Xref: helios.physics.utoronto.ca alt.tv.prisoner:4635 alt.answers:722 news.answers:11546 Path: helios.physics.utoronto.ca!skule.ecf!utnut!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!spool.mu.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!usenet From: patl@lcs.mit.edu (Patrick J. LoPresti) Newsgroups: alt.tv.prisoner,alt.answers,news.answers Subject: THE PRISONER FAQ Part I (no spoilers) Followup-To: alt.tv.prisoner Date: 17 Aug 1993 19:28:44 GMT Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Apostasy Lines: 694 Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu Distribution: world Expires: Thu, 02 Sep 93 00:00:06 GMT Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: golem.mit.edu Archive-name: tv/the-prisoner-faq Version: 3.0 Last-modified: 1993/08/17 This is Part I of the FAQ for _The Prisoner_. I have tried to make it accurate and spoiler-free, but I can guarantee neither. Still, it is probably safe to read this document even if you have never seen the show. All spoilers have been moved to Part II (coming Real Soon Now). Please send me your comments, corrections, and additions, or post them to alt.tv.prisoner. - Patrick LoPresti patl@lcs.mit.edu ---------------------------------------------------------------------- _The Prisoner_ FAQ Part I - No Spoilers TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------- 1: What is _The Prisoner_? 2: Where can I find _The Prisoner_? 3: What are _Danger Man_ and _Secret Agent_? 4: In what order should I watch the episodes? 5: Are there any fan clubs devoted to _The Prisoner_? 6: Where is the Village? 7: What kind of car is KAR120C? 8: What _Prisoner_ material can I find on-line? 9: What _Prisoner_ material can I find in the real world? 10: What is that font? 11: What shows/music/movies refer to _The Prisoner_? 12: In what shows and movies has Patrick McGoohan appeared? 13: Do we ever find out... ASCII Drawings Credits ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1: What is _The Prisoner_? _The Prisoner_ is a television series created by Patrick McGoohan, who also plays the title role. It first aired in Britain in the late 1960's, and has retained a strong (some would say "cult") following ever since. There are reasons for this. It consists of 17 one-hour episodes. While each makes sense when viewed alone (_The Prisoner_ is no soap opera), they also come together as a complete story. The series has a definite beginning and a definite end; the conflicts are resolved and the questions are answered (more or less). There are no transparent hooks for a movie sequel, and there will be no "next generation" :-). On the surface, it is a well done action/suspense show, and is quite enjoyable as such. But closer inspection reveals multiple levels of meaning and numerous possible interpretations, many of which are still debated today. It has a lot of intellectual appeal, with a feel reminiscent of Huxley and Orwell. _The Prisoner_ is a refreshing change from the mindless rubbish so common on modern television. 2: Where can I find _The Prisoner_? The Sci-Fi Channel is currently airs it Sunday nights at 10 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time. The episodes are available on video tape and laser disk; check your local video store, or order them yourself (see below). Local PBS stations used to run the show every once in a while, but the Sci-Fi Channel purchased the rights, so it will not appear on PBS again any time soon. [Note: I have heard that the Sci-Fi Channel only has the rights temporarily. If you have any details, please let me know. Also, this section reflects my U.S. bias; feel free to help me correct it. - Pat] 3: What are _Danger Man_ and _Secret Agent_? _Danger Man_ was the name a series about the secret agent John Drake (played by Patrick McGoohan), a man who preferred to use his intellect to resolve situations. He did not carry a gun, nor did he get involved with every woman he met. McGoohan played a large role in shaping Drake's character, which was a specific reaction against the "James Bond" types so common in cinema and television at the time. Drake had a conscience; the moral conflicts of his job were a major theme in the series. The shows were 30 minutes black and white. Later