Ron Grainer - The Prisoner - Main Titles Full Version

[@VillainRetro]

Arguably the best theme song ever made.

[@historybuff66]

Oddly enough this has, for me at least, run neck and neck with another Grainer TV title theme-“Man in a Suitcase” (1967)

[@dlamiss]

Certainly up there. My own choice would be the persuaders

[@historybuff66]

@@dlamiss Agreed…but if you toss John Barry into the mix, one can’t neglect “The Adventurer”.

[@dlamiss]

@@historybuff66 True the adventurers theme was certainly better than the show which was bloody awful

[@historybuff66]

@@dlamiss Yes, I was so hoping would enjoy it because I like Gene Barry…but what a terrible job of miscasting.

[@johnmooney9403]

One of the most groundbreaking And innovative TV show's ever made

[@ewaf88]

Pure brilliance - This is how to write a theme

[@gordongrant408]

Agreed 👍

[@SmallWStudio]

Back in 1967 I recorded this and the "Man in a Suitcase" theme on my $20 Woolworth's reel to reel recorder so I could play them over and over. Had to hold that crystal mic close to the Philco speaker to get that "perfect" sound ;-). Just found the 3" reel that I recorded them on...what a hoot!!!

[@chrisc1553]

I was born in 2003 and up into my early teens I did the same

[@kevindouglas8652]

I had this,along with Marty Feldman's Mad house that was on before it,Circa;1971.50 years mate,and we are still here.

[@SmallWStudio]

@@kevindouglas8652 Not familiar with that one, as I'm in the US. Need to track it down!

[@bl75025]

My brother and I used to do the same thing with a cassette recorder. Got the best theme songs like this one and Star Trek.

[@SmallWStudio]

@@bl75025 Ah those were the days for sure!!!

[@spitfiremark1a768]

I had and a1966 Lotus7 because of this piece of music. I now have another Lotus 7 because of this piece of music.

[@hardrockindaddy]

The show was decades ahead of it's time. The ultimate series with the ultimate actor who wrote and directed it.

[@robharding4028]

It was decades ahead , much lie myself.

[@fodiladjila2853]

Un génie, grand bonhomme ❤🙏

[@sonofcy]

It was paradoxically, both decades ahead of it's time, but also distinctly of it, I remember watching as a child on first broadcast on ATV in 1967.

[@brianallsopp69]

I love the fact Patrick turned down James Bond because he didn't like the characters loose morals,,,it wouldn't have worked like Connery he was his own man and didn't like too much fuss ,,,

[@reverendbluejeans1748]

I don't know about that, but it does seam futuristic and old fashioned at the same time

[@paulputnam8211]

An excellent rendition of the music that heralded a TV series that was decades ahead of it's time. No company would dare do this today - too 'different', too 'non mainstream'. Love it !

[@bodgy]

It was remade a few years ago, but nothing like the original. But I liked the remake take as well.

[@gerardkijak1686]

Ron Grainer was terrific!

[@drjthornley]

Musically Incredible. A kind of perfection.

[@paultaylor3030]

Loved this when i was young it depicts era that we’ll never see again Brilliant 👍👌

[@joeenglert]

not so sure about 'never see again' if I go to heaven, I pray it is just my life in the sixties and mid seventies over and over again for eternity

[@jimmypage9283]

Always loved the British tv drama theme tunes, class.

[@PETERJOHN101]

This music fascinated me as a 10 year old boy who watched the show with my family on CBS (I think) in the mid-60's. I found it strangely futuristic in a way that made me feel as though my connection to it would always be there, and that in fact has been the case.

[@stevewynnearts]

PETER JOHN BRANDAL same here it’s always there !

[@kevindouglas8652]

Bafta had other ideas,and gave all the plaudits to the Forsyte Saga. Totally ignoring the performances of a lifetime,given out by serious Actors during 17 episodes. Perhaps that is one of the reasons McGoohan turned his back on the UK.

