Five Characters in Search of an Exit

The plot synopsis sounds as if it might be the beginning of a joke, but instead it's the start of one of the most gripping and intensely claustrophobic tales of the third season of "The Twilight Zone". Before I even pressed play, the episode was already a contender for a price, namely the installment with the coolest title of Rod Serling's phenomenal TV-show (though on par with "The Four of us are Dying" and "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street"), but it's much more. It's one of those entries that fully clarify why "The Twilight Zone" is currently ranked #20 in the greatest TV-series of all times (here on IMDb). Suspense and mystery from start to finish, intriguing characters, passionate performances and ditto direction, an open invitation to the viewer to guess for the denouement and a sardonic twist at the end.

A great episode, the storyline was captivating and the twist ending was eerie and kind of creepy, but most definitely unexpected. Characters were well acted.

While researching Susan Harrison (The Ballerina) in reference to a Bonanza Episode, I was reminded of this gem.

This episode is the inspiration for Dylan's "All Along the Watch Tower" (Hendrix's cover is probably as well know and is one of his best) which is one of HIS best.

Thus this episode is responsible for several 'bests' - not bad for approximately 22 minutes of television.

But this is "The Twilight Zone". Further comment of the series is unnecessary.

'5 Characters' is typical Serling. Intense, dramatic, barreling toward an end that is as inevitable in hindsight as it is surprising the first time you see it.

This episode is spoiled in one sentence and is too good to spoil for any who have not seen it.

But you will feel ambushed. And you will never listen to Hendrix with the same ears again.

Five people - an Army Major, a ballet dancer, a clown, a hobo and a bagpiper - find themselves locked in an unknown place. They don't know their names or how they got there. They are determined to escape.

Very clever episode of The Twilight Zone. Set up very well - the mystery, the intrigue, the lack of characters' backstories or even names. Plot develops well and the conclusion is both unpredictable and wonderfully sentimental.

Excellent episode.

William Windom(The Major), Murray Matheson(The Clown), Susan Harrison(The Ballerina), Kelton Garwood(The Tramp), and Clark Allen(The Bagpipe Player) play the five title characters, who find themselves prisoners in a vast cylindrical object with no way out but straight up, and no idea how they got there, or indeed who they are. The Major becomes the driving force in their effort to escape by forming a human ladder, and manages to get over the top with an unexpected outcome... Well remembered episode is really an existentialist play that still holds up marvelously today, with what must have been a stunning surprise ending that still packs a punch...if it hasn't been spoiled beforehand of course!