on, the series was filmed as 60 minute black and white _Secret Agent_ episodes. There were also two color _Secret Agent_ episodes filmed, but they were never released as part of the series. They were later edited together, however, to produce a 100 minute TV movie called KOROSHI. [Note: The mixed up "puzzle" letters that appear in the closing credits of some episodes of _Secret Agent_ unscramble to spell "DANGER MAN".] Patrick McGoohan conceived the concept for _The Prisoner_ while filming some episodes of _Danger Man_ in Portmeirion (the Village). There is also a _Secret Agent_ episode about a "village" of agents training to become imposters that was used as part of the idea for _The Prisoner_ (this is the show where he hides a camera in a typewriter). Many of the actors in _Danger Man_ and _Secret Agent_ also appear in _The Prisoner_. There is some debate on whether _The Prisoner_ is a sequel to _Danger Man_. To call the disagreement violent would be a gross understatement. For more information, watch _The Prisoner_, then refer to Part II of the FAQ [not written yet - Pat]. Opening Lyrics - Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers (Written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri) There's a man who leads a life of danger To everyone he meets, he stays a stranger With every move he makes, another chance he takes Odds are he won't live to see tomorrow. Secret Agent Man, Secret Agent Man They've given you a number and taken away your name. 4: In what order should I watch the episodes? That is a very good question. Here are a few possible orderings: KTEH 6o1 ITC 1st McG *1* || 1 Arrival 2 3 || 8 " || 3 Dance of the Dead 3 4 || 11 9 || 4 Checkmate 4 5 || 2 " || 5 The Chimes of Big Ben 5 2 || 4 " || 2 Free for All 6 9 || 7 " || - Many Happy Returns 7 8 || 5 " || - The Schizoid Man 8 7 || 6 " || - The General 9 6 || 3 " || - A. B. and C. 10 14 || 12 14 || - Living in Harmony 11 10 || 10 11 || - It's Your Funeral 12 13 || 9 13 || - Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling 13 11 || 13 12 || - A Change of Mind 14 12 || 14 10 || - Hammer into Anvil 15 || - The Girl Who Was Death *16* || 6 Once Upon a Time *17* || 7 Fall Out KTEH: Arranged by KTEH channel 54 (San Jose); reportedly approved by McGoohan 6o1: Endorsed by Six of One ITC: "Official" ITC sequence 1st: Original airing sequence McG: Patrick McGoohan's "original seven" episodes which "really count" [Note: "Living in Harmony" was omitted from the first showing of the series in the U.S. Opinions differ on why this happened, but a common explanation is that they were pulled due to the Vietnam era, and the issues concerning drugs and draft dodging.] McGoohan has stated in an interview that he only wanted to do seven episodes, but his financier (Lew Grade) insisted that he needed more in order to sell the series. Grade, in fact, wanted 26 episodes; McGoohan managed to compromise on 17. Some of the extra episodes are basically "filler" and contain no (or re-used) shots of the Village. The seven core episodes are crucial; the rest, though individually worth watching, are less essential to the series as a whole. The show had many production problems. When _The Prisoner_ was first shown on British television, several episodes were still being produced on the date they were supposed to air, so other episodes that were finished were scheduled in their place (in particular, changes were made to "The Chimes of Big Ben" shortly before airtime; hence the existence of the alternate version). The order in which ITC later released the series is considered "official". "Arrival" is indisputably the first episode. "Once Upon a Time" and "Fall Out" are indisputably the last pair. "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" flashbacks to "Arrival" and "Free For All". Four of the script writers thought they were writing the second episode; in two of them, "Dance of the Dead" and "Checkmate", Number Six says he is new, although these were eventually shown about halfway through the series. The Number Two from "The General" returns in "A. B. and C.", and in the opening he says "I am Number Two" instead of "the new Number Two". Also, the Tally Ho bears the headline "Is No. 2 Fit For Further Term?" They