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The Prisoner: The Chimes of Big Ben
Number Six discovers he has a new neighbour, Nadia, who soon becomes known as Number Eight. She is an Estonian secret agent who, like Number Six, is a prisoner in the Village because she resigned her job. Number Six befriends her and soon discovers that she knows the location of the Village: Lithuania. To increase both their chances, they decide to attempt to escape their prison together. To keep their plans a secret from Number Two, Number Six enters he Village arts and crafts exhibition competition. His entry entitled "Escape" is the inspiration for their plan to get back to London.
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Episode Info
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Episode number: 1x2 Airdate: Sunday October 08th, 1967 Alternate Airdates:
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USA
Uncredited
Recap
It's a cheery day at the Village and everyone rises and shines. Number Six attempts to ignore the speaker broadcasts as they declare an art exhibition in six weeks. He goes about his morning affairs as Number Two watches, and finally places the speaker in the refrigerator. As Number Six goes to play chess with the General and taunts the man, Number Two monitors the arrival of a helicopter at the Village. He then sits down with Number Six and they watch as the helicopter arrives and a woman is removed on a stretcher. They adjourn to the Green Dome for breakfast and verbal sparring. Number Six is unimpressed and Number Two tunes in the cameras in the woman's flat. She's the new Number Eight and she discovers she's in an exact replica of her home. Number Two calls and welcomes her, and invites her to lunch. He then offers Number Six a deal: release in return for the reason he resigned. Number Six refuses, and Number Two suggests he make an attempt to settle down and take part in the art exhibition. Number Six leaves without comment...Read the full recap
Episode Notes
Leo McKern is one of only two actors to play Number Two more than once. He reprised his role in "Once Upon A Time" and "Fall Out". The other is Colin Gordon.
Leo McKern is one of only four Number Twos to have their voices added to the interrogation scene in the opening credits. The "standard" voice of Number Two was provided by Robert Rietty. The others are Colin Gordon, Mary Morris and Peter Wyngarde.
This is the only episode in which Number Six wears his blue piped anorak.
This is the only episode in which someone, in this case, Nadia (Nadia Gray) asks Number Six (Patrick McGoohan) his name and he tells them it is Number Six.
This was the fifth episode of the series filmed, directly before Leo McKern's second appearance, "Once Upon A Time".
The Exhibition Hall is a redress of the Number Two's office set.
The Rover/Guardian Sphere generates two smaller spheres to tow Nadia back to shore.
Episode Quotes
(Number Six's interrogation over the opening credits)
Number Six: Where am I?
Number Two: In the Village.
Number Six: What do you want?
Number Two: We want information.
Number Six: Whose side are you on?
Number Two: That would be telling. We want information...information...information.
Number Six: You won't get it.
Number Two: By hook or by crook, we will.
Number Six: Who are you?
Number Two: The new Number Two.
Number Six: Who is Number 1?
Number Two: You are Number Six.
Number Six: I am not a number, I am a free man!
Number Six: Where am I?
Number Two: In the Village.
Number Six: What do you want?
Number Two: We want information.
Number Six: Whose side are you on?
Number Two: That would be telling. We want information...information...information.
Number Six: You won't get it.
Number Two: By hook or by crook, we will.
Number Six: Who are you?
Number Two: The new Number Two.
Number Six: Who is Number 1?
Number Two: You are Number Six.
Number Six: I am not a number, I am a free man!
Number Two: (about Number Six) He can make even the act of putting on his dressing gown appear as a gesture of defiance.
Number Two's Assistant: There are methods we haven't used yet, of course.
Number Two: I want him with a whole heart, body and soul.
Number Two's Assistant: He'll crack.
Number Two: Perhaps--one tiny piece at a time. I don't want a man of fragments. Fascinating.
Number Two's Assistant: He doesn't even bend a little.
Number Two: That's why he'll break. He only needs one small thing. If he will answer one simple question, the rest will follow: why did he resign?
Number Two's Assistant: There are methods we haven't used yet, of course.
Number Two: I want him with a whole heart, body and soul.
Number Two's Assistant: He'll crack.
Number Two: Perhaps--one tiny piece at a time. I don't want a man of fragments. Fascinating.
Number Two's Assistant: He doesn't even bend a little.
Number Two: That's why he'll break. He only needs one small thing. If he will answer one simple question, the rest will follow: why did he resign?
General: You're a fool, Number Six. That's my opinion.
