The Prisoner (TV series)

The Prisoner is a British television series which aired between april and October 1967. Although only 17 episodes were made, The Prisoner grew into one of the most legendary and famous TV series of all time. The series was a great success and immediately acquired a huge cult-following. Today, the series many fan clubs and is still spoken and written much about. The Prisoner is seen as a series that has had much influence on the television history.

The series is about a secret agent who, after he has resigned, is kidnapped and held captive in an idyllic village. He cannot escape from this village and runs up against a dark conspiracy.

The series at the time, aroused much controversy because it went over themes such as drug abuse, the cold war and the right to privacy. All topics that were very topical at the time.

The series officially belongs to the espionage genre, but the various episodes contain elements of just about every genre, ranging from comedy to thriller and science fiction, and even western. Also famous is the design of the series: stylish 60 's costumes, decors, surreallistische locations and psychedelic colors.

The driving force behind the series was Patrick McGoohan. He not only played the lead role, he was also producer and writer of the series. Also, he directed a number of episodes.

The series was shot entirely in coastal village of Portmeirion in Wales, Great Britain, is located. The village is now a bedevaardsoord for fans of The Prisoner.

The series inspired the British heavy metal group Iron Maiden The Prisoner, also to the number on the breakthrough album The number of the beast. In the intro you hear Patrick McGoohan to the word.