Arrival (The Prisoner): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|First episode of the original series of The Prisoner}} |
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{{Infobox Television episode| |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}} |
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Title = Arrival |
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{{Use British English|date=June 2015}} |
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| Series = The Prisoner |
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{{Infobox television episode |
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| Season = 1 |
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| series = [[The Prisoner]] |
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| Episode = 1 |
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| image = Arrival The Prisoner.jpeg |
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| Guests = Number Two - [[Guy Doleman]]<br/>The New Number Two - [[George Baker (actor)|George Baker]]<br/>The Woman - [[Virginia Maskell]]<br/>Cobb - [[Paul Eddington]]<ref name="credits">episode credits</ref> |
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| image_size = 250 |
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| Writer = [[George Markstein]] and [[David Tomblin]] |
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| image_alt = Screenshot of the programme titles |
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| Director = [[Don Chaffey]] |
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| caption = |
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| series_no = 1 |
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| Airdate = [[October 1]], [[1967]] |
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| episode = 1 |
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| Episode list = [[List of The Prisoner episodes]] |
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| director = [[Don Chaffey]] |
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| Image = |
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| writer = * [[George Markstein]] |
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| Prev = |
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* [[David Tomblin]] |
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| Next = [[The Chimes of Big Ben (The Prisoner)|The Chimes of Big Ben]] |
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| production = 1 |
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| airdate = {{Start date|1967|09|29|df=yes}} |
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| guests = * [[Guy Doleman]] |
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* [[George Baker (British actor)|George Baker]] |
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* [[Virginia Maskell]] |
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* [[Paul Eddington]] |
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| prev = |
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| next = [[The Chimes of Big Ben]] |
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| episode_list = List of The Prisoner episodes |
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}} |
}} |
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"'''Arrival'''" is the first episode of the [[allegorical]] British [[science fiction]] TV series ''[[The Prisoner]]''. It was written by [[George Markstein]] and [[David Tomblin]], and directed by [[Don Chaffey]]. It was first broadcast in the UK on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] ([[ATV Midlands]] and [[Grampian Television|Grampian]]) on Friday 29 September 1967, and first aired in the United States on [[CBS]] on Saturday 1 June 1968.<ref name="Pixley">{{cite book |last=Pixley |first=Andrew |title=The Prisoner: A Complete Production Guide |publisher=Network |date=2007 |pages=49–53, 82}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anorakzone.com/prisoner/chimes.html |title=The Chimes of Big Ben |website=anorakzone.com |access-date=22 March 2019}}</ref> |
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The episode introduced the character of [[Number Six (The Prisoner)|Number Six]], portrayed by co-creator [[Patrick McGoohan]], and introduced [[Guy Doleman]] and [[George Baker (British actor)|George Baker]] in the role of [[Number Two (The Prisoner)|Number Two]], the regularly changing administrator of [[The Village (The Prisoner)|The Village]] in which Number Six was incarcerated.<ref>{{cite book |last=Davies |first=Steven Paul |title=The Prisoner Handbook |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BCSx2zdxv6UC |publisher=Pan Macmillan |date=2007 |page=73 |isbn=978-0-230-53028-7}}</ref> |
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"'''Arrival'''" is the title of the first episode of the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[science fiction]]-[[allegory|allegorical]] series, ''[[The Prisoner]]''. It originally aired in the UK on [[ITV]] on [[October 1]], [[1967]] and was first broadcast in the [[United States]] on [[CBS]] in the summer of [[1968]]. |
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The episode introduced |
The episode introduced most of the concepts of the series present throughout its run, as Number Two used various means to find out why Number Six had abruptly resigned from his intelligence job. |
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==Plot summary== |
==Plot summary== |