[@oscarlasprilla9345]

One of the most successful TV series ever, everything fitted so well........

[@altfactor]

In America, "The Prisoner" was first broadcast in 1968 by CBS as a summer replacement for Jackie Gleason. It proved so popular that it was rerun the next summer.

[@petermcintyreA1]

Love those bongos keeping it all together.

[@StellarFella]

So many musical themes of that era had bongos as a prominent ingredient.

[@kevindouglas8652]

And the trumpets!.

[@isee7668]

rqcist!

[@boradis]

i now have a new song to angrily drive around town listening to.

[@jillbonney7599]

Every time I visit portmerion I’m humming this in my head. Classic and epic

[@klishnor1]

Who isn't :) Be seeing you!

[@markwhittingham7626]

Was looking after a friends holiday home nearby years ago. Went visiting here. Fantastic! Watched it when next on TV. Superb!!

[@lawrencedoliveiro9104]

Clough Williams-Ellis got fed up of the whole business.

[@TheBrummie60]

Absolute masterpiece! 👍

[@derekramsaroup3883]

Most exciting title sequence ever ...almost a lost art today ....

[@eflabb]

This superb atmospheric piece - I can almost see that white bubble chasing Number - whatever, he was, not a number, a free man - together with Ron Grainer's excellent whistling theme to the movie Only When I Larf and the superb Man in a Suitcase theme, are the stuff of legends.

[@pickmeaname]

Those were "Rovers"

[@philr5497]

Dr. Who!

[@thejoyofsoxmovie7211]

Number 6.

[@squirehaggard4749]

Best opening of any show ever.

[@altfactor]

This is the first time I've ever heard the full "Prisoner" theme without the sound effects (i.e. the thunderclap at the beginning, Number 6's car, the second thunderclap when he drops his resignation letter on his boss' desk, the sleeping gas through the keyhole of his condo's front door, etc.).

[@michaelgaynor2557]

Cool 😎

[@Laceykat66]

I feel that those sounds were as much a part of the theme as the other instruments.

[@kevindouglas8652]

You can see his face throughout.

[@paulm.newitt3246]

With the Lotus Super Seven, too! So cool!!

[@kevindouglas8652]

Everybody wanted that.

[@spitfiremark1a768]

I had a 1966 s2 7 because of this music.

[@robharding4028]

This is such an iconic 60's T V theme, There was some really exciting ones. but few could match this ! Danger man is another classic.

[@blackganistan]

This tune, one of the greatest intros of 1960's . Rolling the clock back I could remember how boring most british tv shows were, as I grew older, an understand of the common. But, here in the US, our struggles are not without obsticles. Patrick Magohan , excellent actor, director, shows how, with service, the underbelly of the powers that be. I would like more marching bands, play this tune, as reminder of our struggles.

[@majkus]

Between The Prisoner, Doctor Who, Man In A Suitcase, and Steptoe and Son ("Old Ned"), it is safe to say the man was a genius.

[@alfieconn2692]

Don't forget The Omega Man, Shelley and Tales of the Unexpected. Genius is the word.

[@keithbell2604]

All hail Ron grainer, so many great themes.

[@leemerison5575]

That programme was mental!!!

[@rolandmeyer3729]

I used to love The Prisoner. I still do but I used to too.

[@kenderen3736]

I had to get this series. Loved the theme song.

[@SJ_Javier]

I just finished to watch for third time in my life this series. I was needing this full version and now I want this playing non-stop on my funeral.

[@eireaontaithe5760]

Ron Grainer. Mr Music.

[@valeriewhite9224]

Great to hear this again. it takes me back to when I was a teen.

[@k.kdowning7334]

great drummer and bongo players.

[@keithnorris6348]

I like the crystal top treble on the guitar as a cut through sound.

[@NicoBertix]

Awesome tune

[@bharnden7759]

He also wrote the Dr Who theme, and the Omega Man score.

