An action sequence from FREE FOR ALL

The action sequences in THE PRISONER were always of the highest quality and the stunt men and women doubling for the assorted villagers, heavies, guards and Number Six himself were amongst the most respected in the business. Frank Maher chose each one with great care, acting as casting director in some cases to ensure that, not only did the episode in question get stunt people with the right kind of experience and expertise, but also ones who physically looked the part and were competent actors. If I had to choose one particular action sequence where casting, cheoreography and action coupled with superb direction and editing came together in a demonstration of film-making at it's best, then I'd have to look hard at the climactic fight sequence in FREE FOR ALL. The moment when Peter Brace and Alf Joint emerge through the floor is pure gothic horror and the chase and fight scene in the claustrophobic confines of the Rover Cave echo perfectly the overall sense of manipulation and predetermined conclusion which the episode manifests.

"From dotty chalet maid to cold, calculating evil personified"

Here we see for the first time the brutality and sadism which underpins the Village. It never really surfaces again to this extent - there's a hint of it in A,B &C and in DANCE OF THE DEAD, but here you get it in spades. Rachel Herbert is truly frightening as she emerges with measured malevolance from dotty chalet maid to cold, calculating evil personified. The Gestapo would have thrown her out for being too cruel !!!! Although Patrick McGoohan takes overall directorial credit, it's a compliment to Frank Maher's direction of the actors here that this fight remains as effective today as it was then. We know that nobody really gets hurt, but that backwards punch to Number Six's lower back still makes me wince! The picture strip below illustrates just some of the complexity of the action.

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