Comments on: Great opening sequence: the Prisoner http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 26 May 2013 05:08:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Geraint Jones http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1598521 Geraint Jones Tue, 04 Dec 2012 22:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1598521 I always do - I grew up not more than 20 miles away, and worked there in the summers at the coffee/ice cream shop during my school and university years... Highlights include being reprimanded for reading a book in the quiet times between serving ice cream to tourists, being complimented on my music choice for the atmosphere by some more open minded visitors (Beth Gibbons/Rustin Man), and if the only busker allowed through the gates is still playing there, be sure to ask for his Spanish Caravan/Asturias (Leyenda). A truly unique and beautiful place. I always do – I grew up not more than 20 miles away, and worked there in the summers at the coffee/ice cream shop during my school and university years…

Highlights include being reprimanded for reading a book in the quiet times between serving ice cream to tourists, being complimented on my music choice for the atmosphere by some more open minded visitors (Beth Gibbons/Rustin Man), and if the only busker allowed through the gates is still playing there, be sure to ask for his Spanish Caravan/Asturias (Leyenda).

A truly unique and beautiful place.

]]> By: wrecksdart http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1598194 wrecksdart Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1598194  "I am not a number, I am a free man!"  A line I am forced to repeat endlessly, these days.  Great show, epic line.  ”I am not a number, I am a free man!” 

A line I am forced to repeat endlessly, these days.  Great show, epic line.

]]> By: Beanolini http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1598023 Beanolini Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1598023 <blockquote>But definitely the best bang for the buck you can get in terms of acceleration...</blockquote>Not if you're prepared to consider bikes too... it's now possible to buy a 1990s bike capable of 170mph for 1500 quid. Do be careful.

But definitely the best bang for the buck you can get in terms of acceleration…

Not if you’re prepared to consider bikes too… it’s now possible to buy a 1990s bike capable of 170mph for 1500 quid. Do be careful.

]]> By: Michael J. Epstein http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597907 Michael J. Epstein Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597907 For anyone interested in our 2-year adventure recreating it in Boston as a music video, you can check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GbUhmwSObto - Also, some more behind the scenes and details: http://donotforsake.com/arrival.html For anyone interested in our 2-year adventure recreating it in Boston as a music video, you can check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GbUhmwSObto – Also, some more behind the scenes and details: http://donotforsake.com/arrival.html

]]> By: Don http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597815 Don Tue, 04 Dec 2012 02:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597815 Not allowed to watch the Smothers Brothers once my parents decided they were subversive. Not allowed to watch the Smothers Brothers once my parents decided they were subversive.

]]> By: Scurra http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597723 Scurra Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597723 I watch the series every couple of years or so, and still find new things to think about.  As Brian Donohoe says above, it falls into a rare category of shows that remain contemporary regardless of when watched because the issues are universal but the presentations are surprisingly balanced (I'm still frequently surprised by how often Number Six isn't presented as being "right".) I watch the series every couple of years or so, and still find new things to think about.  As Brian Donohoe says above, it falls into a rare category of shows that remain contemporary regardless of when watched because the issues are universal but the presentations are surprisingly balanced (I’m still frequently surprised by how often Number Six isn’t presented as being “right”.)

]]> By: Preston Sturges http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597714 Preston Sturges Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597714 Don't forget Time Tunnel!  And compare Time Tunnel to Star Gate! Don’t forget Time Tunnel!  And compare Time Tunnel to Star Gate!

]]> By: TheOven http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597710 TheOven Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597710  A classic designed by http://www.eero-aarnio.com/8  A classic designed by http://www.eero-aarnio.com/8

]]> By: TheOven http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597706 TheOven Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597706  I have to say that I thought that floaty ball was dumb. As a child I could never understand why he couldn't just put a hand out and hold it at bay. It was hardly threatening, despite their dramatic zooms, extreme close ups and quick cuts of #6 suffocating. As an adult, I still think that but take some solace that it could have been much, much worse. From what I've read, the original version of the Rovers was even worse. More on par with the K9 or Daleks from Dr. Who, machines of some sort. Luckily for us they had problems with the prop and had to use a weather balloon instead.  I have to say that I thought that floaty ball was dumb. As a child I could never understand why he couldn’t just put a hand out and hold it at bay. It was hardly threatening, despite their dramatic zooms, extreme close ups and quick cuts of #6 suffocating. As an adult, I still think that but take some solace that it could have been much, much worse. From what I’ve read, the original version of the Rovers was even worse. More on par with the K9 or Daleks from Dr. Who, machines of some sort. Luckily for us they had problems with the prop and had to use a weather balloon instead.