[@polythenewrappedme6102]

Be seeing you ! I am not a number, I am a free man.

[@arwelp]

I watched this when it was first broadcast when I was 9 - I think it was on on Sunday afternoons in my ITV region (Granada). Didn’t understand it , but I loved the theme music! Loved The Avengers which was on on Sunday evenings in that era too!

[@michaelelsy2209]

Great theme tune and great show.

[@kevindouglas8652]

Nothing of this standard today. How they got it to fit the scenes is unbelievable.

[@blakeroskelley9584]

Ron Grainer also did the hauntingly beautiful music for the Omega Man with Charlton Heston.

[@Jorg-cv3xt]

Very true - You can even hear a bit of "The Prisoner Theme" in the "Omega Man" Score....(check cue "Neville chrases through" which is good reference for the total score - very similar in style)

[@richardresseguier1]

Superbe série, acteur magistral et la musique !

[@tomsiebert1941]

One of the greatest TV themes (and series!) of all time. Grainer also did a great score for "The Omega Man." Under-rated composer, for sure.

[@mortalhellion]

Ron Grainer was the composer of the Doctor Who theme as well.

[@MakerfieldConsort]

​@@mortalhellionAnd that of Steptoe and Son, proving if nothing else just how versatile he was.

[@KnowYoutheDukeofArgyll1841]

Be seeing you!

[@longwlenguyen4214]

The Prisoner is like what if James Bond were set in a surreal Orwellian 1984 but directed by Alfred Hitchcock and David Lynch

[@yoruneko34]

this opening is great cause it represents the hero refusal to yield no matter what

[@jenniferbasterfield5770]

love this tune

[@severianobarrosjr2528]

Esse seriado marcou o inicio de minha adolescência. Assisti todos os episódios. Uma viagem. Era fascinante, principalmente para a época.

[@darylhood4477]

Second only to Ron’s soundtrack for Man in a suitcase.... both wonderful....😎👍

[@deacondavis5098]

Love the guitar work on this piece!

[@Maroon601]

First watched this as a teenager in the early-to-mid-80s on Channel 4 on a small black & white portable TV with a slightly dodgy aerial. I think it was on every Monday night at 9:00pm and once I'd seen episode 1, it was all I could think about all day on Mondays whilst I was at school because I knew it was 'Prisoner night'. I was hooked! Absolutely LOVED the theme tune too and to use a modern phrase, doesn't this version go a bit 'badass' for a time on 3:00? Since been to Portmeirion twice - fab place!

[@jockeylad08]

Best theme ever.

[@stevecharlemagne4496]

ALL TIME CLASSIC SERIES, ALL TIME CLASSIC TV THEME.

[@highwindsclarke2685]

I have this on DVD and books. This version was only used in the first episode. The episode that was banned in the USA was Living In Harmony The last bit of this is heard in Fall Out. I also have Danger Man on DVD. The Prisoner started on 08-08-2024 @ 20:00 on Legend Extra (Freeview 69).

[@Ghrail]

Thank you very much for this, I was looking for it since I saw the first episode! Great!

[@janthompson2855]

Loved the Prisoner when I a young ‘un.

[@yvonnesimmonds4050]

'First Class; Without Doubt Superb'. ☆☆☆☆☆.!!!!!!!

[@GyitMulhaneski-GloriousYears]

The REAL national anthem.

[@SeventhKey1]

This show was taught in universities!

[@MarkMeade-e1y]

“ im not a number I’m a free man “

[@Jmcg1961]

Great show great tune what was it all about Haha why he never got the bond job he was great mates with big Sean roger Moore and Michael Caine 😅

[@noopieflace]

This television show was way ahead of its time. Even today, I doubt of any American tv watchers would get it!

[@altfactor]

+Vic Glazer Who anywhere in the world could?> Just watch it and enjoy the ride!