Number Six: Really?
General: You'll be here for as long as you live.
Number Six: However long that is.
General: Might as well try to settle down. No point in being uncooperative.
Number Six: Was there ever a time when you were not cooperative?
General: No point in fighting battles you can't win.
Number Six: Perhaps you came here of your own free will?
General: Oh, impudent, too, huh? Wish I'd had you in my regiment for a few months.
Number Six: Which regiment was that? Which army?
Number Six: Really?
General: You'll be here for as long as you live.
Number Six: However long that is.
General: Might as well try to settle down. No point in being uncooperative.
Number Six: Was there ever a time when you were not cooperative?
General: No point in fighting battles you can't win.
Number Six: Perhaps you came here of your own free will?
General: Oh, impudent, too, huh? Wish I'd had you in my regiment for a few months.
Number Six: Which regiment was that? Which army?
Number Two: The General seems a little sour.
Number Six: Mate in seven moves.
Number Two: Oh. How many do you know?
Number Six: A few more.
Number Two: We must play sometime.
Number Six: Certainly we must. By post.
Number Two: I must add "sense of humour" to your file. They tend to leave out things like that. Very important.
Number Six: Mate in seven moves.
Number Two: Oh. How many do you know?
Number Six: A few more.
Number Two: We must play sometime.
Number Six: Certainly we must. By post.
Number Two: I must add "sense of humour" to your file. They tend to leave out things like that. Very important.
Number Six: What crime did she commit?
Number Two: Nervous tension--that's all. She's come here to recuperate.
Number Six: How much are you charging?
Number Two: I really must bring your files up to date.
Number Two: Nervous tension--that's all. She's come here to recuperate.
Number Six: How much are you charging?
Number Two: I really must bring your files up to date.
Number Two: I can never remember. One lump or two?
Number Six: It's in the file.
Number Two: Yes, as a matter of fact, yes. But it would save time if you just answered.
Number Six: Why? Running out of time?
Number Two: "Does not take sugar." Frightened of putting on weight?
Number Six: No. Nor of being reduced.
Number Two: Oh, that's excellent. I am glad you are here. You really are a model.
Number Six: But I don't run on clockwork.
Number Two: You will, my dear chap. You will.
Number Six: It's in the file.
Number Two: Yes, as a matter of fact, yes. But it would save time if you just answered.
Number Six: Why? Running out of time?
Number Two: "Does not take sugar." Frightened of putting on weight?
Number Six: No. Nor of being reduced.
Number Two: Oh, that's excellent. I am glad you are here. You really are a model.
Number Six: But I don't run on clockwork.
Number Two: You will, my dear chap. You will.
Number Two: Do you still think you can escape, Number Six.
Number Six: I'm going to do better than that.
Number Two: Oh?
Number Six: Going to escape, come back.
Number Two: Come back?
Number Six: Escape, come back, wipe this place off the face of the Earth, obliterate it and you with it.
Number Six: I'm going to do better than that.
Number Two: Oh?
Number Six: Going to escape, come back.
Number Two: Come back?
Number Six: Escape, come back, wipe this place off the face of the Earth, obliterate it and you with it.
Number Two: Don't worry, Number Six. You'll be cured. I'll see to it. No more nightmares. If you have so much as a bad dream, you will come whimpering to tell it to me. Whimpering.
Number Two: "At the age of 15, top of his class in woodwork." That's the sort of thing I mean. Join in!
Number Six: (rapping on the sealed metal door) I'll make you a handle for this door.
Number Two: You'll be back! Whimpering...
Number Six: (rapping on the sealed metal door) I'll make you a handle for this door.
Number Two: You'll be back! Whimpering...
Number Eight: Can you get a car here?
Number Six: Taxis--local service only.
Number Eight: Where will they take you?
Number Six: Anywhere you like as long as you arrive back here in the end. That's why they're called "local."
Number Six: Taxis--local service only.
Number Eight: Where will they take you?
Number Six: Anywhere you like as long as you arrive back here in the end. That's why they're called "local."
Number Six: Has it ever occurred to you that you are just as much a prisoner as I am?
Number Two: Oh my dear chap, of course--I know too much. We're both lifers. I am definitely an optimist. That's why it doesn't matter ''who'' Number One is. It doesn't matter which "side" runs the Village.
Number Six: It's run by one side or the other.
