The Prisoner 8mm film of the shoot.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ต.ค. 2024
- The Prisoner. I happened to visit Portmeirion on 9th September 1966 when the filming started for "Arrival", the first episode of the Prisoner starring Patrick McGoohan. Little did I know as I took some 8mm footage with my Bell & Howell Sundial camera that it would still be popular over 50 years later. Rick Davey had the footage restored and it can now be seen, intercut with the finished programme on the extra features on the 50th-anniversary blue-ray boxed set. In 1966, 8mm film was very expensive for a teenager or I would have shot much more. Can you imagine the home phone footage that would be shot today? I'm very happy to share this with you. I go back to stay in the Village regularly and was there on the 9th September 2016 to pay homage to a series that was responsible for me taking a career path into television via the BBC. Thank you "The Prisoner"
It was the best show ever,so original and totally ground breaking.
Possibly one of the greatest programmes EVER to come out of the UK.
Todays world.. Patrick warned us
Look at how tense & driven McGoohan is, every moment.
He's the same in the Braveheart DVD interviews...totally in character
A man dedicated to his craft and the show
Even in these brief clips you get a sense of his “presence”.
This series shaped and framed my entire world back in 68 when I was just 10 years old . It has been my guiding light and my moral compass ever since and this week I went back to Portmerion which has embraced the Prisoner more than ever before . I got very emotional and shed a tear for McGoohan and how impressed I was with the incredible setting and the way in which everything is magnificently maintained .
I agree with you…as I’m a 1958 child too 😄😊👍👍😉
Npc comment section
Same here it Shaped mine in an odd way,,as McGoohan said , we are all Prisoners…😮
Same here, plus my draft number was 6. Only negative is how few movies or series come close to it.
I haven’t visited Port since 1990 , it was awesome then, I remember watching Prisoner episodes in one of the rooms, such a great few days, I’m glad to hear it’s still running well.
this is tremendous, absolute gold.....I had no idea they filmed the series with hoards of visitors to Portmerion looking on from the sidelines!!! McGoohan was such an intense actor, and this is the best TV show from that era, it still stands up today. Thanks for sharing this.
I absolutely love this. This 8mm footage is GOLD! I'm amazed at watching Patrick perform while being watched by crowds of people. Thank you for filming it, preserving it and sharing it.
The British can behave. Plus, it was THEIR vacation (holiday) so they had a right to be there.
You're right this is absolute G-O-L-D.
Thank you for these well-filmed images and this montage that takes us on a journey through time. What's more, it's re-shot at the right speed (18 to 25 frames per second, I suppose), which is something that not all video technicians do, even though it's quite easy these days with editing software. thank you In the series, in the French version (everyone in France has seen it like this) we say "Bonjour chez vous!"
Aaah! 😊👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏Totally classic…McGoohan….his best legendary work! 👍👍
Thanks so much this is amazing watching Patrick McGoohan work 😅
Great footage! I just assumed the TV company closed the facility whilst they were filming. What a gem!
Oliver MacGreevy at 3:46. The gardener.
“Careful Sir, they’re new plants”.
I was just 9-10 years old when I watched The Prisoner on ITV. It made a huge impression on me then: it excited and terrified me. I'm now 66, and I've just binge-rewatched all 17 episodes over the weekend. It still makes a huge impression on me! Indeed, the impression is far more profound than it was back then, because -- like all of us -- I have become fully and painfully aware of how much the individual in society has become subjected to surveillance, control and manipulation, often for sinister purposes.
The Prisoner was/is an utterly unique, groundbreaking and astounding art work that challenges one's perceptions in many different ways and on numerous levels. It has a nightmarish quality and intensity that defies rational explanation and triggers the deepest emotions.
In my case, it set in motion a process that culminated in my becoming extremely distrustful of so-called 'authorities' and, indeed, society and humanity in general. It was the height of The Cold War, and The Prisoner resonated with one's deepest existential fears.
I think it is fair to say that The Prisoner was -- and still is -- the most compelling, gripping and important drama ever broadcast. McGoohan was a very deep thinker, a visionary of great prescience, and a tremendous actor of rivetting intensity and stirring presence. As Number 6, he moves like a panther. It is easy to relate to his epic struggle to maintain his high values, free spirit, autonomy, independence and individuality against the odds, under tremendous and incessant pressure from visible and hidden enemies who wish to break him, to crush his very soul. As Number 6, he inspires us to uphold and fight for the purity and greatness in ourselves!
For me too. It has made me question and think of things in society, politics, religion and personal life. Ya man was a visionary genius. A true innovator.
Thank you very much indeed for uploading that.
