Starring: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat, Peter Swanwick, Leo McKern
Created By: Patrick McGoohan & George Markstein
Network: ITV
Original Air Date: 09/29/1967 – 02/01/1968

Do you like Lost? If the answer is yes you might want to take a moment and write Patrick McGoohan a quick ‘Thank you.’ Because without the influence of this groundbreaking series telling of one man trapped in a seemingly idyllic yet sinister locale from which there appears to be no escape you might not have it. From the tranquil setting, the roaring, otherworldly security system, to the sprawling Machiavellian conspiracy to guard its secrets, the influence of The Prisoner on ABC’s flagship drama and shows like it is undeniable.

Modeled after McGoohan’s previous and successful spy drama Danger Man and co-created with former series script editor George Markstein, The Prisoner played like a trippy espionage thriller. Yet the self-contained format of a serialized episodic drama meant that it could diverge each week into some heady, cerebral territory, tackling themes of philosophy, metaphysics, and the nature of ideology. It’s a full on psychedelic Orwellian nightmare. Think 1984 on `shrooms and you’re in the ballpark.

Click here to read the full review at JustPressPlay.net.

This entry was posted on Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 8:23 pm and is filed under British Television, Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.