Five Characters in Search of an Exit

Episode aired Dec 22, 1961
TV-PG
25m

IMDb RATING

8.5/10

4.2K

YOUR RATING

Kelton Garwood, Susan Harrison, Murray Matheson, and Clark Allen in The Twilight Zone (1959)

Drama Fantasy Horror Mystery Sci-Fi Thriller

An Army major awakens in a small room with no idea of who he is or how he got there. He finds four other people in the same room, and they all begin to question how they each arrived there, ... Read allAn Army major awakens in a small room with no idea of who he is or how he got there. He finds four other people in the same room, and they all begin to question how they each arrived there, and more importantly, how to escape.An Army major awakens in a small room with no idea of who he is or how he got there. He finds four other people in the same room, and they all begin to question how they each arrived there, and more importantly, how to escape.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.5/10

4.2K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
The title "Five Characters in Search of an Exit" combines those of the play by Italian writer Luigi Pirandello: "Six Characters in Search of an Author," and the play by French writer Jean-Paul Sartre: No Exit.

Goofs
The second time they attempt to stack on top of each other and escape, just before the Major is able to put his fingers over the edge of the wall, you can see a safety line attached to him from below.

Quotes
The Clown: [of the Major] Very active chap. Quite a function. Compulsive worker.
The Major: [still tapping the wall] You a big-time psychologist, huh?
The Clown: I'm a clown. Which is neither here, there, nor anyplace. I could be a certified public accountant, a financier, a left-handed pitcher who throws only curves. What difference does it make?
[singing to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne" while the Major pounds the wall]
The Clown: We're here, because we're here, because we're here...
[breaks off as the Major turns to stare at him, then brokenly starts up again as he resumes hammering]
The Clown: Because - we're - here.

Connections
Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Best Twilight Zone Episodes (2016)

Soundtracks
Twilight Zone Theme
(theme song)
Composed by Marius Constant
(seasons 2-5)

User reviews41

Featured review

10/10

One of the best episodes

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.