The Prisoner

A revered religious leader who endures Nazi oppression and now faces a new regime’s pressure to confess to treason. He is humble, principled, and wary of falsehood, yet increasingly destabilized by deliberate psychological tactics. His moral struggle centers on staying true to his beliefs while navigating a system that uses him as a symbol.

A former resistance ally turned loyal state agent who believes in the righteousness of the regime. He employs sleep deprivation, manipulation, and selective 'evidence' to undermine the cardinal’s certainty. His tactics reveal how power can masquerade as justice when morality is compromised.

A lowly prison handler who becomes a conduit for the daily human toll of the system. He observes the cardinal’s defiance and engages in quiet, morally aware interactions during the routine of confinement. His presence grounds the human cost of political plays.

A young prison guard entangled in a romantic subplot, who represents ordinary people caught in the machinery of oppression. He dreams of leaving the country to be with his love, highlighting personal stakes amid political upheaval. His idealism clashes with the regime’s fear-driven tactics.

A married woman who becomes part of the romantic tension, longing to escape with her lover to join her husband who has left the country. She embodies the human cost of political bans and the desire for personal freedom. Her presence adds a tender counterpoint to the grim judicial drama.

A government official aiding the show trial and the state's narrative. He is a procedural presence who helps steer the interrogation process and enforces the regime’s official line. His role illustrates bureaucratic complicity in political repression.

A high-ranking official overseeing the administrative and judicial machinery of the regime. He embodies the political authority that presses for a public confession and legitimizes coercive tactics. His involvement signals the broader scope of state control beyond the prison walls.

A military figure tied to the regime’s power structure, representing the intersection of military discipline and political control. He helps frame the show's atmosphere of surveillance and coercive authority. His presence underscores the regime’s reliance on authoritative force.

A medical figure who appears within the orbit of the prison’s machinery, contributing to scenes of care and observation. His role reflects how expertise can be harnessed to support the state’s interrogation environment. He also serves as a quiet witness to the cardinal’s suffering.