S3.E14

Five Characters in Search of an Exit

Episode aired Dec 22, 1961
TV-PG
25m

IMDb RATING

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

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

Review

Featured review

10/10

One of the best Twilight Zone episodes!

This episode beautifully showcases the bizarre magic of The Twilight Zone. The title describes its story very well and straightforwardly; 5 random different people find themselves in a room or enclosure of some kind, with no doors or windows. None of them know where exactly they are or why they're there, so they try to figure out how to escape.

One of the aspects I especially liked about 'Five Characters in Search of an Exit' is that it could very easily be done as a stage play. It is very acting-driven and does not rely on visual effects. It also features great performances from each of the 5 main players.

I will not spoil the plot twist, but this story has a reputation for belting viewers with a complete shocker. The first time I watched this episode, it seemed to come out of nowhere. Absolutely worth a watch!