Prisoner packed a punch when it premiered in 1979. Set in the fictional suburb of Wentworth, the female-centred prison drama reverberated around the world, spawning international adaptations and a massive cult following. Almost 30 years after it left the airwaves, Prisoner was rebooted in 2013 as Wentworth and updated to reflect contemporary culture.
Wentworth has also been adapted internationally, but its impact on the local industry is just as important as its global reach, providing countless opportunities for women on both sides of the camera. It also explores complex female-focused themes including institutionalised power, female transgression and violence, motherhood and LGBTQIA+ sexuality.
Curator Notes
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia has a huge selection of Prisoner interviews, articles and videos available to view on their website, including behind-the-scenes photos and even info and clips from the male version, Punishment.
A vintage documentary on Prisoner, featuring the cast and highlights from the show. Video via the oztvheritage YouTube channel.
Related works
Collection
Not in ACMI's collection
On display until
15 June 2030
ACMI: Gallery 1
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
Curatorial section
The Story of the Moving Image → Moving Australia → MA-10. Ahead of their time → MA-10-C01