seem to belong together in sequence. Examining dates and time periods, the date at beginning of "Schizoid Man" is presumably February 10. In "Many Happy Returns", we learn the date is March 18. In "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling", he has been away for a year. If one arranges the episodes so the interrogation of Number Six gets riskier and more intense as it progresses, then episodes where Number Six's life is endangered like "A. B. and C." and "Schizoid Man" probably belong later in the series. The episodes can also be ordered to show the progression of Number Six as a character, at first angry and trying every chance to escape, making various mistakes and being fooled by simple ploys, later becoming more sophisticated, finding out how the Village works and avoiding the more obvious pitfalls. Or one can order them on the themes, like escape and betrayal, within the series. The producers probably did not care very much about continuity or a consistent dramatic sequence. Thinking about the order of the series and coming up with your own is an interesting way to appreciate the series. 5: Are there any fan clubs devoted to _The Prisoner_? There is only one which is officially recognized by Patrick McGoohan and ITC: Six of One, The Prisoner Appreciation Society. The Six of One newsletter is called "Number Six" and is published quarterly. A year's membership in the Society provides four copies of the newsletter and voluminous other material related to _The Prisoner_. Six of One also hosts a Prisoner convention in Portmeirion (the Village) every summer. Six of One is based in the U.K., and has official points of contact in the U.S. and France. For more information, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: U.S. Six of One, 871 Clover Dr, North Wales, PA, 19454 France Six of One/France, Jean-Michel Philibert, BP 633, 42042 Saint-Etienne Ce'dex, France U.K. Six of One, PO Box 60, Harrogate, HG1 2TP, (and elsewhere) United Kingdom There were several attempts by individual fans, especially in the late 70's, to promote personal newsletters as official fan clubs. These went under such names as "The Green Dome" and "The Prisoner Newsletter". None of these were recognized by ITC, and in most cases they just republished information provided by Six of One. Many were told by ITC or Six-of-One to cease copyright violations. MENSA, the High-IQ organization, had (and may still have) a Prisoner SIG. 6: Where is the Village? In real life, it is a seashore resort called the "Portmeirion Village Hotel" (formally "Hotel Portmeirion") in North Wales, built by the eccentric architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. It is located in the town of Penrhyndeudraeth. To find it on a map, look for Cardigan Bay on the western shore; at the north end is Tremadoc Bay; look along its north-central shore and find the town of Porthmadog; go east, and at the north-eastern corner of Tremadoc Bay, there is an inlet pointing slightly north of east. Portmeirion is on the north shore of that inlet. It is reachable by rail and taxi from London. The Hotel Portmeirion is a hodge-podge collection of odd buildings and structures of all different kinds of architecture. Some were built on-site as examples of styles of architectures, ranging from Oriental to Italianate, and some structures or parts of structures (such as porticos, balconies, and ceilings) were moved from other places, purchased by Sir Williams-Ellis just before they were supposed to be demolished. The buildings are painted in lively, uncoordinated colors on purpose and, they say, are repainted on a carefully scheduled rotation so that some buildings look newly painted, but others look old and scruffy. On some buildings, windows are merely painted on and do not really exist. On others, they get smaller higher up to give the impression of height. The viewer's perspective changes completely with every few steps. The land was once the estate of an eccentric old lady who never let anyone visit and who had a large pack of pet dogs. There is a dog cemetery in the woods along one of the many walks and trails through the grounds. When the lady died, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis bought the land