A tour of Prisoner locations in Portmeirion
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 มี.ค. 2007
- Inspired by Catherine Nemeth Frumerman's book, On The Trail Of The Prisoner, I recorded this guide to Portmeirion's Prisoner filming locations while staying in Portmeirion. Shot in 1966 and 1967, this classic series made good use of the quirky architecture of the unusual hotel as 'The Village'.
Thank you! My parents had a black and white TV when this show was on the air. I never knew that the town of Portmeirion had such lovely colours.
Paul,
Excellent tour! I too hope to make it to PortMeiron one day. Thank you for taking the time to show everybody how unchanged this remarkable town still is. Its as if time stands still there. Thanks again.
I'm originally from Ystradgynlais in South Wales and well remember "The Prisoner" series as a teenager. Now living in a similar, small village in North Florida, USA, in September 2017, I took my American wife to the picturesque Portmeirion in North Wales and we were both blown away by its beauty. Visiting "The Village," the setting of the psychological television drama had been on my "Bucket List," for some time and now I've been able to cross it off. We visited a week after "The Number 6 Society" festival was held at the iconic location, where there were more than 10,000 attendees and we had a great experience. If I have one criticism, with the popularity and historical significance of the place and with the voluminous numbers of visitors, both from the U.K. and tourists from abroad, the trust should invest in sprucing the place up as it could certainly do with a lick of paint. This didn't detract from our visit however, because it truly was inspiring and we had a splendid time.
Interesting that a series made in 1966 and only I think 17 episodes is so fondly remembered by so many people.
You certaunly know your prisoner stuff Paul. Thanks for sharing the video, it's a long time since I was there.
Regards Wayne
Wonderful! ALways enjoy seeing behind the scenes.
I will be in the UK this month. While I can't make it to Portmeirion I am going to #1 Buckingham Place in London. True Prisoner afficianados will know why...
Paul, thank you so much for this video. I've been a huge Prisoner fan, since it originally aired here in the States. Someday, I'd like to make the trip there to see the Village. Your video was GREAT! It really took me back to that time. Be seeing you!
imaniguana You won't be disappointed when you eventually go..... Don't put it off. I recently stayed in Priors Lodging and was delighted when Paul said it was featured in one of the episodes.
I'd visited several times years ago but never stayed until January 2018. Omg..... The place took my breath away, especially at night when all the day visitors leave.
That's when the magic begins, the clock tower chiming, the village lit up beautifully and you're overwhelmed by it all.
Booking.com have some amazing deals and the staff will treat you like royalty when you arrive. By far, the most delightful place I've ever stayed.
Just come back really great place to visit.
They have a little train (free ) that takes you up and around which is worth going on as they let you off at the top and you can take some really nice photos looking down at the village.
It is well worth visiting.
Superb work! A great guide. Makes me feel 'homesick' for the old place too.
Paul, you're a riot. And you *know* your Prisoner, thankyouverymuch! I loved this video. It's been a dream of mine and my husband's to make it to Portmeirion, but this will certainly tide us over until we get there. Really enjoyed it.
thoroughly enjoyable. The only suggestion I would make (copy-write allowable)is to have snapshots of the locations interspersed with the tour.
Thank You for Posting Sir !
Splendid, Paul. You're a highly knowledgeable guide.
I have been there too with my family. A fascinating place and very compact. We only visited for the day but I've got to get back there and spend a few days.
Be seeing you!
I work at portmeirion stoke,im a prisoner ,number 680,
LOL! Good one.
Look! It's my home from home! Thanks for sharing! This is very cool...and things have not changed much!
Thank you for your reply. Naturally I checked your 'information'. I can't believe after 30 years of research and being member of Six Of One before 'resigning' that I was unaware of that piece of trivia. Perhaps I once was and simply forgot. What ever the case - shame on me!
There is a bit of #6 in all of us. That was why it fascinated us so much.
Thank you for the video ..Was a wonderful TV show and that Lotus Seven driven by Patrick McGoohan..
Brilliant. I've just come back from Portmeiron on Friday (6th August 2010) and would love to have had this video on an iPod to carry round with me.
For those asking about accommodation in the area, two of us stayed in a double room in Porthmadog, less than an hours walk or 15 mins by car from Portmeirion, for £67 for the night with breakfast.
£8 each to walk around the village but, apart from the Prisoner shop, very little acknowledgement of the TV series which seems to be out of fashion.
Thanks I always love when people go to places filmed in movies. I saw one where some fans go to the cemetery at the start of Night of the Living Dead, and comment on everything that changed since filming.
What a nice relaxing video you have made...
Loved your video, especially when you featured Priors Lodging. I stayed there recently and was delighted to hear it had been featured in one of the episodes. Thank you 😁😁
Wonderful!
thanks very much paul!
it is very interesting...
nice job Paul! an exciting tour for any fan of N6 /-] thanks!
This is cool! It was real nice of you to go to the trouble of filming ang setting all this up.
Through the1980s I visited the place many times ... the last time was August 1998.