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An unidentified British intelligence agent storms into his employer's London office to hand in his resignation. He returns home in his [[Lotus Seven]] and hastily packs a bag to go travelling, unaware that a hearse has followed him home. The hearse driver releases [[knockout gas]] into the man's home via the keyhole. The man collapses in his study. Later, the man wakes up in what appears to be his study, but finds it is a mockup located in "The Village". He asks the colourfully clad residents of the Village what country he is in, but they cannot provide a satisfactory answer. He discovers the Village is surrounded by mountains save for its beachline, which opens onto the ocean with no sign of land nearby. Frustrated, he returns to the mockup study and finds it is attached to a modern flat. There, he receives a phone call and is told that [[Number Two (The Prisoner)|Number Two]] wants to meet him at the Green Dome. |
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===Introduction=== |
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"Arrival" begins with a fast-paced sequence showing a stern-faced man driving a [[Lotus Seven]] through the streets of [[London]]. After leaving his vehicle in an underground parking garage, the man strides down a dimly lit corridor and throws open the doors to an office. Seated at a desk, a bald man (played by ''Prisoner'' co-creator, [[George Markstein]]) watches as the man paces back and forth, clearly raising his voice ([[thunder]] is heard in place of dialogue) before throwing an envelope on the desk and slamming his fist down (a nearby teacup shatters from the impact). |
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{{Quote box|quote=A lot of people are curious about what lies behind your resignation. You've had a brilliant career. They want to know why you suddenly left.|salign=left|source=Number Two to Number Six|width=18%|align=left}} |
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The man — whose real name is never revealed — drives away, unaware that a [[hearse]] is following. Meanwhile, the camera shows the man's face on his ID card being stamped with a row of Xs. This card is sent away on a conveyor belt to a records room and is dropped into a filing cabinet drawer which is marked "RESIGNED". |
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At the Green Dome, where several technicians monitor all aspects of the Village, Number Two tells the man they only wish to know why he resigned and to whom he is loyal, as the intelligence he has gathered over his career is too valuable to simply let him "walk away". Number Two suggests they would rather have his cooperation, but are prepared to use other means as needed. Number Two takes the man on a tour of the Village to show him the security systems they have in place to keep the inhabitants in line, including [[Rover (The Prisoner)|Rover]], a mysterious floating balloon guardian that attacks those who flee. Later that night, the man attempts escape by sea but Rover catches him and renders him unconscious. |
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The man arrives home and enters his flat; he starts quickly packing a suitcase, tossing a few travel brochures on top and slamming the case shut. Outside, a tall individual dressed as an undertaker emerges from the hearse and approaches the man's front door. |
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{{Quote box|quote=I will not make any deals with you. I've resigned. I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered! My life is my own!|salign=right|source=Number Six to Number Two|width=18%|align=right}} |
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The man does not notice the gas entering through the keyhole into his apartment until it is too late. His vision begins to swirl and he collapses onto a [[Couch|Chesterfield]]. |
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The man wakes in the Village's hospital, and finds a former colleague, Cobb, in the next bed. The man learns Cobb is also incarcerated in the Village, but before he can learn more, the hospital staff take him away for examination. On his return, he is told Cobb committed suicide by jumping out of the window. The man is released, and goes to accost Number Two, but finds that a different man is in the Green Dome. The new Number Two explains they may change that position from time to time for unexplained reasons. He then explains that no one in the Village uses his or her name, but is instead assigned a number, and the man is now [[Number Six (The Prisoner)|Number Six]]. Number Six refuses to use this title as he adjusts to life in the Village. |
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He awakens sometime later, apparently still in his apartment. Groggily, he gets up and goes to the window. But instead of seeing the familiar London street, he sees an [[Italy|Italian]]-style courtyard surrounded by [[Roman architecture|Roman]]-style columns and ancient looking buildings. He is now a prisoner of [[The Village (The Prisoner)|The Village]]. |