Number Two: Oh certainly, but both sides are becoming identical. What in fact has been created is an international community — perfect blueprint for world order. When the sides facing each other suddenly realize that they're looking into a mirror, they will see that ''this'' is the pattern for the future.
Number Six: The whole Earth as the Village?
Number Two: That is my hope. What's yours?
Number Six: I'd like to be the first man on the moon.
Number Two: Oh my dear chap, of course--I know too much. We're both lifers. I am definitely an optimist. That's why it doesn't matter ''who'' Number One is. It doesn't matter which "side" runs the Village.
Number Six: It's run by one side or the other.
Number Two: Oh certainly, but both sides are becoming identical. What in fact has been created is an international community — perfect blueprint for world order. When the sides facing each other suddenly realize that they're looking into a mirror, they will see that ''this'' is the pattern for the future.
Number Six: The whole Earth as the Village?
Number Two: That is my hope. What's yours?
Number Six: I'd like to be the first man on the moon.
Number Six: Yes, abstract art is basically primitive. I've-I've made my own tools.
Number Two: Tip top! Doing as the caveman did, eh Number Six?
Number Six: I may even invent fire.
Number Two: Tip top! Doing as the caveman did, eh Number Six?
Number Six: I may even invent fire.
Second Judge: We're not quite sure what it means.
Number Six: It means what it is.
Number Six: It means what it is.
Colonel J: The return of the prodigal son.
Number Six: I don't see any fatted calf.
Colonel J: Did you expect one?
Number Six: No.
Number Six: I don't see any fatted calf.
Colonel J: Did you expect one?
Number Six: No.
Number Six: Are you sure you haven't got a Village here?
Colonel J: Where is this Village?
Number Six: Lithuania. On the Baltic, 30 miles from the Polish border.
Colonel J: How did you find out?
Number Six: Nadia told me.
Colonel J: How did she know?
Number Six: She used to work for their government. She came across a secret file.
Colonel J: On how to catch a spy in six lessons?
Number Six: I risked my life and hers to come back here, home, because I thought it was different. It is, isn't it... different?!?
Colonel J: Where is this Village?
Number Six: Lithuania. On the Baltic, 30 miles from the Polish border.
Colonel J: How did you find out?
Number Six: Nadia told me.
Colonel J: How did she know?
Number Six: She used to work for their government. She came across a secret file.
Colonel J: On how to catch a spy in six lessons?
Number Six: I risked my life and hers to come back here, home, because I thought it was different. It is, isn't it... different?!?
Number Six: Would you like to explain to me how a man in Poland came to have a watch showing English time when there's one hour's difference?!?
Colonel J: Maybe he was slow.
Number Six: I'll bet he was.
Colonel J: Maybe he was slow.
Number Six: I'll bet he was.
Loudspeaker Announcer: Good evening, citizens. Your local council wishes to announce another exciting competition. The subject this time: sea scapes.
Episode Goofs
The door knocker of Number Two's house changes between Number Six's first visit and when he returns several minutes later with Nadia.
Analysis
Escape and Torture
The episode toys with the audiences' expectations. We are lead to believe that Number Six has mounted a successful escape (despite the fact his boat-sculpture looks like... a boat). It's not until the end that he (and the audience) learn that The reversal is particularly stunning as the audience isn't given a clue as to what the true intent is.
The episode toys with the audiences' expectations. We are lead to believe that Number Six has mounted a successful escape (despite the fact his boat-sculpture looks like... a boat). It's not until the end that he (and the audience) learn that The reversal is particularly stunning as the audience isn't given a clue as to what the true intent is.
Other Episode Crew
| • Creator | George Markstein | Patrick McGoohan |
| • Executive Producer | Patrick McGoohan |
| • Producer | David Tomblin |
| • Editor | Spencer Reeve |
| • Casting | Rose Tobias Shaw |
| • First Assistant Director | Gino Marotta |
| • Music | Ron Grainer |
| • Music Editor | Robert C. Dearberg |
| • Costume Designer | Masada Wilmot |
| • Make-up | Eddie Knight (1) |
| • Camera Operator | Jack Lowin | Robert Monks |
| • Set Decorator | Kenneth Bridgeman |
| • Other | Doris Martin (2) (Continuity) |
| • Director of Photography | Brendan J. Stafford |
| • Story Editor | George Markstein |
| • Art Director | Jack Shampan |
| • Production Manager | Bernard Williams |
| • Sound Editor | Wilfred Thompson | John Bramall |
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