The Prisoner " Once Upon A Time... "

[Lieu3C4]

Ohe for the days when doors stood alone, as if all other concerns were irrelevant, invisible, unplaced by products of human existence, the theatre of the real thing.

[lunasspecto]

"I'm going to appeal against unfair treatment!"

"You're getting the same treatment as everybody else!"

"I know; that's why I'm going to appeal!"

[dubbleagent22]

Wish this was in better quality.

[HMservant]

the guy who played inspector morse had a heartattack during one of his episodes as well. it must be a profession requirement!

[urutta]

Patrick McGoohan and Leo McKern at their best, probably my favorite episode of all time.

[sarahapha]

I loved this show than....and I love it now!!!!!

[StormsongK]

Leo McKern had a nervous breakdown while filming this episode, not a heart attack.

[reelcooltime]

Paddy Fitz D.O.A.

[pressgangers]

the prisoner, total bonkers, genius but bonkers not looking forward to the remake at all, i know its going to be rubbish, why touch something thats untouchable

[AzBirdDog]

Because the yahoo's actually think that they're going to make money. Just milking a dead horse. Patrick won't be in it, he's not directing it, IT'S NOT IT!!! STATE CONFIDENTIAL SECRET! I CAN'T TELL YOU! LOL. Silly beans! :) Man, I learned core values when I was young, and watching this. Some can call me a fool, But nobody can call me a rat. BCNU

[cha5]

You're right, I saw it last night and "rubbish" is too kind a term for that AMC remake.

When I see something like the original "Once Upon A Time" here I just know that remake won't come close to what you see from

McGoohan and McKern here i.e. something truly memorable.

[reelcooltime]

I am not a number i am a free man. I think those words couldnt ring truer for a kid of thirteen back then.

It was those late nights in 89 when we invaded panama and letterman was interupted. And then the prisoner came on and I thought " why is this show from the 60s (which seemed like a completely different planet) seem so in tune with what is going on?

In that, the prisoner is truly timeless. That is why they havent been able to remake yet. Because it is still relevant.

[siralexandergibson]

mcgoohan is the saddest i've ever seen

[lutont59]

Shine on, Patrick McGoohan!

[DanielMumby]

I love the way that the camera slowly zooms out around "In a restricted zone!": it makes Leo McKern look like he's very short, levitating and has a wooden leg

[eddiedaskull]

Of course he is talking about the Masions

[cha5]

No The Prisoner is about conformity, repression, the individual.

Nothing really about the pros or cons of Freemasonry.

[autodelete66]

So what, but still relevant.

[cha5]

So everything, and yes this show is more relevant than ever these days.

[redfrog999]

"Unrestricted murder on the public highways!"

[BrokenChair88]

This is the best episode of the Prisoner.

[unconsious767]

"Unrestricted murder on the public highways" - LOL

[mowriter]

Magnificent...just magnificent.

[CaptainOatwright]

Great series but this is one of the more confusing and least enjoyable episodes imo. My fav episode is "Do Not Forsake Me" when he (seemingly) escapes to Switzerland! Chilling, macabre, slightly strange but totally ingenious, unique and strangely timeless!

[VicFetters]

Strange, very strange. But this was my life's story. And now I sit here remembering the past. And yet, here I am. A Free Man!

[teflonmagnet]

no shit...i'm a huge leo mckern fan (mostly from rumpole yrs) and had know idea leo suffered a heart attack during an anctual scene.  he was always sweating profusely on rumpole.

[halidefox]

I love the way that Number Six is capable of withstanding the interrogation - he's still being manipulated so that he doesn't know what's real but his basic nature keeps him from giving in.

[GOTHMIDNIGHTMERMAID]

What show is this?

[yanshane]

The Prisoner

[alan48ridgley]

the most surreal and thought provoking t.v ever made! still chilling,after 40 years! i watched it as a child of eight.i wonder if any t.v producers/directors were influenced by it? the following decade was one for cutting edge drama & documentries.sadly no more!

[ffruuitube]

i won't watch it , now i understand society a little more .

[theinnerlight87]

A hundred times better than the crap on TV these days, absolutely brilliant.

Acting, writing, directing all superb!

Why is The Prisoner no longer on TV?!

[Ashworth6]

ITV are currently developing a new, "re-imagined" series, much like the BBCs new Dr Who. I haven't heard who will play Number Six though.

[mgabrysSF]

it's been shelved.

[Ashworth6]

Really? Not sure if I'm disappointed or relieved.  Thanks for the info.

[HeartBreakHigh]

LOL, I'm relieved! This is the most classical before its time kind of TV programme ever and should never be redone I say! Another series doing the theme of The Prsioner but not an actual remark. This TV prog was so unique, and is still unique.

[theinnerlight87]

Fron what I hear, ITV have picked it up. It is listed on IMDB as being in production for release in 2009...

[mgabrysSF]

You're right wikipedia just updated the press announcement from Oct of last year. Previously it announced the abandonment 2 months prior. This doesn't sound too firm to me tho - you'd think there'd be more news in the last 6 months.

[theinnerlight87]

Hmm yeah, I thought that. The amount of times a film or TV series has been cancelled, I'd be amazed if anything ends up happening!

[Jcolinsol]

Doing a pure remake or "re-imagining" just wouldn't work. This thing is of its time.

There is space to create something as meaningful as this, using similar themes. To my thinking, shows like "Lost" exploit the interest of a show like "The Prisoner" without having any real content.

[1977Melville]

@theinnerlight87. It had a finite run. It wasn't cancelled, just finished its run.

[theinnerlight87]

@1977Melville I wasn't referring to The Prisoner series itself, I was referring to the amount of times companies attempted to get a remake up and running, just to have the whole thing fall apart before production started. Obviously, since my comment was made, there has been a remake.

[BillDFC]

Sinister and scary...maybe more fact than fiction....we are all in the village....no individuals allowed.

[stestooge]

Leo mckern,the best No2,amazing episode!

[114crs]

You are a unit.

I'd love to watch this series again, I just wish I'd understood it the first time around.

Thanks for posting.

[kpb96m]

Leo McKern had to be taken to the hospital for what they thought was a hart attack while filming the intense scene with the two yelling. Get the DVD set. It explains it all.

[FensterPoonwillie]

Comparing this episode to the typical blather one finds on TV today is like dividing by zero.

[saskabush2006]

I would love to see this episode adapted as a stage play -- it's perfect for that venue.

[cha5]

Yes IMHO this series is more timely than ever

these days.

[mowriter]

Unparalleled episode!

In a series filled with highbrow, cerebral, and intellectual cat-and-mouse, this episode brings out the raw, visceral brutality of both men; Leo McKern matches McGoohan blow for blow, up to the very end.

[Speedball57]

I wish I could see more!

[yanshane]

You can.... they're all on DVD.

[radiooctaves]

@Speedball57 You can and should, it's excellent.

[ThetwamLeyra43]

Awesome acting!

[meowrunner]

oooo! I looved this eppisode!

it was cool...:D