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Number Six attends Cobb's funeral and observes a woman watching from afar, and proceeds to follow her around the Village before he talks to her directly. The woman, Number Nine, claims to have been working with Cobb on an escape plan, and suggests that Number Six can still use the same plan. She gives him an electropass that can keep Rover at bay, giving him time to escape via a helicopter. Number Six has doubts about her motives as he had seen her talking to Number Two, but accepts the pass. That night, Number Six uses the pass and acquires a helicopter, but as he flies off, one of the technicians remotely takes over the helicopter and returns it to the Village. Number Six is escorted back to his home in the Village. Number Two is watching these events with Cobb, who had faked his death to mislead Number Six. With his assignment complete, Cobb prepares to move on to his next duty, but warns Number Two that Number Six will be "a tough nut to crack".<ref name="Pixley"/> |
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With a few exceptions, each episode of ''The Prisoner'' begins with an edited-down version of this sequence. |
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==Cast== |
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===Main storyline=== |
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{{div col}} |
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The man — dazed and confused — explores his new prison. He begins meeting inhabitants of The Village and learns its standard greeting — "Be seeing you" (delivered with an odd-looking salute). He takes his first ride in a Village taxi and learns that the inhabitants of The Village are international. |
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* [[Virginia Maskell]] . . . The Woman |
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He learns that the layout of The Village makes it difficult to leave — surrounded on three sides by mountains, and the fourth by "The Sea". Maps offer no clue as to where The Village is, and no one will answer the question for him. |
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* [[Guy Doleman]] . . . [[Number Two (The Prisoner)|Number Two]] |
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* [[Paul Eddington]] . . . Cobb |
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* [[George Baker (British actor)|George Baker]] . . . The New Number Two |
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* [[Angelo Muscat]] . . . The Butler |
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* [[Barbara Yu Ling]] . . . Taxi driver (Number 18) |
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* Stephanie Randall . . . Maid (Number 66) |
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* Jack Allen . . . Doctor |
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* [[Fabia Drake]] . . . Welfare worker |
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* [[Denis Shaw]] . . . Shopkeeper (Number 19) |
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* [[Oliver MacGreevy]] . . . Gardener/electrician |
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* [[Frederick Piper]] . . . Ex-Admiral (Number 66) |
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* [[Patsy Smart]] . . . Waitress (Number 104) |
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* [[Christopher Benjamin (actor)|Christopher Benjamin]] . . . Labour Exchange manager (Number 20) |
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* [[Peter Swanwick]] . . . Supervisor (Number 28) |
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* David Garfield . . . Hospital attendant |
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* [[Peter Brace]] . . . 1st Guardian |
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* Keith Peacock . . . 2nd Guardian |
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* [[Fenella Fielding]] . . . Announcer/Operator (voice only) |
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{{div col end}} |
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==Production== |
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Returning to the place where he awoke — inside it is a near-perfect replica of his London flat — he sees that the numeral 6 has now been attached to a sign outside. The phone rings when he enters and the newly christened No. 6 is invited to the Green Dome to visit with No. 2. |
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===Exterior shots at Portmeirion=== |
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The first draft script by [[George Markstein]] was completed in the spring of 1966. [[David Tomblin]] then assisted Markstein and they prepared a script that [[Patrick McGoohan]] then further adapted. In late June 1966 a shooting script had been finalised (now called "The Arrival"). Principal location filming began in [[Portmeirion]] on 5 September 1966, with [[Don Chaffey]] as director. |
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Further scenes were shot on 6 September, but [[Guy Doleman]] (playing Number Two) was suffering from cracked ribs and his presence only lasted two days. The plan was to complete shooting at Portmeirion by 9 September but filming was to overrun by several days. The aerial shots from the helicopter were filmed between 14 and 16 September. A body double was used for the now absent Guy Doleman. Chaffey was still filming exterior shots for the episode on 18 September. On 30 September, the last day of shooting at Portmeirion, McGoohan directed a number of shots including Rover's attack on a Villager in the main piazza. |