]]> By: TheOven http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597699 TheOven Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597699  Agreed. I do dig the weirdness, specifically, of The Prisoner though. What I like, in retrospect, about SAM is that the seasons switched from 1hour episodes in earlier seasons and 30minute episodes in later seasons. (If memory serves. It may be that it went back to a 1hour format later on. I haven't watched the DVDs in years and can't remember.) The series also spans the black & white / colour eras so we get a nice cross section of formats, mediums and quality. It makes for more options when going back to view them.  Agreed. I do dig the weirdness, specifically, of The Prisoner though.

What I like, in retrospect, about SAM is that the seasons switched from 1hour episodes in earlier seasons and 30minute episodes in later seasons. (If memory serves. It may be that it went back to a 1hour format later on. I haven’t watched the DVDs in years and can’t remember.) The series also spans the black & white / colour eras so we get a nice cross section of formats, mediums and quality. It makes for more options when going back to view them.

]]> By: kraut http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597677 kraut Mon, 03 Dec 2012 23:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597677  Cue Iron Maiden - Prisoner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Tb8Jo11uGo  Cue Iron Maiden – Prisoner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Tb8Jo11uGo

]]> By: kraut http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597673 kraut Mon, 03 Dec 2012 23:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597673 Caterhams http://caterham.co.uk/ are certainly street legal, at least in Europe. Practical for everyday use... possibly not so much. But definitely the best bang for the buck you can get in terms of acceleration...they'll match a Ferrari for a tenth of the price. Caterhams http://caterham.co.uk/ are certainly street legal, at least in Europe. Practical for everyday use… possibly not so much. But definitely the best bang for the buck you can get in terms of acceleration…they’ll match a Ferrari for a tenth of the price.

]]> By: Mike Perkowitz http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597668 Mike Perkowitz Mon, 03 Dec 2012 23:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597668 I like Danger Man even better than the Prisoner. While the Prisoner sometimes gets carried away in its weirdness, Danger Man is always understated and near-perfect. Plus, terrific music. There are a couple of Danger Man episodes that feel like Prisoner precursors, and it's fun to think of Drake becoming Number 6. I like Danger Man even better than the Prisoner. While the Prisoner sometimes gets carried away in its weirdness, Danger Man is always understated and near-perfect. Plus, terrific music. There are a couple of Danger Man episodes that feel like Prisoner precursors, and it’s fun to think of Drake becoming Number 6.

]]> By: lecti http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597636 lecti Mon, 03 Dec 2012 23:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597636 Good show.  I just wish they've gone for a more subtle finale. Good show.  I just wish they’ve gone for a more subtle finale.

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597637 Brainspore Mon, 03 Dec 2012 23:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597637 <blockquote>Anybody who wanted to say "You are, Number Six" would use a very noticeably different sequence of pitches/volumes/whatever from what's actually used. </blockquote>Well duh. "Straightforward, unambiguous answers to questions" wasn't exactly what that show was about, was it? As for cadence/tone/punctuation changing the meaning of a phrase, I recommend reading <em>Gravity's Rainbow</em> by Thomas Pynchon. The words "You never did the Cisco Kid" will be indelibly burned into your brain for weeks.

Anybody who wanted to say “You are, Number Six” would use a very noticeably different sequence of pitches/volumes/whatever from what’s actually used.

Well duh. “Straightforward, unambiguous answers to questions” wasn’t exactly what that show was about, was it?

As for cadence/tone/punctuation changing the meaning of a phrase, I recommend reading Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon. The words “You never did the Cisco Kid” will be indelibly burned into your brain for weeks.

]]> By: gwyllion http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597630 gwyllion Mon, 03 Dec 2012 23:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597630 ah - Patrick McGoohan - one of the great loves of my life! ah – Patrick McGoohan – one of the great loves of my life!

]]> By: Romeo Vitelli http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597603 Romeo Vitelli Mon, 03 Dec 2012 22:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597603  Of course, of course.  Of course, of course.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597550 Antinous / Moderator Mon, 03 Dec 2012 22:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597550 Somehow you've missed The Pruitts of Southampton. Somehow you’ve missed The Pruitts of Southampton.

