4 reviews
There will be no spoilers in this review. Unfortunately other reviewers have not been so careful
IF you have seen and are a fan of the TV series The Prisoner, this is a must see. McGoohan is a fascinating human being and seeing him drawn out to explain himself is wonderful.
BUT if you have not seen The Prisoner, DO NOT watch this documentary first. It is full of spoilers and will completely ruin the effect McGoohan was trying to achieve in making this ground breaking TV series. If you have never seen the series, it is worth binge watching. There are only 17 episodes in total. Then see this and you will enjoy both experiences.
IF you have seen and are a fan of the TV series The Prisoner, this is a must see. McGoohan is a fascinating human being and seeing him drawn out to explain himself is wonderful.
BUT if you have not seen The Prisoner, DO NOT watch this documentary first. It is full of spoilers and will completely ruin the effect McGoohan was trying to achieve in making this ground breaking TV series. If you have never seen the series, it is worth binge watching. There are only 17 episodes in total. Then see this and you will enjoy both experiences.
- charlesadamek
- Jul 1, 2020
- Permalink
IN MY MIND is a fitting title for this documentary on the iconic British 1967 TV show THE PRISONER starring/produced and sometimes directed/written by Patrick McGoohan, as in essence it was really an exercise in mind games that still confuses millions of viewers and fans to this very day.
What a legacy for McGoohan to leave, one of confusion that this documentary documents so well, specially in how his reluctant attitude to even being interviewed about the oddest and probably most controversial TV show to ever come out of Britain.
The fact that THE PRISONER disappointed and angered so many when it was first shown, is testimony to it's unique greatness. It's like having to watch 2001 A Space Odyssey a few times to understand it... and oddly enough, that was being filmed at MGM Borehamwood studios at the same time.
Chris Rodley should be congratulated for making his tribute documentary to a show who's legendary star Patrick McGoohan is so famous for not wanting to be interviewed or even noticed. Rodley had to piece this together using a lot of patience with McGoohan and his mood swings.
Was the actor playing himself or his character Number Six... or both even at the same time. Either way, this is the BEST we'll ever going to get on the subject, and that's also thanks to daughter Catherine McGoohan, who I'm sure talked her Dad into surfacing before the camera. There's some great behind-the-scenes footage and rare interviews to round-off this 50th Anniversary PRISONER salute!
What a legacy for McGoohan to leave, one of confusion that this documentary documents so well, specially in how his reluctant attitude to even being interviewed about the oddest and probably most controversial TV show to ever come out of Britain.
The fact that THE PRISONER disappointed and angered so many when it was first shown, is testimony to it's unique greatness. It's like having to watch 2001 A Space Odyssey a few times to understand it... and oddly enough, that was being filmed at MGM Borehamwood studios at the same time.
Chris Rodley should be congratulated for making his tribute documentary to a show who's legendary star Patrick McGoohan is so famous for not wanting to be interviewed or even noticed. Rodley had to piece this together using a lot of patience with McGoohan and his mood swings.
Was the actor playing himself or his character Number Six... or both even at the same time. Either way, this is the BEST we'll ever going to get on the subject, and that's also thanks to daughter Catherine McGoohan, who I'm sure talked her Dad into surfacing before the camera. There's some great behind-the-scenes footage and rare interviews to round-off this 50th Anniversary PRISONER salute!
- grahamhill-1
- May 19, 2020
- Permalink
I'm a fan of Patrick McGoogan's landmark series "The Prisoner" from that epochal year in the arts 1967. Having wrapped up his long-running TV series as "Danger Man" McGoohan went to Lou Grade to pitch his idea for a new programme based on the question about what the establishment does with secret agents who want out. His No. 6 has become a cult figure for all who would rebel against repression of the individual and free speech, a subject which everywhere, somewhere in the world, always has topical relevance, this year it would be Hong Kong's turn, I guess.
Then-novice documentary film-maker, Christopher Rodley, an admitted fan of the original series, decided to try to track down the usually reticent star in the hope of interviewing him about the show, something he'd only deigned to do once before, many years previously. Rodley surprises himself by getting McGoogan to agree to an interview, although it's very much on his terms and indeed as Rodley admits, at points McGoohan pretty much takes over and directs the exchange himself.
There are also supporting interviews with his obviously adoring daughter and archive footage discussing the show with some of his main collaborators. McGoohan seems generous at admitting that he got a lot of help to bring his vision to life and in no way promulgates himself as a self-obsessed auteur. Sure, he's prickly at times in front of the camera, but that's because he clearly doesn't want to explain too much about the show, rather leaving the viewer to exercise their own imaginations. I especially loved the intercutting of amateur on-set footage taken by a member of the public placed alongside the final aired scenes.
I didn't really need so much of Rodley's personal commentary and in the end McGoohan remains as enigmatic as ever. He's almost the no 2 to Rodley's no. 6, even using his old line "Be Seeing You" to sign-off.
An enjoyable documentary essential for fans of one the most ambitious if occasionally baffling shows ever.
Then-novice documentary film-maker, Christopher Rodley, an admitted fan of the original series, decided to try to track down the usually reticent star in the hope of interviewing him about the show, something he'd only deigned to do once before, many years previously. Rodley surprises himself by getting McGoogan to agree to an interview, although it's very much on his terms and indeed as Rodley admits, at points McGoohan pretty much takes over and directs the exchange himself.
There are also supporting interviews with his obviously adoring daughter and archive footage discussing the show with some of his main collaborators. McGoohan seems generous at admitting that he got a lot of help to bring his vision to life and in no way promulgates himself as a self-obsessed auteur. Sure, he's prickly at times in front of the camera, but that's because he clearly doesn't want to explain too much about the show, rather leaving the viewer to exercise their own imaginations. I especially loved the intercutting of amateur on-set footage taken by a member of the public placed alongside the final aired scenes.
I didn't really need so much of Rodley's personal commentary and in the end McGoohan remains as enigmatic as ever. He's almost the no 2 to Rodley's no. 6, even using his old line "Be Seeing You" to sign-off.
An enjoyable documentary essential for fans of one the most ambitious if occasionally baffling shows ever.
I have watched The Prisoner many times since it first aired on American TV in the late 60s. It aired often on PBS during the 1970s and 80s and I purchased the complete A&E DVD set over 10 years ago. Besides the show itself, there is a plethora of background information done that I have watched, such as a Canadian TV interview of McGoohan in the 1970s (also referenced in this special) and many other specials that aired on UK TV such as the show's music and filming locations (which are now posted on Youtube). With all of the familiarity I have about the show, this 2017 special still blew me away when I watched it! The whole process of the multiple interviews is the best part (along with reflections from McGoohan's daughter), complete with original show footage in HDTV that is much clearer than my older DVD set. Besides that, the less you know before viewing, the more entertaining it will be. McGoohan is an eccentric (which is part of his charm). 10 stars for all The Prisoner show fans! Be seeing you. Number 6