Dear Patrick,

It is really difficult on this happy occasion to say something that others haven't already stated, stressed, or underlined in their messages. Nevertheless, I'll try!

It seems to me that the best thing I could do to thank you, Patrick, is to share with you my memories, as an Italian "spectator", of when I first became acquainted with your serial (we call it "telefilm", down here!) in my teens in the 70�s.

I was at school then, and in the afternoons, after doing my homework, I usually spent a couple of hours in front of the television.

One fortunate afternoon I was lucky enough to listen carefully to the announcements of the scheduled programmes, and I was intrigued by the Italian title, which of course sounds perfectly in line with the English one, that is Il Prigioniero.

I was intrigued, because I kept wondering how a telefilm about a prisoner, who usually cannot move around, could be of any interest.

And I kept watching that fascinating first episode (yes, I was so lucky to catch the very first episode, and not just one of the following!), and wondered how this nameless person, that is you, could succeed in beating his enemies. From Arrivo al villaggio I therefore went on.

In those days we had to wait weekly to see the following episode, which only added to the charm of the serial and to our discussion about its possible meaning. Yes, that's right, my brother and I spread The Prisoner �flu� amongst our friends, and probably we started the first "unofficial" list or "watching group", concepts which didn't exist in those days.

And, as we all went along, the serial, your face, your determination, and your British humour in dealing with the wardens (and those nasty-nice No. Twos!) became our allies and made us realise that one has always to insist and to go on if one wants to succeed eventually.

I remember a sort of scorn after the episode Le Elezioni, and a deep delusion after the dreamlike, allegoric and wide-open-to-interpretations Ritorno a Casa (I am not so sure it was not entitled Partenza, instead - they have changed the titles a couple of times, in all these years!)

Some of us developed a mild indifference, but the core of our group was on your side, and in our ingenuousness we kept waiting for the sequels, which never came.

And rightly so!

This atmosphere of Beckett�s Theatre of the Absurd, waiting for a Godot who never came, added even more to the fascination of the programme.

It is the modernity of the sometimes meaningless suffering of your character, Patrick that made it possible for us to feel so akin to him, and at the same time to find him so sympathetic and so loveable.

To perceive him as more than one of us.

To know that he was (and is) ourselves.

I have seen The Prisoner dozens of time in English by now, but I can't forget that very first time, with you speaking the Italian language, protesting like Don Quixote against the windmills.

And after that I kept on looking for all your movies and programmes.

I am a fan of Lt. Columbo as well, and I am delighted that you collaborated so much with him. Because Peter, like you, is another worthy and nice person, who brings light with his acting to a monotonous movie world.

And you are a deeply meaningful actor, capable of conveying strong emotions and everlasting feelings with your acting.

As Hamlet says to the First Player, you "suit the action to the word, the word to the action; with this special o'erstep not the modesty of nature: for any thing so overdone is from the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the first and now, was and is, to hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to nature; to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure."

Thank you, Patrick! Thank you exactly for this reason: you give to the very age and body of the time his form and pressure. The troubled times we have lived in the last part of the 20th century (and in which we are still living) indeed necessitated a voice like yours.

Happy birthday and a marvellous future, old chap!

- Mario Faraone, Italy

Dear Mr. McGoohan,

The Prisoner has been an inspiring show for me ever since I discovered it about three years ago, recommended to me by a friend. Despite growing up with �80s and �90s television series, The Prisoner, its themes and the conviction with which it was brought still very much appeal to me.

Since The Prisoner, I've become very interested in your (other) work and discovered a lot about it. So many, many thanks for your unique contributions to movie, television and theatre. I hope you will have a wonderful birthday!

Kind regards,

- Vincent, Netherlands

Many congratulations on your birthday, I am sure you will not need a reminder of which one it is!!

I would to pass on my thanks for producing a television program that is every bit as relevant now as it was when you made it; that cannot be said about many items now seen on television.

Through my interest in The Prisoner I discovered Portmeirion; even though I really cannot afford it, I always make provision for an annual overnight stay in Portmeirion, a magical place that I am drawn back to at regular intervals.

Have a great day and please accept a double thank you for The Prisoner and Portmeirion.

Best wishes from

- Christine & Arthur Jacks, England

Best wishes and many thanks for all your great work over the years, especially, my favourite, The Prisoner - it's given me lots of pleasure and entertainment, and stimulated my brain more than probably any other TV show ever (and I've watched quite a few challenging ones!).

- Cat Phipps, UK

Dear Mr. McGoohan,

Happy birthday!

My husband and I traveled from the United States and spent a very special wedding anniversary at Portmeirion in Upper Trinity in 2001.

Thank you so much for using Portmeirion as a location for The Prisoner. We would not have known about it if you had not done so.

It added magic to our special celebration.

Best Regards,

- Ronda F., US

Mr McGoohan, you are an excellent actor and thinker. You are able to act as hero or villain superbly. You add wonderful little touches to everything you do. The Prisoner has changed my life. I now approach many situations differently. I told a "friend" of mine about The Prisoner and I believe it has changed his life also. Sometimes it is hard not to be a Prisoner of The Prisoner. I visited Portmeirion this summer and had a wonderful trip, partial credit goes to you. From one Christian and individual to another,

Happy Birthday!

- Matthew Moore, US

Dear Mr McGoohan,

Please permit me to express my very best wishes to you on your 75th birthday.

I am very pleased to have been among those who have benefited from your work, not the least being the thought-provoking series The Prisoner, which is every bit as relevant today in terms of the issues it discusses as when first broadcast.

I wish you the very best in the years to come.

Sincerely,

- K. G. F., Canada