It was strange for a brother from the hood to like classic British TV series, but I was no ordinary brother. In Cleveland, Ohio (my hometown), I fell in love with the Saint, the Barron, The Persuaders, Monty Python, and so many others. But if there was one show that intrigued me from day one till now it was The Prisoner starring Patrick McGoohan. He was, and always, Number Six--the lone prisoner who tried each week to leave his prison called the Village. He was thwarted by spies, counter spies, and a weather balloon named "Rover" which was one of the most menacing images in television history.
My hero, Mr. McGoohan, died today at the ripe old age of 80. Finally, Number Six is free!
McGoohan did more than just The Prisoner; he also starred in Secret Agent, started in films like Ice Station Zebra and played a murderer whom detective Columbo pursued in the 70s. But many will best remember him as the king in Mel Gibson's movie Braveheart. At one time he was considered to replace Sean Connery as James Bond. Simply put, he was one of my liberal heroes who is...was, the consummate hero to me.
I have a few episodes at home along with a companion tape of the old Prisoner series. He made the show in response to his years of playing a spy never naming who he was, but the premise he built up in the series was unique.
The spy resigns his post in London and was ready to leave for vacation. He gets knocked out and wakes in an picturesque Village. It looks like you can get away, at first, but you can't. Each week a new number 2 tries to break him in finding out the reason he resigned and if he's working for someone else. Number Six fought with the resolve of being the individual.
From Yahoo News: LOS ANGELES – Patrick McGoohan, the Emmy-winning actor who created and starred in the cult classic television show "The Prisoner," has died. He was 80.
McGoohan died Tuesday in Los Angeles after a short illness, his son-in-law, film producer Cleve Landsberg, said.
McGoohan won two Emmys for his work on the Peter Falk detective drama "Columbo," and more recently appeared as King Edward Longshanks in the 1995 Mel Gibson film "Braveheart."
But he was most famous as the character known only as Number Six in "The Prisoner," a sci-fi tinged 1960s British series in which a former spy is held captive in a small enclave known only as The Village, where a mysterious authority named Number One constantly prevents his escape.
Everytime I watched the series I took away something new, fresh, or different. The Prisoner was ahead of many shows of the time and still influences many shows like Alias, 24, and others. The Simpsons and (I think) Jimmy Neutron spoofed the Prisoner at some point.
McGoohan did challenge the viewer about issues ranging from war, election, politics, individuality, and so much more. AMC (American Movie Channel) will honor show by doing a six part mini-series with a 21st century update of the show. No disrespect to AMC or others, but there will only be one Number Six in my book. I could never be left of center, or even consider the rights of the individual, without McGoohan.
If you've ever seen him running on the beach trying to escape from Rover, shouting at the sky with the words coming over "the telly": "I am not a number, I am a free man!"
No Rover to worry about mate. You can run to your freedom!
Episodes of the Prisoner can be seen here on the AMC page
The link to the New update to The Prisoner on AMC
P.S.--I didn't realize some else beat me to it, but it's good to see so many who loved this show, and the man.
There is a funny story I have to share with you all.
I was making a delivery to downtown Cincinnati (a routine run for me) and was thinking about the Prisoner's theme song. I was whistling it while heading down the road when I saw something in my rear view mirror that scared me big time. In my mirror there was the same car Number Six drove; it was summer time so of course there was not top or anything, just his car and the same license plate at the front of the vehicle.
"If there is a hearse behind it I'm going over the bridge to Kentucky and never coming back," I thought to myself. We ended up at the same light heading towards Fountain Square. I rolled down my window and asked the driver a question.
Abacab: "Excuse me, but what kind of car is that?"
Driver: "A Lotus! Why do you ask?"
A: "Well, I am a fan of the show 'The Prisoner' and that car is one of my favorite things about the show."
D: "Funny you mentioned that because I was in college when I saw the show for the first time. When I saw the car Number Six drove I knew I had to have it. It took me years, but I finally got my hands on one."
The light turned green and we both gave the sign to each other: "Be Seeing You!"
Not in a million years...and this IS a true story folks!