Thank you !
@cameriqueTV Because it's costal it doesn't get heavy frosts. I've been to Plockton in Scotland where palms also grow - have a look on Google image search. Portmeirion is semi-sheltered but gets its fair share of snow, rain and wind. Just not enough to kill the exotic plants off.
Really delighted you enjoyed it. The real place is very special though, so I hope you are able to visit.
Be seeing you :)
If i awoke in the village, i'd Play The Game and STAY THERE !
That one came with the first issue of one of those 'partworks' of magazines, a couple of years ago. Have a look on ebay for 'Prisoner Map' and you'll probably find one :)
we just got back and stayed the night at bridgehouse, had tea at the hotel and watched Prisoner episodes on the telly
Be Seeing you
Great vid Paul !
Looks like Many Happy Returns. When are you going to build a raft? I went here as a small child. I remember being bought a badge with a bike on it. I watched my first episode of The Prisoner last week. I came to it through the radio version.
You can stay in The Village, but that's not cheap, or there are several Bed&Breakfasts within walking distance for around £30 per night.
Thanks very much. It's an easy mistake; I blame a book of maps being called an Atlas, especially ones with a picture of Atlas holding a globe on the cover. :)
Gee a great tour Paul! Wonder why they do not celebrate the Prisoner theme more actively!?!
The only way I can remain sane is by pretending Many Happy Returns was the final episode of the series - I think it is the only way the saga could have ended, imprisoned in perpetuity.
cool!
Great video!! It looks like it gets cold there. Is this place basically open only in summer?
I ditto Imaniguana's statement. It looks like there is some variety of palm plant surviving there, does that location ever get winter weather?
@CaptainPugwash1000 Yes, the whole village is a complex of cottages to rent. Have a look at portmeirion-village com for info. Glad you enjoyed the video - Seems like a long time ago when I made it; I'm half that size now! :)
Cool... you have the map used in episode #1
Is this available currently for purchase?
Im going to portmerrion next week cant wait for it. Can you buy a map of the locations in portmerrion. Also where exactly in portmerrion IS the village.
Be seeing you!
Hercules - Check your mythology; Atlas held the sky up, not the Earth. It's also marked as Hercules on maps of Portmeirion and stands outside Hercules Hall; the Town Hall.
Thanksthat was interesting
Be seeing you...
I drove for a taxi company and my number there was number 6 but I have now escaped that company and I am now a free man.
I never got to see the ending of this TV series. The lasy few programs.
John Gould the episodes are all on You tube now in 2019 !
I missed the final episode. Did the Prisoner escape?
Nope, open all year round. I was shooting this in February/March, so it wasn't exactly warm :)
Yup, my idiotic drunken mistake! What makes me feel properly stupid is the fact that I knew that and even corrected my Mum on it some years ago, then forgot.
Awesome vid anyway.
And now, news. Four members of the community have been determined to be unmutual by the committee. Treatment in Hospital is directed. This is a warning! Possible showers this evening, but clear tomorrow, Life is for living!
No coincidence Steve. Patsy Smart was the sister of Ralph Smart.
It would have been more interesting to insert clips of the TV series prisoner while visiting features of the village. I can only assume you did not do this because you would of encountered copy problems.
Possible copyright infringement. Time, effort, inclination, technology available when this was shot... But you assume whatever you like :)
No offence was intended i was just giving an opinion because you seem to be very enthusiastic while you was walking around the locations of the village it was your only sheer enthusiasm which really brought that amazing TV series back in my mind thanks for uploading.
Atlas.
Which dwelling is Mz Maxwell in? She has Information.
wheres Beas cell?
Paul I am disappointed that you aren't wearing a blazer and boater.
Be seeing you.
Hercules, or Atlas? Or Sysiphus?
100% Hercules. The hall is named after him. Atlas holds up the sky...
Most modern depictions have Atlas holding the Earth
Now here the word of the lord.....
The first words spoken in The Prisoner are actually, "We'll be open in a minute." Ironically the actress who spoke the line was Patsy Smart who shared the same surname as John Drake's creator. Coincidence?
You might have wanted to mention the appearance of Sir Clough approaching Hercule's statue in 'Arrival'. Looking forward to seeing Magic Number Six on the 24th. BCNU?
Was he allowed to leave Portmeirion? :)
Seriously, a big question the shows never addresses (no pun intended) was where did everybody live? The Village needed a huge block apartment building like you found in Communist countries.
If you were ever a member of Six Of One, you may remember my awful Jailbird strips! I resigned from the society 20 years ago and have followed McGoohan and the series for 30 years. I'm known as 'Number Six' on GoComics.com and spend most of my time on the comments of Andy Capp.
The Prisoner undoubtably influenced my life and although I've visited Portmeirion a dozen times, I haven't been back in 20 years. There are enough clues to I.D. No6 as Drake and possibly David Jones - check out initials.
noisy, windy, speech not very understandable
Great video. Just let down by the fact of really bad audio / microphone 🎤