Now I just need a time machine to take me back to 1966.
Funny you should say. A friend of mine in California and me always talk about '66 and time machines. It was a bumper year for great music, film and TV.
If you get that time machine, let us know where to jump on.
Some fabulous footage thanks.
Deeply concerning that the warning of a fairly distopian society is quite possible now, all the surveillance cameras we have, the ideas of 25 minute cities .
Brilliant! Excellent restoration. I wore my "I will not be......" shirt the last time I resigned. Quite a few people understood.
Only just discovered this mini-masterpiece. A little dubious at first I was completely hooked at first sight of the motorised mower. It's quirky, imaginative, respectful of the series and, above all, a tribute to one of the greatest actors ever. I love to bits.😊
As a child, it served as my first training. Not dreaming I would become a spook for a short time. The village is/was real. The series was a warning. Patrick McGoohan was a driven genius. Wish I could have met him.
Simply "Awesome!" Dude.
This IS the new No. 1 TH-cam video! Thank you
Patrick Mcgoohan nearly had a breakdown. Trying to write, direct,act and making sure everything was detailed.
In anticipation of a holiday in Portmeirion, I re-watched the 50th anniversary edition and it's great to see your original footage here. I'm surprised by the proximity of the public and well done Patrick and everyone for just carrying on as if the people weren't there.
Yes it was different to film sets today. The village was kept open to paying customers of course. Keith
Amazing show . Loved it so much .
Wow, what a fantastic revelation of filming one of the 20th Centuries genuine masterpieces. Look at the brilliant designs, shades on the Penny farthings, mobile floats - enigmatic to the last, it emulates Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm in its ingenuity.
Oh man this is just such a treat to see! The Prisoner is one of the best shows to EVER hit the TV screen. I can only imagine how exciting this was to watch and I'm quite envious. Thank you so much for sharing!
I was 15 when it came out. I used to tape episodes on a Philips reel to reel tape recorder. I Spotify look forward to the episodes so much. Like others have said, this program definitely altered my perception of society and made me more mindful of governments. The Prisoner spurred me to read 1984 and Brave New World. I became more cynical but , as a result, I felt Sumerian empowered. I think that's what Patrick McGoohan wanted. He was 38 in this 8mm film. When I think that I now have children older than he was at that time, it's scary.
Fabulous just returned from the Convention it was really moving
Wow great to see even more previously unseen video emerging after all this time - thank you for posting this.
Remember the first screening. Great footage!
Thank you ❤
What an incredible find, after all these years ! Remarkably good quality too after so long. Thank you !!!
No.6 hated the surveillance in the Village, but it was a blessing you had your camera to film this piece of history in the making. You can watch it multiple times and see different aspects of the cast and crew at work....The taxi-driver's false start, director Don Chaffey talking to Pat, the bald gardener who doubles for the electrician, etc.. A nice touch with the black and white TV scenes too. Some of us first saw the series in this format. Mono sound, small screen, black and white, 425 lines, and advert interuptions!
Excellent footage of a historic show that still provokes comment and debate even today 55 yrs after it was made thank you for filming this and now sharing it with us Auckland New Zealand 2023
Fantastic, thanks for sharing. So many people watching him perform. And he didn't seem fazed at all.
Keith, I have only just discovered this but I am enthralled. Superb find. The internet was created for moments like this.
Thanks for sharing.
Amazing footage, thanks for showing this.
I first saw this show in 1986 , on its 2st or 3nd run since it was made in the late 60s. It is still one of my fav shows ever .I went to Portmerion twice and its a gr8 place.
Thanks, what a treat. Plus faces to go with credits I've watched since the original US airing. Much appreciated.
Thank you. A real treat !
Wow. What an absolute treat. Thanks.
Just finished watching The Prisoner blu-ray set. Originally watched it on DVD. Fantastic quality the way they've restored the original film for HD. If you haven't already folks, check it out. Thanks Keith for your 8mm film. Great to see it intercut with the actual film in the doc. Great stuff!!
Be seeing you!
Just great! You were in right place at right time with just the right gadget in your hand.
But surely that is too much of a coincidence - you must have been sent there by Numbet One.
Thanks for sharing...what a great find
Interesting variation on the theme music
I undoubtedly have the br set. This is great quality Keith, and I assume it is completely different footage to that which surfaced on a PC disc (or whatever they called them) some years ago from 'Six of One' fan club? That was extremely poor quality and I still have it.
There aren't many series that you can watch over and over and still enjoy. The Prisoner stands the test of time and, although pedantic, McGoohan should be worshipped forever for this masterful series.🤩
On sent le perfectionnisme dans le travail de cet acteur .