for his architectural project. The beach is exactly as shown in the series. The tides are extreme, with high tide bringing the water up to the stone wall (on which the Stone Boat is built), and low tide exposing a very large sand beach. In fact, you can simply walk a great distance during low tide (a fact kept hidden in the TV series). The main hotel served as the "Old People's Home" in the series. The scattered cottages and buildings served as the private homes, shops, halls, etc. Sir Clough Williams-Ellis's daughter, Susan, went on to found a line of pottery (dinnerware and china). Her flagship design is called, of course, "Portmeirion". It is now world famous and is sold in all the best department stores, including Bloomingdales. Portmeirion Village Hotel Phone: 0766 770228 Portmeirion Fax: 0766 771331 Gwynedd Telex: 61540 PORTM G Wales LL48 6ET United Kingdom 7: What kind of car is KAR120C? The car used in the show was a Lotus Seven series II, which was available as a kit or assembled (hence why the Prisoner claimed he built it). In the U.K., a license plate number stays with the car for life. The real KAR120C Lotus (which was the demo model series II) was used and eventually sold to an Australian. When "Fall Out" was filmed, a quick mock up from a series III was used. Lotus, desiring to termininate production of the car after their failed attempt at marketing a series IV, sold all existing kits, molds, and manufacturing rights to Caterham Cars, their biggest dealer at the time. Caterham went back to the series III, made some internal structural improvements, and renamed the car the "Super Seven". The car is still available and can be purchased as a kit for import into the U.S. If you are seriously considering purchasing a Super Seven, it is important that you avoid imitations (invariably inferior) and find a reputable source. There are at least two such sources in the U.S. which will provide you with an assembled vehicle that you can register in most states as a composite or kit car. On the west coast: Dave Bean Engineering, Inc. 636 E St. Charles Street, Star Route 2 San Andreas, CA 95249-9564 (209) 754-5802 Fax:(209) 754-5177 On the east coast: Sevens and Elans Mr. Chris Tchornicki 248 Hampshire Street Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 497-7777 Caterham may also provide you with other locations, if you can find their address... [Anyone? - Pat] The cost is around $20,000. Delivery is about 6 months. The car looks VERY much the same as it does in the show, but now comes with a 5-speed. The car is VERY VERY fast (0-50 in 4 to 4.5 seconds), and can be painted any color you want. An interesting side note is that the car DID have a problem history of overheating in traffic, just like the Prisoner mentions in "Many Happy Returns". 8: What _Prisoner_ material can I find on-line? The newsgroup "alt.tv.prisoner" is devoted to discussion of the show. It has very low volume, so you can subscribe to it and only marginally increase the amount of your life which you lose to USENET. Here are some anonymous FTP sites with Prisoner material: ftp.ugcs.caltech.edu /pub/gifs/Prisoner ftp.iunet.it /graphics/images/prisoner plan9.njit.edu /pub/sounds/misc/prisoner.wav trantor.ee.msstate.edu /files/text ccadfu.cc.adfa.oz.au /archives.aus-sf/ftp_imports/scifi nic.funet.fi /pub/amiga/audio/samples-long /pub/pics/gif/pics/tv+film/ThePrisoner [Note: nic.funet.fi GIFs accessible within NORDUnet only] Prisoner GIF files are available via anonymous FTP to nic.funet.fi in "/pub/pics/gif/pics/tv+film/ThePrisoner". [Note: The pictures on nic.funet.fi are now only accessible to users within NORDUnet. If you are aware of any other FTP sites with _Prisoner_ related material, please let me know. - Pat] Victor Volkman runs a BBS with a number of Prisoner items in directory #23. The BBS can be reached at 313-663-4173 and 313-663-3959. 