THE PRISONER - VISIT PORTMEIRION

Patrick McGoohan not only starred as Number Six, the leading role in The Prisoner, he was also the creator and driving force behind the 17 episode series. The series was financed by ITC Entertainment with David Tomblin as the Producer and George Markstein as script editor. Many well known actors had guest roles in the series: Leo McKern, Peter Bowles, Eric Portman, Patrick Cargill, Mary Morris, Paul Eddington and Donald Sinden to name but a few. It was probably one of the most influential pieces of televison of the 1960s not only in the UK and USA but also in France, Australia and many other countries. Even The Beatles were fans. Its cult status was confirmed with the establishment in the 1970s of the official Prisoner Appreciation Society,Six of One.

EPISODE TITLES (In telecast 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

In the opening sequence of the Prisoner we see Patrick McGoohan as he angrily resigns his top secret government position and then drives through London under a stormy sky. He gets home, packs a bag, some holiday brochures fall out. A white gas hisses through the keyhole and he falls unconscious. He awakes in an identical room but through the window sees a strange village surrounded by sea and mountains. Everything looks cheerful and bright, with gaily dressed people and quaint turreted buildings. But the village has a sinister purpose, its population are prisoners, identified only by a number, from whom information is required.

There is no escape. The prisoners have had all desire to escape taken away, either by their purposeless existence, brainwashing or surgery. Number 6 is the only one with the will to escape, the one who refuses to be broken: "I am not a number; I am a free man".

The series asks more questions than it answers. Why is Number 6 being held? Why did he resign? Who is Number 6? Who are his jailers? Who is Number 1? The village is run by Number 2 whose identity changes from episode to episode.

The series is rich in imagery and visual impact. The surreal architecture of the village with its Mediterranean atmosphere coupled with the high-tech interiors, tannoys, surveillance cameras and piped music create a bizarre combination. There is great attention to detail throughout with no item too large or small to receive the Prisoner stamp from steet signs to cans of food to village credit cards, Mini Moke taxis and staff uniforms. Large and menacing balloons (occasionally referred to as 'Rover') patrole the perimiter. A dwarf, mute butler opens the door to No 2's Green Dome.

Enigmatic to the end, the last episode caused ITV's telephone lines to be blocked by the many millions of viewers who called in desperate for an explanation. Even though the series is close to 30 years old, there are new viewers who may not have seen it before and we do not wish to spoil it by revealing the ending here. Many diverse and creative conclusions have been drawn from the series such as was Number 6 a victim of a nervous breakdown, or is he, like us, a prisoner of ourselves? Was this an allegorical conundrum or a statement about personal freedom, democracy and social engineering?

If you would like more information about The Prisoner let us known at:

SixOfOne@netreach.net

websites:

6 of 1

the Prisoner Appreciation Society

The Portmeirion Convention

You can purchase Prisoner goods on line direct from the Prisoner Shop at Portmeirion here:
Buy Prisoner stuff on line

VISIT PORTMEIRION

Visit free between 1st November and 31st March with free entry voucher. Follow this link to download voucher.

Open daily 09:30 - 17:30 except Christmas Day.

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Route Planner - just type Portmeirion as your destination on the AA's website Theaa.com

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PLEASE NOTE GUIDE DOGS ONLY ALLOWED IN THE VILLAGE

BY CAR

FOR SAT NAV USE LL48 6ER

From Manchester Airport take the M56 (West) onto the A550. Follow signs for the A55 and North Wales. Follow the A55 expressway as far as the Caernarfon (A487) turn-off. Follow the A487 towards Caernarfon and Porthmadog. Portmeirion is 1 ½ miles South of Porthmadog signposted from the main road at Minffordd. 100 miles. Approximately 2 ½ hours.

From Birmingham Airport take the M6 (northbound). After junction 10 turn onto the M54 which leads onto the A5. Follow the A5 for Llangollen, Corwen. 3 miles past Corwen turn left onto the A494 for Bala. At Bala turn right onto the A4212 for Trawsfynydd where you turn right for Porthmadog. Follow signs for Porthmadog. Portmeirion is 1 ½ miles West of Penrhyndeudraeth on the A487 signposted at Minffordd. 100 miles. Approximately 2 ½ hours.

From London (Shepherd’s Bush): Take the M40 then the M6 at Birmingham (use toll road if congestion is bad, then follow signs for M54). After M6 junction 10 turn onto the M54 which leads onto the A5. Follow the A5 for Llangollen, Corwen. 3 miles past Corwen turn left onto the A494 for Bala. At Bala turn right onto the A4212 for Trawsfynydd where you turn right for Porthmadog. Follow signs for Porthmadog. Portmeirion is 1 ½ miles West of Penrhyndeudraeth on the A487 signposted at Minffordd. 240 miles. Approximately 4 ½ hours.

From Cardiff: Follow the A470 to Trawsfynydd. Follow signs for Porthmadog. Portmeirion is 1 ½ miles West of Penrhyndeudraeth on the A487 signposted at Minffordd. 160 miles from Cardiff Bay. Approximately 3 1/2 hours.

PRIVATE HELCOPTER

We have a heliport at GRID REF SH59283764. Advance notice is required of any planned landings please. There is a £50.00 + VAT landing fee for patrons of The Hotel Portmeirion and Castell Deudraeth. For other users there is a landing charge of £250 + VAT. Please contact our Estates Manager Meurig Jones to arrange on meurig@portmeirion-village.com , direct line 01766 772306 or mobile 07795294825

PORTMEIRION LTD

Minffordd, Penrhyndeudraeth
Gwynedd

LL48 6ER

Cymru/Wales.

01766 772311 (Tollgate)

01766 770000 (Hotel Reception)

Email: info@portmeirion-village.com

Source : www.portmeirion-village.com

Welcome to Portmeirion Village in North Wales | Portmeirion

Portmeirion is a unique coastal resort in North Wales with hotels, cafes, shops & self-catering cottages. Open all year for family days, short breaks & weddings.

http://www.portmeirion-village.com/en/