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PATRICK McGOOHAN
1928 - 2009
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It's now over fifteen years since I started this website. Originally intended as a reference source for the music used in "The Prisoner", it grew at an alarming rate and now contains so much information, even I can't remember what's in these pages without peeking inside. As one would expect of a television series made over forty years ago, interest in "The Prisoner" series is steadily declining apart from hard core fans and those generally into cult television. From my point of view, it's becoming difficult to generate the interest and time to add to the already enormous amount of information already here.
There will be the occasional update as and when anything interesting happens but the site will generally remain 'as is'. Most of the factual content within the archived pages won't age, other bits of pieces will become outdated but I'm leaving them in place for people to read should they so wish. Bear in mind that many of those articles and features were written several years ago and things such as links, reference sources and prices may no longer be valid.
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AMC and Marvel Comics gave away an exclusive printed edition of The Prisoner Sneak Peek Comic at Comic-Con. A pdf version is available from the AMC website.
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The new (or is that "re-imagined") version of THE PRISONER premiered in November 2009 in the USA and will come to the UK early in 2010. The critics were less than kind but maybe they were expecting something different. The original was hardly the critics favourite either so make up your own mind. AMC have been running teasers on their website for quite some time but their site still has a wealth of information, photos, posters and screensavers available for viewing or downloading.
As to whether the show is any good is up to the individual, it's certainly a confusing mixture of shouting, running around, agonising, full of flashbacks and flashforwards and, although he tries very hard, Jim Caviezel is hardly Pat McGoohan standard. However, love it or loath it, it IS a high budget production which incorporates some of the elements from the McGoohan show layered into a modern action thriller. There are the seemingly obligatory bed sheets and pyrotechnics of course (ho hum) but the emphasis is on "people".
Ian McKellen makes a wonderful Number Two ... charming, funny, eternally eccentric and infinitely dangerous. His delivery of the iconic "Be Seeing You" line is quite chilling, but his comic timing throughout is immaculate. When Number 6 complains that Number 2 will take his mind away, McKellen turns and with a perfectly straight face says, "We might ... but we'll always give it back."
Some characters from the original, albeit updated, are there if you look for them, and I'd particularly draw your attention to the old man that the Jim Caviezel character finds in the wilderness. Striped blazer? Yachting shoes? Lava lamp back in his room? "Number 93" ... hmmmm ... 9 minus 3? Nah, I'm just being silly.
AMC’s The Prisoner blog is the place to go for the full story:
http://blogs.amctv.com/the-prisoner/
Ian McKellen (Number 2) and Jim Caviezel (Number 6) |
For those interested in obtaining quality memorabilia and souvenirs of "The Prisoner" original series, the following range of specially produced "Escape" merchandise is recommended. Please note that these items are from a source separate this website and all orders and enquiries should be directed there as indicated.
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This volume brings together three original works of "Prisoner" fiction by Roger Langley.
Previously available as separate books, the stories revisit Number Six, back in The Village and engaged in yet more battles with the latest incarnations of Number Two and his endless struggle to retain his individuality. The plots retain the familiar structure of the television version of "the Prisoner", but bring a fresh slant on the themes and aspirations of the series in a way that can only be realised on the printed page.
Well written, thought provoking and frequently "edge of the seat" drama. Highly recommended, add this book to your collection!
Now available from:-
THE OFFICIAL PORTMEIRION WEBSITE - where there is now an online shopping service, including the PRISONER TRILOGY and many other Prisoner items, at THE PRISONER SHOP
There is also a small selection of Prisoner merchandise, including the book, at:
ESCAPE
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PAY SAFELY AND SECURELY BY PAYPAL
Euro 12.99
DELIVERED TO EUROPE
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$21.99
DELIVERED TO THE USA/CANADA/ROW
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All prices include postage and packing.
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1” Prisoner enamel No. 6 badge with reverse push pin - silver colour, red and white
4 replica welfare, health, employment and credit cards - as seen in Prisoner epsiode Arrival
Certificate of authenticity
1” Prisoner No. 6 button badge
Replica 3” No. 6 badge fridge magnet
Glossy 48 page booklet “Portmeirion in ‘The Prisoner’ and Its History” - all the Village buildings and places, studio sets and backdrops plus maps, charts and Portmeirion history
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PAY SAFELY AND SECURELY BY PAYPAL
£10.99
DELIVERED TO THE UK
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Euro 14.99
DELIVERED TO EUROPE
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$22.99
DELIVERED TO THE USA/CANADA/ROW
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All prices include postage and packing.