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No. 2 turns out to be a kindly man, a bureaucrat who is apparently only interested in doing a double check as to No. 6's motives for resigning from an unidentified (but undeniably British) organization (presumably of the spying variety). "Co-operate and this can be a very nice place," he says. No. 6 learns that The Village has been spying on him for some time and has a complete dossier on him already — but No. 2 will not say which side runs The Village. During his visit with No. 2, No. 6 first meets the Butler ([[Angelo Muscat]]), who represents "the little man". He is a short servant who never speaks and who, as the series progresses, turns out to be just about the only constant in The Village besides No. 6 himself. |
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During the shooting in September it was realised that the initial idea for the guardian 'Rover' was unworkable. Initially the device was intended as a black-and-white domed contraption with a blue light on top. Inside was a go-kart and room enough for a man to steer. It quickly became evident that the contraption was unsteerable on Portmeirion's cobbled streets. A version that would act on water simply sank. Whose idea it was to use weather balloons is contested but it would appear someone saw them being used over the estuary and decided they could be used as 'Rover'.<ref name="Pixley"/> |
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No. 2 takes No. 6 on a tour, and describes The Village as a place where former agents come to either retire or be debriefed. There is no escape, and to illustrate this, No. 2 activates [[Rover (The Prisoner)|Rover]], a roaring, balloon-like "creature", or machine, that envelops a rebellious Villager, leaving nothing behind. |
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===Interior shots at MGM-British, Borehamwood=== |
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After this unsettling tour, No. 6 makes his first escape attempt on foot, but is soon captured by Rover who, fortunately, does not kill No. 6 this time. |
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During the first two weeks of October 1966, the interior scenes were shot at the [[MGM-British Studios]]. All of guest stars [[George Baker (British actor)|George Baker]] (new Number Two) and [[Paul Eddington]] (Cobb) were shot in this period. A key set was redressed as Number Two's living quarters, the Control Room and the Labour Exchange. Other shots showed the General Store and the interior of Number Six's cottage.<ref name="Pixley"/> |
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===Editing=== |
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No. 6 awakes in The Hospital where he finds Cobb ([[Paul Eddington]]), a former colleague, who has also been incarcerated. Cobb is not very useful as a source of information and, moments before No. 6 returns from a brief interrogation, Cobb jumps out the window to his (apparent) death. |
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Editing of "Arrival" began immediately after the interior shots were completed. Lee Doig had a rough cut of the episode prepared by the end of December 1966. Geoff Foot also finished the [[Opening and closing sequences of The Prisoner|opening sequence]] for the episode – this longer version was only used to introduce this episode. The initial cut was some 90 minutes long and numerous cuts had to be made to bring it down to the required 48 minutes for transmission.<ref name="Pixley"/> |
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===Music=== |
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No. 6 leaves the hospital and is forced to wear a Villager's costume as his old clothes have supposedly been burnt. The first thing he removes is the identity badge (with an image of a [[Penny-farthing]] bicycle — the Village's insignia) identifying him as No. 6. Except on rare occasions, No. 6 will never wear such a badge again. |
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[[Robert Farnon]] composed the first score and cues for the episode on 20 December 1966. His score and theme tune was rejected, and [[Wilfred Josephs]] was commissioned to write another in early January 1967. |
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The first edit of the episode appeared in February 1967, but by March much of Josephs' score had been removed. [[Ron Grainer]] was asked to create a theme tune and his was later used on all episodes, a longer version prepared for the extended opening sequence in "Arrival". Additional incidental music cues created by Albert Elms.<ref name="Pixley"/> |
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No. 6 storms up to the [[Green Dome]] to confront No. 2, only to discover that it is now a different man. No. 2 can be and is replaced from time to time, for reasons not explained. This No. 2 is a colder individual, less friendly towards No. 6. |
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==Alternative version== |
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Later, No. 6 observes the funeral service for Cobb and sees a beautiful young woman following behind the funeral procession. He confronts her and learns that she was Cobb's lover. At a later rendezvous she reveals that she and Cobb were working on an escape plan and she promises to help No. 6 escape. The Prisoner is suspicious when he sees her visiting with No. 2. But she claims her intentions are honourable and she gives No. 6 an electropass, a modified wristwatch designed to stave off Rover and allow access to the Village's helicopter. The girl refuses to accompany No. 6. |