9: What _Prisoner_ material can I find in the real world? Books ----- The Prisoner Alain Carraze and Helene Oswald (Virgin Books, 1989) Contains many great color and B&W stills from the series, including behind-the-scenes shots. The Prisoner and Dave Rogers (Boxtree Books, 1989) Danger Man Contains episode synopses from both series. The Official Matthew White and Jaffer Ali (Warner Books, Prisoner Companion 1988) Contains many errors. The Prisoner Thomas M. Disch (N.Y. Ace Publishing, 1969) Who Is Number Two? David McDaniel (N.Y. Ace Books, 1969) A Day In The Life Hank Stine (N.Y. Ace Publishing, 1970) The Prisoner Four part comic book sequel to the tv series (Graphic novels) by Dean Mottter (DC Comics 1988-1989) Highly recommended reading. Book A - A(r)rival Book B - By hook or by crook Book C - Confrontation Book D - Departure These may also be found as a single volume called "Shattered Visage". The Prisoner Puzzle A detailed Canadian educational text from the 70's, which included interviews with Patrick McGoohan. Considered a valued resource; believed to be unavailable now. Videos ------ The 17 episodes are available on video tape and laser disk. There are also three "special" videos: "The Prisoner Companion", "The Best of the Prisoner", and "The Chimes of Big Ben" (alternate version). For about $20 each, any of the tapes may be ordered from: Fusion Video 17214 S. Oak Park Ave Tinley Park, IL 60477-9917 [Note: I would like to have additional addresses where the videos may be ordered. I would especially like to have ANY address for obtaining the laser disks, or a confirmation that none exists (I have heard rumors that the laser disks are no longer produced). If you have any such information, please let me know. - Pat] Miscellany ---------- The Mini-Moke toy (the "Taxi" seen in the series) was available during the time of original broadcast, and is now considered a serious collectors' item. The Six of One organization has obtained at least one of the two real vehicles that were used in the series. Also available at that time were _Prisoner_ watches (with the penny farthing symbol on the face). Both of these are no longer available. Caterham Cars sells a metal miniature model of the Super Seven for about $40 (It's about 3 inches long). A Japanese firm sells a plastic version for slightly less: Model Kits: Lotus Super Seven Series II Tamiya 1500 Cosworth Model Rectifier Corporation (Scale 1:24) Edison, New Jersey, USA 08817 Kit No. 2446A Lotus Super Seven Wills Finecast Sports Racing Car Lower Road, Forest Row (Scale 1:24) Sussex, RH18 5HE, England Kit No. 007 Photos, badges, maps, postcards, and CD soundtracks are available through Six of One, or through the shop located at the Hotel Portmeirion. There are presently two CDs of Prisoner music. Six of One is the "official" source for them, but you can obtain them through the publisher and elsewhere. They are imports, marketed by: Silva Screen Records Ltd, Silva House 261 Royal College Street London NW1 9LU, UK Some items the U.S. viewers see as novel collectables (such as the telephones) are (or were) fairly common items in the U.K. and were not specific to _The Prisoner_. There was an adventure game during the late 70's for Atari and Apple computers, called "The Prisoner". It was made by "Edu-Ware", and was loosely based on the show. There is a _Prisoner_ sourcebook for the GURPS role-playing system by Steve Jackson Games. Its authors did their research. 10: What is that font? The font used in _The Prisoner_ is believed to be a modified form of "Albertus" (dots removed from "i" and "j", loop of "e" opened). Albertus is available from Monotype in Postscript Type 1 format, in their Headliners 6 type set. Call 1-800-MONOTYPE. Albertus is also available in from Image Club Graphics, Inc. (see Personal Publishing magazine). The cost is $75 for 3 styles: normal, bold, and black. Postscript format. Suite 5, 1902 11th Street SE, Calgary AB Canada T2G 3G2; 403-262-8008. In addition, there is an Albertus derivative called "Furioso" which is much less expensive. A freely redistributable sample version (with several characters missing) called "Furisampleoso" is available in Postscript Type 1 format for the Macintosh from your favorite archive site (e.g., anonymous FTP to archive.umich.edu, directory "mac/system.extensions/font/type1"). The complete version includes the Prisoner-style "e", and is available directly from the author for $15: Glenn Fleishman 4058 Latona Ave NE Seattle, WA 98105 [Note: As of June 1993, the above address is correct and the one in the Furisampleoso "Read me" file is wrong. Ignore the latter.] 