award]] nomination for [[Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation|Best Dramatic Presentation]] in 1969.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nesfa.org/data/LL/Hugos/hugos1969.html|title=The Long List of Hugo Awards, 1969|website=www.nesfa.org|access-date=9 February 2016|archive-date=26 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026210244/http://www.nesfa.org/data/LL/Hugos/hugos1969.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In 2002, the series won the [[Prometheus Award|Prometheus Hall of Fame Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lfs.org/releases/2002Winners.shtml|title=September 2002: Prometheus Award Winners|website=www.lfs.org}}</ref>
* In 2004 and 2007, it was ranked No. 7 on ''TV Guide''{{'}}s Top Cult Shows Ever.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/top-cult-shows-40239.aspx |title=TV Guide Names the Top Cult Shows Ever – Today's News: Our Take |publisher=TVGuide.com |date=29 June 2007 |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref>
* In 1997 and 2001, ''TV Guide'' listed "Fall Out" as the 55th Greatest TV Episode of All Time.<ref>{{cite journal |year=1997 |title=Special Collector's Issue: 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time |journal=[[TV Guide]] |issue=28 June – 4 July }}</ref><ref>
 {{cite web|url= http://members.aol.com/speaker606/jim/tv.html |title= The 100 Greatest TV episodes of all time!|date=13 March 2003|work=TV Guide|access-date=3 August 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071028140448/http://members.aol.com/speaker606/jim/tv.html |archive-date = 28 October 2007}}</ref>
* In 2005, readers of ''[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]'' magazine awarded the series fifth place in a poll of British fantasy and science fiction television programmes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4732557.stm |title=Doctor Who named top fantasy show
 |website=[[BBC]] |date=31 July 2005 |access-date=1 April 2019 }}</ref>
* A 2005 survey of leading rock and film stars by ''[[UNCUT (magazine)|Uncut]]'' magazine ranking films, books, music or TV shows that changed the world, placed ''The Prisoner'' at No. 10, the highest for a TV show.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4747739.stm |title=Dylan single 'changed the world' |website=[[BBC]] |date=5 August 2005 |access-date=1 April 2019 }}</ref>
* In 2013, ''TV Guide'' ranked it as the #9 sci-fi show.<ref>{{cite journal|title = Fantastic Voyages: The 60 greatest sci-fi shows of all time|first=Matt|last=Roush|journal=TV Guide|volume = 69|issue =1|year= 2013|pages=14–15}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[In My Mind (film)|''In My Mind'']], documentary about [[Patrick McGoohan]] and the making of ''The Prisoner'' TV series
* [https://sixofone.co/ Six of One], the appreciation society for the Prisoner series 

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book
  | last=Britton  | first=Wesley Alan  | chapter=Chapter 6: The Cold War and Existential Fables: Danger Man, Secret Agent, and The Prisoner
  | title=Spy Television
  | publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group  | year=2004  | location=Westport, CT, USA
  | isbn=978-0-275-98163-1  | pages=93–110
}}
* {{cite book
  | last1 =Carrazé  | first1 = Alain
  | last2=Oswald    | first2=Hélène
  | title =The Prisoner&nbsp;– A Televisionary Masterpiece
  | publisher=W. H. Allen Ltd | year=1990  | location =London
  | isbn = 978-1-85227-338-5 
}}
* {{cite book
  | editor-first=Robert  | editor-last=Fairclough  | title=The Prisoner: The Original Scripts
  | publisher=Reynolds & Hearn  | volume=1  | others=Foreword by [[Lewis Greifer]]
  | oclc=61145235  | isbn=978-1-903111-76-5 
| year=2005 }}
* {{cite book
  | editor-first=Robert  | editor-last=Fairclough  | title=The Prisoner: The Original Scripts
  | publisher=Reynolds & Hearn  | volume=2  | others=Foreword by Roger Parkes
  | oclc=61145235 | isbn=978-1-903111-81-9 
| date=1 February 2006 }}
* {{cite book  | last1=White  | first1=Matthew  | last2=Ali  | first2=Jaffer  | title=The Official Prisoner Companion  | url=https://archive.org/details/officialprisoner00whit  | url-access=registration  | publisher=Warner Books  | year=1988  | location=New York  | isbn=978-0-446-38744-6  }}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0061287|title=The Prisoner}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|tv/the_prisoner_1967/s01}}
* [https://archive.org/details/ThePrisonerPuzzle ''The Prisoner Puzzle'' 1976 companion book of a television show discussing theories about the series]
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-37232329 ''In pictures: The Prisoner at 50 – BBC article'']
* [https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/prisoner-patrick-mcgoohan-50 Six ways cult show ''The Prisoner'' prepared us for the modern world – BFI article]
* [http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/478691/index.html ''The Prisoner'' article at British Film Institute Screen Online]
* [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123241810530696607 "Why ''The Prisoner'' Endures"] by [[John Fund]], ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', 2009-01-20

{{The Prisoner}}
{{Seiun Award - Best Media}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prisoner, The}}
[[Category:The Prisoner| ]]
[[Category:Fiction about bureaucracy]]
[[Category:1967 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:1968 British television series endings]]
[[Category:1960s British drama television series]]
[[Category:1960s British mystery television series]]
[[Category:1960s British science fiction television series]]
[[Category:British spy television series]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Culture of Wales]]
[[Category:Fiction about mind control]]
[[Category:ITV television dramas]]
[[Category:Postmodern television]]
[[Category:Spy thriller television series]]
[[Category:Television series by ITC Entertainment]]
[[Category:Television shows produced by Associated Television (ATV)]]
[[Category:Television shows adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Television shows adapted into novels]]
[[Category:Television shows adapted into video games]]
[[Category:Television shows shot at MGM-British Studios]]
[[Category:Works by Patrick McGoohan]]