[@K3KCT]

Oh, it's all about Americans for Vic

[@johcafra]

This one did, though I'll cheerfully admit that final episode took awhile to...think my way out of?

[@DarrenGauthier]

Americans DID get it...it ran on CBS, the #1 network at the time, and its because of US there are more episodes than originally intended: CBS put up the dough. And if that wasn't enough, Patrick McGoohan was an American by birth in New York and after his success an American by choice until the end of his life.

[@johnfraraccio99]

Besides noticing him as "Secret Agent (Man)" my intro to "Paddy" was by way of (believe it or not) Walt Disney in two films, one broadcast on Stateside TV as The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, in which he played "Dr. Syn," and the other, The Three Lives of Thomasina. Try to find Hell Drivers for one of his earliest roles with at least three other character actors Before We Knew Them As. And he's as Irish as he can possibly get in The Quare Fellow. Truly a talent.

[@martynwilliams8526]

Made me leave the pub early on Sunday lunchtimes!

[@lawrencedoliveiro9104]

“The new Number 2” ... the implication being that, having failed to break his spirit, the old Number 2 was replaced with somebody else to have another try. Who was your favourite Number 2? I think it had to be Leo McKern. He started the series off, and ended it. And he was the only one who could carry out the opening dialogue while keeping it natural, rather than stilted and declamatory.

[@kevindouglas8652]

The red phone,would light up,at the end of the episode,with whoever,was No-2,looking at it with dread. Peter Wyngarde was excellent,and matched Mcgoohan,every step of the way. Along with Sir Roger Moore,the three biggest names in British TV at that time.

[@MrMjp58]

Interesting to hear an extended version of the theme. I enjoyed this in '68 - as a 10 year old, even though I preferred The Avengers [Emma Peel era]. I found it strangely fascinating and thought PM was a terrific actor. Watching re-runs of the series in recent years left me appreciating only parts of it; other bits hadn't worn all that well IMO.

[@kevindouglas8652]

They reckon,The Avengers was the very reason this series never took off.As everyone in the UK and US was hooked on them.Only for a year later,for that to be shelved.The 60's was awash with spy capers,they came and went.But this one never went,as it ended unexplained.

[@brucekilby9957]

It went nowhere like Patrick McGoonans character. Still a underated actor. There was a movie or Tv series in the last few years? Good show for its time.🇬🇧

[@jefffuller9918]

@@kevindouglas8652 Actually Patrick only wanted to do a mini series. He want 7 episodes only. The network and Sir Lew Grade wanted a full seasons worth. They settled for 17.

[@yoruneko34]

If PMG had made it in cinema in the US he would have been one of the greatest actors of the century, Orson Welles said so.

[@lawrencedoliveiro9104]

McGoohan was considered for James Bond, but he didn’t approve of the character. Instead, he created John Drake in _Danger Man_ , the anti-James Bond, who preferred to get out of sticky situations using his wits and his charm instead of blowing things up, who treated women with respect, and wouldn’t carry a gun. His character in _The Prisoner_ was basically Drake, but having walked away from _Danger Man_ production at short notice and leaving all that bad blood behind, he couldn’t explicitly add insult to injury by admitting that he had taken the character with him. So this character ends up nameless, just being “Number Six” and nothing more.

[@jeanpeter5578]

Brilliant one of the all-time greats be seeing you

[@mmpiforall5913]

Great soundtrack for the 'ol getaway car! LOL

[@johnbowkett5920]

Most theme music was better than the music of today .

[@Torapatapomme]

The Canadian label Disques Cinémusique recently released excerpts from two soundtracks composed and conducted by Ron Grainer in the early sixties : Nothing But the Best and The Moon-Spinners. Available as download and stream on most digital stores online.

[@wendyleerickman7526]

Totally Cool!

[@jeenkzk5919]

I’ve wanted to find this theme!! By the way the whole show is on Tubi for free!

[@DaDa-David]

Awesome musical talent - check out what else he did!

