THE PRISONER 2nd rejected theme.

paullubliner Says:

Feb 1, 2010 - Try Pacific 231, it's also on one of my "Ionization" LP's.

paullubliner Says:

Feb 1, 2010 - Nah, you're a peasant. This Wilfred Joseph's composition is far more complex rythmically and harmonically than Ron Grainer's simple singular melodic line. If you've an ear, it would be readily apparent that the chaos and and intonically yet masterfully creative (non) melodic lines perfectly suit the period and the Original Series. Remember, this is 45 years ago. Pop music was rightly considered "unsophisticated" back then you know. Further it was McGoohan's choice.

shivercanada Says:

Feb 3, 2010 - Doesn't fit the video in many way's... BUT it's a good piece on it's own, considering especially this was made in the late 60's some time.In many ways it fit the maddening life number 6 had.Film scoring is a tough business I've been rejected like this guy many times in the past.As i've learned also, simpler is usually better, you have to approach scoring very differently from pure composition.

PaladinHludwig Says:

Feb 3, 2010 - "busy" would be an understatement in describing this piece! Hook?  Hook? Whats a hook?LOLLOLLOL!!!!

inserto1000 Says:

Feb 3, 2010 - is it just me or does this guy sound like Hannibal Lecter to you also?You get the feeling maybe the producer was trying to get rid of this lunatic by sending him on a "Little Boxes" adventure? lol

mowriter Says:

Mar 15, 2010 - Not bad at all; works well with the tension of the opening - Number 6 knowing he needs to move quickly even before the knock out gas appears at the keyhole.

Fuliginosus Says:

Mar 26, 2010 - Thank God then didn't use this theme. I think those 'lugubrious gentleman' were right to be concerned.

paullubliner Says:

Apr 4, 2010 - It was the theme of the Village itself after all.

paullubliner Says:

Apr 4, 2010 - Ya hadda be there. I well remember 1965 (when this was all done) and this piece of music beautifully captured that era's beginnings of society's unraveling and hence it's preference by McGoohan himslef.

histrion2 Says:

Apr 7, 2010 - I'm with you - definitely better than Farnon's theme. I think it starts to get a little Hanna-Barbera-ish after #6 leaves Westminster, recovering as he starts packing his bags and the show title appears.

ryoushii Says:

Apr 8, 2010 - Simply too complex for an opening sequence. It would be perfectly suited for an internal sequence, or for the opening sequence of a movie.  For a multi-part tv series it's just too busy.

kurtb8474 Says:

Jul 12, 2010 - This has more of a spy movie feel, which the Prisoner was about spies and international intrigue. However, it would be the same without the series' signature electric guitar plinking.

Atominey Says:

Aug 6, 2010 - starts at 2:08

delwatts Says:

Aug 25, 2010 - Way to dependant on the timpani IMO as said before much too busy, I wonder what would have happened if say Led Zepplin had taken a stab at it?

CaptainBuckRogers Says:

Oct 11, 2010 - Thank heavens they used the 2nd. Very spyish, British and even Spy Hunter worthy.

Gail940 Says:

Jan 17, 2011 - bog standard intermediate 60s spy film music, nothing uplifting, Indistinguishable from the rest it would have bumed, and dragged the programe down with it

princeofdaftness Says:

May 12, 2011 - the tune just sounded lost, suitable for today in London without a sat nav

supash3 Says:

Aug 20, 2011 - this is a prisoner song. i swear.

SomethingSea1 Says:

Oct 18, 2011 - A disconcerted audience, who is watching the execution of a man, with twisted stomach feel each punch of his resignation. Their hero is lost, now to fight against them. That's what this music sounds like. We go from the first one, of a pompous ass, over-occupying the hero black and white role, to the second one, a dumbfounded and idiotic audience who do not comprehend the meaning of what is going on.The third one, the one actually used, watch?v=PhnTMxHOWlY

SomethingSea1 Says:

Oct 18, 2011 - @SomethingSea1we see a jokester devious character having one hell of a blast slyly rebelling, and with a taste of danger, too, because at any moment he could be snagged up and destroyed, and yet he isn't. So he sly's on. This best tells the story of the rebel, which is essentially what this story is about. Mocks the entire thing, and yet knows that he is bound to their actions, just as must as they are on his.

Rintin07 Says:

Dec 14, 2011 - Indeed. Although one should bear in mind that Joseph did write the title music for I, Claudius and The Great War, which are I think more memorable pieces than even The Prisoner's. The one that The Prisoner eventually used had the trashy 60s spy feel though, which helped set up its Avengers-through-a-mirror-darkly angle. Obv they should've used "Dem Bones" though. ;)

pointreyes6 Says:

Feb 22, 2012 - This fits much better than the Farnon job; just a little too over percussive. It has the right kind of claustrophobia. Also sounds abit like Shostakovich in places.

nipsu1053 Says:

Feb 27, 2012 - I think they paired this theme to an unreleased version of Chimes of Big Ben. This is a good theme but not as good as the Grainer version.. IMHO.I would like to see the POP shown at the end of Chimes That would explain the Penny Farthing symbol.

RammatRamzi Says:

Apr 3, 2012 - Thank God they rejected that theme.

00000198400000 Says:

Apr 13, 2012 - I can see why of course it wouldn't be commercially viable even though it is quite a superior piece of music. Brilliant. Conveys much more what the series was all about -something that the Grainer piece in my view does not being even merry.The first time I actually watched The Prisoner I expected something totally different after hearing the music, I quite remember this.