11: What shows/music/movies refer to _The Prisoner_? The album "Digital Dump" by The Jack Officers (1990 Rough Trade) has a song called "#6" with sound samples from the series. The album "The Prisoner" by Howard Jones (1989); also included a song called "The Portmeirion Mix". Music video "See Those Eyes" by Altered Images was filmed in Portmeirion and features prisoner costumes, Rover, etc. [Note: I KNOW there are many more; unfortunately, I have not saved the relevant articles from alt.tv.prisoner. Contributions to this section are particularly welcome. - Pat] 12: In what shows and movies has Patrick McGoohan appeared? Films: The Dam Busters 1954 The Dark Avenger (aka "The Warrior") 1955 Passage Home 1954 (McGoohan's first film role) I Am a Camera 1955 Zarak 1956 High Tide at Noon 1956 Hell Drivers 1958 The Gypsy and the Gentleman 1958 Nor the Moon by Night (aka "Elephant Gun") 1958 All Night Long 1961 Two Living, One Dead 1961 Life for Ruth (aka "Walk in the Shadow") 1962 The Three Lives of Thomasina 1963 Dr.Syn, Alias the Scarecrow 1963 The Quare Fellow 1962 Ice Station Zebra 1967 The Moonshine War 1970 Mary Queen of Scots 1971 The Genius (aka "Un Genio, Due Compari e Un Pollo") 1975 Silver Streak 1976 Trespasses (aka "Finding Katie") 1983 Brass Target 1979 Escape from Alcatraz 1979 Scanners 1980 Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend 1985 Kings and Desperate Men 1978 TV movies: Koroshi 1966 The Man in the Iron Mask 1976 The Hard Way 1980 Three Sovereigns for Sarah 1985 Jamaica Inn 1982 Of Pure Blood 1986 TV Series: Secret Agent (aka "Danger Man") The Prisoner Rafferty (1977) Other Series: Appeared in 3 episodes of "Columbo" (won an Emmy) Appeared in an episode of "Murder She Wrote" Hosted TV movie "Trilogy of Terror" The Vise (1953), episode "Gift from Heaven" You are There (1954), episode "The Fall of Parnell" The Makepeace Sage (1956), episode "Ruthless Destiny" Armchair Theater (1964), play "The Man Out There" Play of the Week (1964), play "Sargent Musgrave's Dance") TV Plays: All My Sons 1955 Disturbance 1957 The Little World 1957 The Third Miracle 1957 Rest in Violence 1958 This Day in Fear 1958 The Iron Harp 1959 Terminus Number One 1959 Brand 1959 The Greatest Man in the World 1959 The Big Knife 1959 A Dead Secret 1961 The Prisoner 1962 (NOT related to the later series!) Shadow of a Pale Horse 1962 Theater: PM has acted a great deal in theater. Some outstanding examples of his work are: Serious Charge (Garrick Theatre, London, 1954) Moby Dick (Orson Welles's production, 1955) Brand (Lyric Opera House, Hammersmith, 1959) 13: Do we ever find out... ...the name of the big white ball? ...the Prisoner's real name? ...where the Village is located? ...whether the Prisoner escapes? ...who is Number One? ...which side runs the Village? Yes, no, in the Village, questions are a burden, you are Number Six, and that would be telling, respectively. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- _________ | | _o_ _| ___=___ |_ _o_ /`-'\( ) ( )/`-'\ | |-| ___@___ |-| | | | | (-+-+-+-) | | | | |--\_KAR120C_/--| | `---' `---' (Thanks to Flemming Larsen for the Lotus picture) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- o ooooooo oooo$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ooo$$$$$$$$$$""$$"$""o$o$"" oo$$$$$$$"$"$o$$oo$$$$$$$$$"" oo$$$$$$""o$oo$$$$"o$"$$"$ oo$$$$$$$""o$$$$" " "$oo" o$$$$$$$oo$o$$"" $ o$$$$""$o$$$$ $$ $$"o$$$$" $$ "$""$ o ooo$$ooo "o $ $$$$$$$$$"" " $" " " o "o ""$$"o o" " o "o o"$ $ o o o$"" " " "o o"o o " $ " o$$$$$$$$$oo "o """ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$o o $$ $$$$$$" $$$$$$ o" o$$$$$" o " o"o "$$$$$oo$$$$$$oo " $ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ " $ " "$$$$$$" "$$$$$$ " o " "$$$$$$ $$$$$$ " $ " $$$$$$ $$$$$$ " o " $o " "$$$$$$ooo$$$$$$ " " $ " " "$$$$$$$$$$"" " " $ " " """"""" " " o$ " " o" " " "o o o " "o o " " o o o " " o o o o o " (Thanks to Jason Lee Smith for the Penny Farthing picture) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CREDITS ------- Keith G. Barrett wrote the original FAQ, and most of the material here is his work. David Moisan (moisan@bronze.lcs.mit.edu) and F.W. Laughton (F.W.Laughton@newcastle.ac.uk) contributed the list of FTP sites. .