[@RaineStudio]

First time I noticed the trumpet goof at 0:59.

[@splunge2222]

This was the second theme that they worked on. The original one was rejected.

[@robharding4028]

The 60's in colour ! well it was very colourful for me, as a young boy, Wouldn't mind popping back for a spell, that would be great, But I may abscond.

[@leelarson107]

ONE striking feature of that entire series was that you could watch the episodes over and over again and still get more and more out of them. this is one of the greatest TV series ever made. *And it was done without being Politically Correct or using foul language or resorting to sex scenes to hold the viewing audience. That's more than Hollyweird or the various studios can do today. Patrick McGoohan was never given the recognition he deserved.

[@catherinekyngdon327]

Ron Grainger was an Australian composer. The Weekend Australian newspaper March 11-12, 2017 has an excellent article about him. I've never seen the series, 'The Prisoner', but I'm so glad I've heard its theme music as I don't think I've heard anything quite like it before.

[@marknorth8904]

If you get the chance, you should see all 17 episodes of "The Prisoner". Aside from the final episode, they are pretty straightforward. The final episode is very thought stimulating and bizarre...Enjoy...

[@Maroon601]

Freeview (channel 149) starting to show this from tomorrow (Thursday 10th March 2022)! Enjoy again...

[@Phd0628]

Great !!

[@robzertjos6216]

Legendary, British spy beat!

[@deepredson]

Strange without the FX & dialogue in background. FAB & Far Out, man, Be seeing you.

[@richardclarke376]

More effort went into this theme tune than writing the plots of most modern TV shows

[@user-yd3kn5wx2y]

La fin est excellente car elle nous fait comprenne qu'on est piéger dans une prison géante et il n'y a pas d'échappatoire hélas

[@stevevanzandt6784]

❤

[@Skidoo22]

02:34 As heard only from the beginning of Fall Out.

[@Pauldjreadman]

If you haven't had enough of the Avengers then this is just as cool. The tv version of psychedelic rock ,

[@roystonlodge]

Great background music for a tabletop espionage RPG. :-)

[@xtropiqyztriasmythe-smythe261]

Yes!!

[@dudleymq]

Echoes of his Omega Man theme...love it!

[@thewhiteroom23]

There was a house record around 1989 which incooperated the theme. Steve Wright used to play it on his afternoon programme but never gave the artist name. I found it once but think it has been deleted. Very rare I think...

[@dazzlingdavedainty]

M.C.NO 6 SEARCH THAT MIGHT BE IT

[@kevindouglas8652]

You've got some memory. I only knew the Country and Western song he used,when he came back to BBC. Something about a Main Road.

[@thewhiteroom23]

No its not the MC No6 one. I vaguely remember it being called Fallout or being by an artist called Fallout when it was on YT. There were no vocals it had a housey bassline similar to late 80's stuff at the time, had a string melody interspersed with the main Prisoner theme and a typical house piano break similar in style to the one by Guru Josh's Infinity. Probably taped it off the radio at the time but will take me several years to trawl through old cassettes to find it!

[@adriansherlockdamondark.1094]

How awesome is this? :)

[@cemonkey1]

genius

[@Pauley_in_GP]

Love the music. Loved the series. Hated the ending.

[@宮久保恒紀]

ありがとう👍🏻

[@mikewellwood1412]

Very appropriate now for our period of house arrest, aka lockdown.

[@CarlB_1962]

Yes, now we are all in The Village!

[@Pauldjreadman]

Lol

[@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle]

Number 10 has a lot to answer for.

[@richardspeziale]

now...who has the THUNDERCLAP?!

[@robertlehnert4148]

2024: "Stay unmutual, friends..."

[@munchmoo6586]

Me realising that I have homework due today while walking there be like

[@SirNOSAJ]

awesome

[@markfisher5119]

Can you think of a more Sixties-sounding theme song? I can't.

[@RaineStudio]

Peter Gunn