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During the production of the last four episodes of ''The Prisoner'' series (the episode "[[Living in Harmony (The Prisoner)|Living in Harmony]]" was being made) ITC arranged for a press conference to take place at MGM-British studios in Borehamwood on 20 September 1967 – a week before the scheduled transmission on some British TV channels. At the press coverage Patrick McGoohan (at the start wearing his ''kosho'' uniform, a made up martial art used in the series) was interviewed inside the cage shown in the episode "[[Once Upon a Time (The Prisoner)|Once Upon a Time]]". Also present was [[Angelo Muscat]], the mute butler seen in most episodes, and [[Alexis Kanner]]. Two episodes – "Arrival" and "[[The Chimes of Big Ben]]" – were played to the press. Both episodes had different title sequences at start and finish to that eventually broadcast, as well as with different theme music (by [[Albert Elms]] rather than [[Ron Grainer]]) and different edits of scenes including different shots and extra dialogue. The alternative version of "Arrival" was released by the Network imprint on [[DVD]] in the UK in 2003. A 2007 DVD release included an improved-quality version, digitally remastered from a faded 35mm print, which can also be viewed with a music-only soundtrack. |
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==Broadcast== |
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The Prisoner makes his way to the helicopter pad and uses the electropass to keep Rover at bay as he boards the vehicle. He takes off, but unknown to him he is being observed by No. 2. A technician takes control of the helicopter via remote control and soon No. 6 is back in the Village. |
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The broadcast date of the episode varied in different ITV regions of the UK. The episode was first shown at 7:30pm on Friday 29 September 1967 on [[ATV Midlands]] and [[Grampian Television]], on Sunday 1 October on [[ATV London]], [[Southern Television]], [[Westward Television]] and [[ITV Tyne Tees|Tyne-Tees]]; on Thursday 5 October on [[Scottish Television]], on Friday 6 October on [[ITV Anglia|Anglia Television]], on Thursday 19 October on [[Border Television]] and on Friday 27 October on [[ITV Granada|Granada Television]] in the North West. The aggregate viewing figures for the ITV regions that debuted the season in 1967 have been estimated at 11.0 million. In Northern Ireland, the episode did not debut until Saturday 6 January 1968, and in Wales, the episode was not broadcast until Wednesday 7 January 1970.<ref name="Pixley"/> |
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==Rover== |
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The girl's true motives are left a mystery (she is never seen again), but before No. 2 can deal with No. 6, he must dismiss his latest successful "conversion" — Cobb. As Cobb leaves, he tells No. 2, "I mustn't keep my new masters waiting" and warns that No. 6 "will be a tough nut to crack". The last words No. 2 and Cobb exchange are "Au revoir" and "Auf Wiedersehen", [[idiom]]s of farewell in [[French language|French]] and [[German language|German]] which literally refer to vision, as "Be seeing you" does. It is also left ambiguous if Cobb's use of German indicates his (new?) loyalties. |
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[[Rover (The Prisoner)|Rover]], the white balloon guardian, made its first appearance in this episode but was not identified by this name on-screen until the later episode "[[The Schizoid Man (The Prisoner)|The Schizoid Man]]". |
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==References== |
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The episode ends with a defeated No. 6 leaving the helicopter pad, as the Butler passes a sign that says "Residents Only." |
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{{reflist}} |
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==Sources== |
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==Additional guest cast== |
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* {{cite book |editor-first=Robert |editor-last=Fairclough |title=The Prisoner: The Original Scripts |publisher=Reynolds & Hearn |volume=1 |others=foreword by [[Lewis Greifer]] |year=2004 |oclc=61145235 |isbn=978-1-903111-76-5}} – script of episode |
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==External links== |
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* Taxi driver: [[Barbara Yu Ling]]<ref name="credits"/> |
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*{{IMDb episode|0679174|Arrival}} |
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* Maid: [[Stephanie Randall]]<ref name="credits"/> |
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* Welfare worker: [[Fabia Drake]]<ref name="credits"/> |
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* Shopkeeper: [[Denis Shaw]]<ref name="credits"/> |
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* Gardener/electrician: [[Oliver MacGreevy]]<ref name="credits"/> |
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* Ex-Admiral: [[Frederick Piper]]<ref name="credits"/> |
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* Waitress: [[Patsy Smart]]<ref name="credits"/> |
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* Labour Exchange manager: [[Christopher Benjamin]]<ref name="credits"/> |
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* Supervisor: [[Peter Swanwick]]<ref name="credits"/> |
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* Hospital attendant: [[David Garfield]]<ref name="credits"/> |
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* 1st Guardian: [[Peter Brace]]<ref name="credits"/> |