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1 One inch Prisoner No. 6 button badge (new item)
1 Prisoner Trilogy - new paperback - trio of Prisoner fiction stories, fully illustrated, 264 pages
1 Convention card Peter Wyngarde (actor - Checkmate)
1 Convention card Michael Billington (actor - A Change of Mind)
1 Convention card Roger Parkes (writer - A Change of Mind)
1 Colour movie map of North Wales showing film locations including Portmeirion
1 Portmeirion directory listing all the buildings in “The Village” with map with numbered key guide
1 No. 2 badge decal
1 No. 6 badge decal
1 Four inch colour penny farthing logo
1 Two inch pennyfarthing Prisoner logo
1 One inch double sided Prisoner colour logo
1 Replica autograph Patrick McGoohan Prisoner publicity card
6 monochrome postcards with various Prisoner themes
1 Colour A5 semi-gloss card sheet of 8 colour Prisoner shots (2 designs shown)
20 items in all - picture shows all items but only one of some is included, as listed above
Picture is representative of all items, some shown in differing sizes for inclusion
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PATRICK MCGOOHAN - DANGER MAN OR PRISONER?
by Roger Langley
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 YOU CAN ORDER YOUR COPY FROM THE PUBLISHERS WEBSITE
|  The book has 340 pages, about 470 pictures, 12 chapters, 7 appendices, a foreword by Peter (Columbo) Falk and colour covers. Retailing at £14.99, this is the first full biography to be published and can be ordered direct from the publishers at TOMAHAWK PRESS or from other book stores and online sellers.
Researched and written by Roger Langley, the book has complete stage and screen listings, awards and archive material with celebrity comments and is illustrated with many never before published photographs.
Often combining the key roles of Actor, Writer, Director and Producer, Patrick McGoohan is a complex Renaissance artist with an impressive body of work. His achievements and failures reveal a driven, highly moral, highly creative star, who steadfastly abhors the glare of publicity. Despite his reluctance to embrace the media frenzy which surrounds ‘show business’, McGoohan’s enigmatic screen persona and his fearless dedication to the performing arts continue to conquer and fascinate new audiences all over the world. He has been described as “The British Orson Welles” by folksinger and fan, Donovan. McGoohan and his work still have fan clubs all over the world. This book will tell you why!
Several newspaper articles and radio interviews have been appeared following considerable interest in the book by the media. A selection appears below, just click the links to access.
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Sean Moncrieff on Irish radio station "Newstalk" part 1
Thursday 1st May 2008, talking to Roger Langley - 3.52 mins
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Sean Moncrieff on Irish radio station "Newstalk" part 2
Thursday 1st May 2008, talking to Roger Langley - 3.46 mins
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Sean Moncrieff Irish radio station "Newstalk"
Thursday 1st May 2008 Prisoner extract - 20 seconds
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Richard Evans show talking with Roger Langley
BBC Radio Wales Wednesday 30th April 2008
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Studio interview on BBC Radio Suffolk part 1
9th October, 2007 with Luke Deal (6.0 mins)
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Studio interview on BBC Radio Suffolk part 2
9th October, 2007 with Luke Deal (5.5 mins)
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Studio interview on BBC Radio Solent part 1
9th October, 2007 with Charlie Crocker (6.3 mins)
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Studio interview on BBC Radio Solent part 2
9th October, 2007 with Charlie Crocker (6.0 mins)
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Telephone interview on BBC Radio Bristol part 1
10th October, 2007 with Richard Lewis (5.0 mins)
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Telephone interview on BBC Radio Bristol part 2
10th October, 2007 with Richard Lewis (6.3 mins)
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Studio interview on BBC Radio Sheffield part 1
19th November, 2007 with Gerry Kersey (8 mins)
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Studio interview on BBC Radio Sheffield part 2
19th November, 2007 with Gerry Kersey (12 mins)
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In-depth review