The Prisoner Puzzle - a rare interview with Patrick McGoohan (1977)

The Prisoner Puzzle - This is a rare interview with Patrick McGoohan, produced by the Ontario Educational Communications Authority, which originally aired in 1977. It features Warner Troyer interviewing Patrick McGoohan about his 1967 TV series The Prisoner. An informative and candid interview, followed by a Q&A session with the audience of Prisoner fans. This is a real treat for anyone who knows and appreciates the classic series The Prisoner.
Be seeing you!
#theprisoner
#tvseries
#cultclassic
#PatrickMcGoohan
#1967
#interview
#1977
Note: The source for this video was VHS tape, I have enhanced the video and audio.

[@stephendowthwaite2864]

THE greatest TV show ever made. I had the pleasure of meeting Patrick twice and having chats with him. We spoke of his early British films and his COLUMBO involvement. He was gracious and charming and fascinating. A wonderful man.

[@ericwillis777]

I didn't realize that the answer was in every introduction: "Who is number 1" ? "You are, number 2" but the absense of that subtle tonal phonetic makes it an exqusite enigma - the answer was hidden in plain sight all along ! Brilliant !

[@ericwillis777]

Correction : "you are number 6"

[@carolevans5285]

I remember watching as a kid and I loved it. Always have . It spoke to me then and it speaks to me today. All makes sense. He was a very smart man and a bit of a non conformist. ❤️

[@davidgrant2194]

Outstanding series..be seeing you.

[@robertroberto2487]

I Am Not A Number, I Am A Free Man. In The End We Become The Prisoners Who Can Never Escape.

[@krishnamurtiism]

Great insight into the man: doesn’t like being boxed in.

[@camdix3250]

Thank you so very much for making this available to us! This is one of the most imoprtant interviews ever to take place on television, and it is and interview about THE most important and brilliant series ever created. Full stop. I was 10 when The Prisoner aired for the first time here in Canada and was 20 when this interview occurred. At 10 I saw some of The Prisoner, but was not old enough (or perhaps smart enough) to truly appreciate what I was observing. I can clearly remember seeing this interivew when it first aired. The Ontario Education Communication Authority (OECA) which is now known as TV Ontario had finished airing The Prisoner again in 1977. At the end of each episode, journalist, Warner Troyer, would come on with a follow-up monologue about what had been seen in the episode just aired. But his monologue was done with amazing style, interesting camera shots and angles, and what Mr. Troyer said and how he said it gave me goosebumps. It thrilled me to bits. I so wish that THOSE comments were still available to see again. The Prisoner is timeless - another statement to its quality. The themes examined are as important today (2023) as they were when Mr. McGoohan created it. And Mr. McGoohan's comment that if he were to re-create The Prisoner looking at the 1980s it would be to examine the notion of "progress". Also an idea that is timeless and as important to us today as it was when he spoke those words. The Prisoner - better quality telvision you will not see anywhere else. Once again, thank you so much for keeping this interview available and alive. Best wishes.

[@believerone2001]

A GOOD SHOW MAN

[@larrytolson4135]

He was excellent in Scanners as Dr. Paul Ruth.

[@DavidThomas-fb8bq]

They were never let him going to resign.

[@melissastruxness512]

I saw him on Colombo and instantly became a huge fan. He could have been HUGE he was offered James Bond become Connery. The man had issues no doubt about it. But he was also charismatic on film

[@imreallyrotten]

Excellent indeed...

[@shirlegirling6830]

I was 36 yrs old then ,born 1941

[@davedahl4461]

By hook or by crook we will.

[@arricammarques1955]

Danger Man Episode: A view from a villa.

[@Dimultica]

'6 of 1, half a dozen of the other' ('Who is Number 1, You are Number 6'). The clues where there. I like that Jungian idea of The Shadow, the other side of our nature, and then the monkey mask before the reveal is Darwinism (evolution and survival of the fittest). 🙂

[@bongoslide]

How relevent is the theary of the prisoner to day?as Patrick said?

[@buddmannable]

The original choice to play James Bond.

[@kirnpu]

I respect him even more for passing on the role based on his moral values.

[@edgodsall3740]

Pat is amazeballs as ever… the interviewer needs to chill and lighten up tho ha..

[@robertstephenson8311]

Big tv series, worth cleaning up the sound at least !

[@belovaklebelovak7770]

42

[@davidgrant2194]

If you watch the series, (YOU WON'T GET IT !!!!!!)

[@keithschrack]

By hook or by crook, we will!

[@davidcarlin3850]

Number 6, I order you to take a Number 2

[@studiosoundworks]

Numerology..

[@markjohnston8989]

Is a number 2 a poo?

[@joemcconnell2674]

He is not a number. He is a free man. Ah ah AHH.

[@micahcareyfilms]

He sounds American!

[@beyondz55]

He was born in NYC

[@Studio-62]

I think he’s more Irish sounding wit his way of saying “tings” instead of things. But his voice is quite common-sounding as opposed to a proper British accent. No trace of that in his roles on camera however, perfect diction and delivery. A great actor and writer who never really did anything afterwards to match the Prisoner, and also passed away very early. I watched The Prisoner on TVO as a teen, loved every episode on my 10-inch black and white TV, and ate up Troyer’s thought-provoking “Prisoner Puzzle” at the end of each episode. Apparently McGoohan was offered the James Bond role but turned it down, so it went to Sean Connery. I think McGoohan would have played 007 with more gravitas, as opposed to the dry wit and roguishness of Connery.

[@philipbonner6486]

Patrick McGoohan is New York born to Irish parents so Patrick is American/Irish.

[@freddyfrazier1038]

🌷 p♥r♥o♥m♥o♥s♥m

[@DeeTeaDee]

Global village