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* 2nd Guardian: [[Keith Peacock]]<ref name="credits"/> |
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* Announcer/Operator: [[Fenella Fielding]] (unseen) |
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{{The Prisoner}} |
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==Notes== |
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{{Subject bar |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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|portal1= Television|portal23=United Kingdom|portal2= 1960s |
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* The opening main titles sequence as seen in this episode is unique: As The Prisoner drives into the car park, he takes a ticket from a dispensing device, then exits the car and pushes through a pair of doors, marked "Way" and "Out" respectively. We see the hearse waiting for him as he pulls out into the street, then somehow it is in front of him and he passes it. None of this is seen in subsequent episodes. An extended version of the theme tune is used, and is not used again until the final episode, [[Fall Out (The Prisoner)|Fall Out]] |
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|commons=yes|commons-search=Category:The Prisoner |
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* Two versions exist of "Arrival". A slightly longer version, with different theme music and several different scenes (including a different conclusion in which Rover attacks No. 6 after he leaves the helicopter), was released on [[DVD]] in the UK in 2003. The 2007 DVD release includes an improved-quality version, restored from a faded 35mm print, which can be also viewed with a music only soundtrack. Rumours of a two-hour version have also persisted, however no such edit has yet been located. |
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|q=yes|q-search=The Prisoner |
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* Rover was not identified by this name until the later episode ''[[The Schizoid Man (The Prisoner)|The Schizoid Man]]''. |
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|d=yes}} |
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* This episode introduces a very subtle subplot which would only be addressed in one future episode, "[[Dance of the Dead (The Prisoner)|Dance of the Dead]]". Both feature female characters who are assigned to observe Village inmates and end up falling in love with them. In this episode, "The Woman", while not explicitly described as an Observer, nonetheless wears the same outfit as the Observer in "Dance of the Dead" and appears to have similar duties. "Dance of the Dead" indicates that becoming emotionally attached to a subject is an occupational hazard for Observers, which appears to be the case in "Arrival" with "The Woman" and Cobb, and in "Dance of the Dead" when Number 6's Observer also develops an apparent attachment. |
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[[Category:1960s British television series premieres]] |
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[[Category:1967 British television episodes]] |
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[[Category:The Prisoner episodes]] |
[[Category:The Prisoner episodes]] |
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[[Category:1967 television episodes]] |
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[[fr:L'Arrivée (Le Prisonnier)]] |
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[[it:Arrivo all'isola]] |
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Latest revision as of 06:09, 31 December 2024
| "Arrival" | |
|---|---|
| The Prisoner episode | |
 | |
| Episode no. | Series 1 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Don Chaffey |
| Written by | |
| Production code | 1 |
| Original air date | 29 September 1967 |
| Guest appearances | |
"Arrival" is the first episode of the allegorical British science fiction TV series The Prisoner. It was written by George Markstein and David Tomblin, and directed by Don Chaffey. It was first broadcast in the UK on ITV (ATV Midlands and Grampian) on Friday 29 September 1967, and first aired in the United States on CBS on Saturday 1 June 1968.[1][2]
The episode introduced the character of Number Six, portrayed by co-creator Patrick McGoohan, and introduced Guy Doleman and George Baker in the role of Number Two, the regularly changing administrator of The Village in which Number Six was incarcerated.[3]
The episode introduced most of the concepts of the series present throughout its run, as Number Two used various means to find out why Number Six had abruptly resigned from his intelligence job.
Plot summary
[edit]An unidentified British intelligence agent storms into his employer's London office to hand in his resignation. He returns home in his Lotus Seven and hastily packs a bag to go travelling, unaware that a hearse has followed him home. The hearse driver releases knockout gas into the man's home via the keyhole. The man collapses in his study. Later, the man wakes up in what appears to be his study, but finds it is a mockup located in "The Village". He asks the colourfully clad residents of the Village what country he is in, but they cannot provide a satisfactory answer. He discovers the Village is surrounded by mountains save for its beachline, which opens onto the ocean with no sign of land nearby. Frustrated, he returns to the mockup study and finds it is attached to a modern flat. There, he receives a phone call and is told that Number Two wants to meet him at the Green Dome.