]]> By: Jared Kaufman http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597509 Jared Kaufman Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597509 My favorite part?  The "who farted?" face at the 1:30 mark.  My wife and I used to laugh and laugh and laugh (I guess you had to be there)... My favorite part?  The “who farted?” face at the 1:30 mark.  My wife and I used to laugh and laugh and laugh (I guess you had to be there)…

]]> By: Shay Guy http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597475 Shay Guy Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597475 Everyone likes to say that. Problem is, it's bull. Listen to the way the various Number Twos actually <i>say</i> the line. <i>There's no comma there.</i> Anybody who wanted to say "You are, Number Six" would use a very noticeably different sequence of pitches/volumes/whatever from what's actually used. Most of the time there isn't even a <i>pause</i>. Everyone likes to say that. Problem is, it’s bull. Listen to the way the various Number Twos actually say the line. There’s no comma there. Anybody who wanted to say “You are, Number Six” would use a very noticeably different sequence of pitches/volumes/whatever from what’s actually used. Most of the time there isn’t even a pause.

]]> By: Peter http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597469 Peter Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597469 Loved this show when I discovered it in my teens... even began to take up Number6 or variations of it as my default online usernames on various places (I was a teenager, and deep in my 'individualism' phase).   Some of them are still in use, though I'm hopefully less insufferable than I was back then. Still love the show, of course.  Loved this show when I discovered it in my teens… even began to take up Number6 or variations of it as my default online usernames on various places (I was a teenager, and deep in my ‘individualism’ phase).   Some of them are still in use, though I’m hopefully less insufferable than I was back then.

Still love the show, of course. 

]]> By: slabman http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597401 slabman Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597401 The Prisoner theme is the best TV show theme, ever.  Number One, in fact. The Prisoner theme is the best TV show theme, ever. 

Number One, in fact.

]]> By: evilpeacock http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597394 evilpeacock Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597394 I wish this was ripped from the Blu-Ray version of The Prisoner (often found at nicely discounted prices as it has been out for years). The Blu-Ray is remastered from the original film elements and is just eye-popping. If you can't really tell the different between upscaled DVDs and an HD format, than The Prisoner on Blu-Ray will change your mind. I wish this was ripped from the Blu-Ray version of The Prisoner (often found at nicely discounted prices as it has been out for years).

The Blu-Ray is remastered from the original film elements and is just eye-popping. If you can’t really tell the different between upscaled DVDs and an HD format, than The Prisoner on Blu-Ray will change your mind.

]]> By: falnfenix http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597385 falnfenix Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597385 it's been on and off Netflix Instant a few times in the past few years.  keep an eye out and it may be back. it’s been on and off Netflix Instant a few times in the past few years.  keep an eye out and it may be back.

]]> By: caseyd http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597382 caseyd Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597382 Font: the official city font of Mountain View, California. There is a universe where McGoohan plays the JimKirk, but it is dangerous Font: the official city font of Mountain View, California.

There is a universe where McGoohan plays the JimKirk, but it is dangerous

]]> By: Preston Sturges http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597369 Preston Sturges Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597369 Strangely, just watching this video made my computer leak oil..... Strangely, just watching this video made my computer leak oil…..

]]> By: TulsaTV http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597346 TulsaTV Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597346 Get the font for free here: http://www.theprisoneronline.com/html/village_font.html Get the font for free here:

http://www.theprisoneronline.com/html/village_font.html

]]> By: TulsaTV http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597339 TulsaTV Mon, 03 Dec 2012 19:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597339 I've just been corresponding with an English pilot who did some of the helicopter work on "The Prisoner", in particular, "Arrival", the first episode. The backwash from the props sometimes powered "Rover"! I’ve just been corresponding with an English pilot who did some of the helicopter work on “The Prisoner”, in particular, “Arrival”, the first episode. The backwash from the props sometimes powered “Rover”!

]]> By: Michael McWilliams http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597321 Michael McWilliams Mon, 03 Dec 2012 19:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597321 Well, better than most of those.  But not "Mr. Ed".  Well, better than most of those.  But not “Mr. Ed”. 

]]> By: Jober http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/great-opening-sequence-the-pr.html#comment-1597290 Jober Mon, 03 Dec 2012 19:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=197911#comment-1597290 McGoohan's is actually the original, the Lotus 7, dating from the mid/late 50s and continually refined. (Caterham later acquired the rights to continue building the "Se7en" after Lotus discontinued production.) The story I heard once was that Lotus was approached to provide an iconic car for McGoohan to drive, and they laid out a number of contemporary street models for him to select when he visited the factory. He bypassed them all and went straight for the minimalist, hardcore 7. McGoohan’s is actually the original, the Lotus 7, dating from the mid/late 50s and continually refined. (Caterham later acquired the rights to continue building the “Se7en” after Lotus discontinued production.) The story I heard once was that Lotus was approached to provide an iconic car for McGoohan to drive, and they laid out a number of contemporary street models for him to select when he visited the factory. He bypassed them all and went straight for the minimalist, hardcore 7.

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