IMDb 7.5 1979 HD

Prisoner

Prisoner

1979
Drama Soap
7.5 IMDB

Prisoner is an Australian soap opera that is set in the Wentworth Detention Centre, a fictional women's prison.

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Starring
Gerda Nicolson / Maggie Kirkpatrick / Janet Andrewartha / Elspeth Ballantyne / Louise Siversen / Glenda Linscott / Lois Collinder / Julia Blake

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

gritty compelling dramatic intense dated iconic powerful uneven realistic historical raw engaging

Reviews

I
Isabelle Moreau
May 28, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

The enduring appeal of 'Prisoner' lies in its potent blend of social realism and compelling character studies. The cast, a roster of Australian talent, delivers performances that are both nuanced and powerful, conveying the desperation and resilience of…

A
Arthur Davies
May 28, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

Venturing into the world of 'Prisoner' is to step back into a distinctive era of Australian television. The series tackles its subject matter with a certain boldness, driven by a capable cast who do their best to navigate…

P
Penelope Croft
May 28, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

'Prisoner' is a triumph of Australian serial drama, a gritty and unflinching examination of female incarceration. The performances are the bedrock of its success; the actresses inhabit their roles with a fierce conviction that is utterly captivating. The…

B
Barnaby Finch
May 28, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

As a foundational piece of Australian television, 'Prisoner' presents a fascinating, albeit sometimes dated, look at life behind bars. The ensemble cast, including luminaries like Gerda Nicolson and Maggie Kirkpatrick, imbues their roles with a palpable intensity. The…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 28, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This Australian institution, 'Prisoner', offers a raw and compelling glimpse into the lives within Wentworth Detention Centre. The performances are uniformly strong, with the cast navigating the often melodramatic plotlines with a commendable sense of authenticity. While the…

FAQs

'Prisoner' is celebrated for its blend of gritty realism and heightened dramatic storytelling. While it depicted the harsh realities of prison life, it also embraced the conventions of the soap opera genre, leading to often sensational plotlines and intense character interactions. This combination allowed the series to explore both the mundane struggles and the extraordinary events that could occur within the fictional Wentworth, contributing to its compelling narrative arc.