A lot of people are curious about what lies behind your resignation. You've had a brilliant career. They want to know why you suddenly left.
At the Green Dome, where several technicians monitor all aspects of the Village, Number Two tells the man they only wish to know why he resigned and to whom he is loyal, as the intelligence he has gathered over his career is too valuable to simply let him "walk away". Number Two suggests they would rather have his cooperation, but are prepared to use other means as needed. Number Two takes the man on a tour of the Village to show him the security systems they have in place to keep the inhabitants in line, including Rover, a mysterious floating balloon guardian that attacks those who flee. Later that night, the man attempts escape by sea but Rover catches him and renders him unconscious.
I will not make any deals with you. I've resigned. I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered! My life is my own!
The man wakes in the Village's hospital, and finds a former colleague, Cobb, in the next bed. The man learns Cobb is also incarcerated in the Village, but before he can learn more, the hospital staff take him away for examination. On his return, he is told Cobb committed suicide by jumping out of the window. The man is released, and goes to accost Number Two, but finds that a different man is in the Green Dome. The new Number Two explains they may change that position from time to time for unexplained reasons. He then explains that no one in the Village uses his or her name, but is instead assigned a number, and the man is now Number Six. Number Six refuses to use this title as he adjusts to life in the Village.
Number Six attends Cobb's funeral and observes a woman watching from afar, and proceeds to follow her around the Village before he talks to her directly. The woman, Number Nine, claims to have been working with Cobb on an escape plan, and suggests that Number Six can still use the same plan. She gives him an electropass that can keep Rover at bay, giving him time to escape via a helicopter. Number Six has doubts about her motives as he had seen her talking to Number Two, but accepts the pass. That night, Number Six uses the pass and acquires a helicopter, but as he flies off, one of the technicians remotely takes over the helicopter and returns it to the Village. Number Six is escorted back to his home in the Village. Number Two is watching these events with Cobb, who had faked his death to mislead Number Six. With his assignment complete, Cobb prepares to move on to his next duty, but warns Number Two that Number Six will be "a tough nut to crack".[1]
Cast
[edit]- Virginia Maskell . . . The Woman
- Guy Doleman . . . Number Two
- Paul Eddington . . . Cobb
- George Baker . . . The New Number Two
- Angelo Muscat . . . The Butler
- Barbara Yu Ling . . . Taxi driver (Number 18)
- Stephanie Randall . . . Maid (Number 66)
- Jack Allen . . . Doctor
- Fabia Drake . . . Welfare worker
- Denis Shaw . . . Shopkeeper (Number 19)
- Oliver MacGreevy . . . Gardener/electrician
- Frederick Piper . . . Ex-Admiral (Number 66)
- Patsy Smart . . . Waitress (Number 104)
- Christopher Benjamin . . . Labour Exchange manager (Number 20)
- Peter Swanwick . . . Supervisor (Number 28)
- David Garfield . . . Hospital attendant
- Peter Brace . . . 1st Guardian
- Keith Peacock . . . 2nd Guardian
- Fenella Fielding . . . Announcer/Operator (voice only)
Production
[edit]Exterior shots at Portmeirion
[edit]The first draft script by George Markstein was completed in the spring of 1966. David Tomblin then assisted Markstein and they prepared a script that Patrick McGoohan then further adapted. In late June 1966 a shooting script had been finalised (now called "The Arrival"). Principal location filming began in Portmeirion on 5 September 1966, with Don Chaffey as director.
Further scenes were shot on 6 September, but Guy Doleman (playing Number Two) was suffering from cracked ribs and his presence only lasted two days. The plan was to complete shooting at Portmeirion by 9 September but filming was to overrun by several days. The aerial shots from the helicopter were filmed between 14 and 16 September. A body double was used for the now absent Guy Doleman. Chaffey was still filming exterior shots for the episode on 18 September. On 30 September, the last day of shooting at Portmeirion, McGoohan directed a number of shots including Rover's attack on a Villager in the main piazza.
