The Prisoner: The Original Scripts Volume 1 [Hardcover]

Robert Fairclough (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2005

Regarded by many as the finest television drama ever produced, The Prisoner has intrigued viewers since it was originally aired in the late 1960s. Only 17 episodes were ever made, each of them riddled with symbolism and unanswerable questions. In this second book in his two-volume series, Prisoner expert Robert Fairclough has collected and annotated the original shooting scripts for the series, which include a number of variations on the episodes as broadcast. The Prisoner: The Original Scripts Volume One, which includes the first eight episodes as well as the script for the unproduced episode "The Outsider," will bring a new dimension to the understanding and appreciation of this enigmatic television series.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Regarded by many as the finest television drama ever produced, The Prisoner has puzzled and intrigued viewers since it was originally aired in the late 1960s. Only 17 episodes were ever made, each of them riddled with symbolism and unanswerable questions. Now, for the first time, Prisoner expert Robert Fairclough has collected and annotated the original shooting scripts for the series, which include a number of intriguing variations on the episodes as broadcast. The Prisoner: The Original Scripts, Volume One, which includes the first eight episodes as well as the script for the unproduced episode “The Outsider,” will bring a new dimension to the understanding and appreciation of this enigmatic television series.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 487 pages
• Publisher: Reynolds & Hearn; annotated edition edition (May 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903111765
• ISBN-13: 978-1903111765
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,837,934 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Prisoner Scripts 1 Review, October 13, 2005

By 

R. Davy - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Prisoner: The Original Scripts Volume 1 (Hardcover)

The book begins with a heartfelt foreward by the late Lewis Griefer (writer of "The General" under the psudonym of Joshua Adam), an introduction by the author, and then a reproduction of the original ITC "Prisoner" writers guide created for the series' writers by Story Editor George Markstein which is a most interesting read! Then follow the original shooting scripts for the first 8 episodes of the series.

Each is reproduced in full, along with cast lists, transmission dates, writers details, original TV Times "trailers", and music cues. The highlight of the reproductions, other than being able to witness the superb scriptwriting, are the endless footnotes supplied by the author. Every single subtle change from the original script to the finished programme are highlighted in these extensive notes, as are interesting snippets of information concerning the filming locations, shooting schedule, performers, crew, and much more. The amount of information Rob has managed to include is not far from astounding, and the mind boggles as to how many times he must have watched the episodes to include every otherwise unnoticeable word change. The above-mentioned footnotes are fascinating, and make this book the ultimate tome of "Prisoner" information.

Also included is "The Outsider", an unused script written by Morris Farhi (rejected by McGoohan), and two storyline ideas submitted by series Music Editor Eric Mival, as well as a biography of George Markstein. It could be argued that the scripts and footnotes would be enough to justify a positive review, but these rare "bonus items" are the icing on the cake and also make for fascinating reading.

Those familiar with the scenes of "The Prisoner" could be forgiven for thinking that reading such a book might be a dull experience, as they already have the episodes on DVD, but they couldn't be more wrong. Whilst much of the scripts remained unaltered for the finished product, there is much that is different. Small/subtle changes in some cases, large changes in others, each and every one is included. Two such interesting things include the inclusion of the "original" Rover device, complete with flashing blue light, and mentions of Number Two's residence as the "Georgian Cottage", rather than the more familiar "Green Dome".

To list all the interesting script changes here would be an impossible task, so I will close by advising that you go out and buy this book and see them all for yourself. At £19.99 (hardback) it is by no means cheap, but is well worth the price for the scripts alone, let alone all the "bonus items" and countless footnotes.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm born all over again!, November 9, 2005

By 

X.O.4 - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prisoner: The Original Scripts Volume 1 (Hardcover)

This really sheds new light onto the series, with deleted lines, scenes, and information not found elsewhere. If you really want insight into things, read the scripts, assuming that you can handle script format...

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evolution of a Masterpiece, September 10, 2005

By 

landru141 (Planet Houston) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Prisoner: The Original Scripts Volume 1 (Hardcover)

To say that Robert Fairclough's book is a revelation is perhaps an understatement. Sure, its just the scripts. But, the evolution between concept to realization is what this book is really about. Whether or not you agree with McGoohan's decision to take an essentially simple idea (the spy-prison) and turn it into his own subconsious metaphor, if you are a fan of this brilliant show this book is the only one I know that will give you any kind of window into this process.

Can't wait for the second volume.