What a Gem!
Keith - Absolutely brilliant - needless to say, one-of-a-kind stuff.
six-of-one, half-a-dozen-of-another-kind stuff.
A really amazing and rare piece of film. Interesting to see the crowds and crew surrounding him and his ability as an actor to make it like he is alone in the world. I wonder who the girl in black sweater was - script girl, girlfriend etc. Also, interesting to see the extras like the taxi driver and the utility service guy, faces that I have long remembered and associated solely with the Prisoner. Nice to see them working and from another perspective. Really amazing stuff. If you ever check back, love to hear about your memories of that day. Cheers.
Lovely to see your comments. I was indeed very lucky to happen to visit the village on that day in September 66. If you mean the girl with red hair. She is Ronnie, the daughter of the family I was on holiday near Harlech with. She's still a good friend and lives in Shropshire.
I think she was continuity.
No she is a friend of mine.
Absolutely fascinating footage!
Well done! "Be seeing you !!"
Keith, this brings me so much joy - that I've probably already commented to this effect!
Sad i didnt saw this footage on my bluray The prisoner collection
Wow thanks for showing this its amazing behind the scenes
Was great to meet you last week. A Portmeirion/Prisoner legend. 😃
You too!
Fabulous!!!
Just been back to Portmeirion & as a result have been looking at some great ‘Prisoner’ You Tube videos including this one. No Prisoner jackets available in the shop as Covid resulted in an order not being placed in time. I am sure they will be back!
Please does anyone know the name of the bald actor who played the maintenance man?
Great upload! Thx for posting
Wow! McGoohan's concentration must have been phenomenal. I think all the experience he had in stage plays and live action television must have helped. He would have made a great silent film actor. I think that is why Many Happy Returns is one of my favorite episodes. I also enjoyed The Hard Way a film with not much dialogue. Its on TH-cam. Another one where he's told he can't resign.
Excellent footage , your so lucky . But how could you possibly know you were seeing the best tv show ever being made ? The Prisoner shows what is happening right now for real , have had postcards done as per pictures on my channel , Be seeing you...............
EXCELLENT ! THANK YOU !!!
Totally Awesome - Thank you!
Wonderful!
Excellent footage, very complex and far seeing guy was PMG.
Thanks for the upload.
Brilliant!
Superb !!
A must watch when I was 14-15 years old all those years ago, brilliant find, I recon this series could be copied down to the last detail except for the people and I reckon the fans would be ok with it.
Nice restoration! 8mm is pretty rough.
I was very impressed by the quality of 8mm after restoration. Almost matches the 35mm!!!!!!!!
What version of the music is this? It's different from the broadcast but I really like it.
Great footage! Thanks. Can you tell us where that version of the music comes from? It seems like a modern recording.
Ah here it is: th-cam.com/video/I_NKv_g9lCs/w-d-xo.html
excellent
Fantastic footage. Were you allowed to film openly or did you have to be discreet?
Very openly with a noisy 8mm camera. No restrictions as we were paying tourists to the Village.
Not only was I not challenged for filming but my clockwork camera was pretty noisy and they didnt worry as it was all post sunk afterwards. As someone who went on to become a BBC sound recordist, I would have found me infuriating!¡!
@@krodgerson As a ex-film sound recordist myself then I can appreciate the issues of background noise!
I'm amazed the village was open to tourists during shooting. Was this the case throughout the series?
The shooting sessions in Port Meiron were a vertly short part of the overall shoot, most of which was in Borehamwood studios. I think about 7 days in total. Correct me if Im wring Rich
Very very cool! :)
You got this from the secret archives ,DIDN'T YOU! We want information. You better be careful about releasing this, or you'll end up like the prisoner. Nice one.
"Who are you??"
Very Cool! Thanks! Did you run the flim through a computer?
It was restored on a telecine (wet gate) machine and digitised. I think that they did a fabulous job. Keith
The film was sent to a company in Newcastle who put it through a wet gate telecine machine. Very pleased with the result.
Amazing behind the s enes footage here top quality, you dont realize how many people are out of camera shot very nice to see.
Frabjous.! 'Be seeing you'.
Qui sont les gardiens, qui sont les prisonniers.......!
"Will you film unit people stop slamming shut our doors every time!, look we'll have one us behind the door out of shot to close it, then you can over-dub an electric motor sound afterwards"
❤👏👏👏🚴
Good one, who filmed it, and it's survived...not seen it before..
I did. Young 17year old who then worked in TV for 50 years. Thanks to the Prisoner.
A@@krodgerson
Congrats on your success! @@krodgerson
Brilliant!