During the shooting in September it was realised that the initial idea for the guardian 'Rover' was unworkable. Initially the device was intended as a black-and-white domed contraption with a blue light on top. Inside was a go-kart and room enough for a man to steer. It quickly became evident that the contraption was unsteerable on Portmeirion's cobbled streets. A version that would act on water simply sank. Whose idea it was to use weather balloons is contested but it would appear someone saw them being used over the estuary and decided they could be used as 'Rover'.[1]
Interior shots at MGM-British, Borehamwood
[edit]During the first two weeks of October 1966, the interior scenes were shot at the MGM-British Studios. All of guest stars George Baker (new Number Two) and Paul Eddington (Cobb) were shot in this period. A key set was redressed as Number Two's living quarters, the Control Room and the Labour Exchange. Other shots showed the General Store and the interior of Number Six's cottage.[1]
Editing
[edit]Editing of "Arrival" began immediately after the interior shots were completed. Lee Doig had a rough cut of the episode prepared by the end of December 1966. Geoff Foot also finished the opening sequence for the episode – this longer version was only used to introduce this episode. The initial cut was some 90 minutes long and numerous cuts had to be made to bring it down to the required 48 minutes for transmission.[1]
Music
[edit]Robert Farnon composed the first score and cues for the episode on 20 December 1966. His score and theme tune was rejected, and Wilfred Josephs was commissioned to write another in early January 1967.
The first edit of the episode appeared in February 1967, but by March much of Josephs' score had been removed. Ron Grainer was asked to create a theme tune and his was later used on all episodes, a longer version prepared for the extended opening sequence in "Arrival". Additional incidental music cues created by Albert Elms.[1]
Alternative version
[edit]During the production of the last four episodes of The Prisoner series (the episode "Living in Harmony" was being made) ITC arranged for a press conference to take place at MGM-British studios in Borehamwood on 20 September 1967 – a week before the scheduled transmission on some British TV channels. At the press coverage Patrick McGoohan (at the start wearing his kosho uniform, a made up martial art used in the series) was interviewed inside the cage shown in the episode "Once Upon a Time". Also present was Angelo Muscat, the mute butler seen in most episodes, and Alexis Kanner. Two episodes – "Arrival" and "The Chimes of Big Ben" – were played to the press. Both episodes had different title sequences at start and finish to that eventually broadcast, as well as with different theme music (by Albert Elms rather than Ron Grainer) and different edits of scenes including different shots and extra dialogue. The alternative version of "Arrival" was released by the Network imprint on DVD in the UK in 2003. A 2007 DVD release included an improved-quality version, digitally remastered from a faded 35mm print, which can also be viewed with a music-only soundtrack.
Broadcast
[edit]The broadcast date of the episode varied in different ITV regions of the UK. The episode was first shown at 7:30pm on Friday 29 September 1967 on ATV Midlands and Grampian Television, on Sunday 1 October on ATV London, Southern Television, Westward Television and Tyne-Tees; on Thursday 5 October on Scottish Television, on Friday 6 October on Anglia Television, on Thursday 19 October on Border Television and on Friday 27 October on Granada Television in the North West. The aggregate viewing figures for the ITV regions that debuted the season in 1967 have been estimated at 11.0 million. In Northern Ireland, the episode did not debut until Saturday 6 January 1968, and in Wales, the episode was not broadcast until Wednesday 7 January 1970.[1]
Rover
[edit]Rover, the white balloon guardian, made its first appearance in this episode but was not identified by this name on-screen until the later episode "The Schizoid Man".
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Pixley, Andrew (2007). The Prisoner: A Complete Production Guide. Network. pp. 49–53, 82.
- ^ "The Chimes of Big Ben". anorakzone.com. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ Davies, Steven Paul (2007). The Prisoner Handbook. Pan Macmillan. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-230-53028-7.
Sources
[edit]- Fairclough, Robert, ed. (2004). The Prisoner: The Original Scripts. Vol. 1. foreword by Lewis Greifer. Reynolds & Hearn. ISBN 978-1-903111-76-5. OCLC 61145235. – script of episode
External links
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