AMC's The Prisoner remake

[Rauol_Duke]

I didn't know about this until yesterday, but AMC is doing thier version of The Prisoner, staring Ian McKellen as Two and Jim Caviezel as Six and directed by Nick Hurran in a six hour miniseries.

When I first heard this, I got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach... I loved the original show! When I was a kid, I used to sneak outa bed late Sunday nights to watch the episodes on PBS. It was such a huge and incomparable mystery to a 10-year old. And I didn't want anyone doing a half-ass redux of the show I loved.

But the more I looked at the info on it, the more I think it might be not only worth a look... but it might be good, even. The cast is certainly solid. I haven't seen anything that Hurran has directed, but they say it was shot more like a movie than a series. I don't know...

Anyone have any insight, opinions or advise?

[Courtney!]

Hrm. Hurran apparently directed "Little Black Book," which does not exactly fill me with joyous optimism for the project. OTOH, Sir Ian McKellan ftw.

Thanks for pointing this out! I think the remake could be cool or could be a steaming pile, but what I'm most psyched about is the fact that they have the entire original series also online at AMC! I've only ever seen the first 6 episodes, 'cuz that's what the local video place had available on 2 venerable VHS tapes, and, y'know, not even being born in the 60s. "I am not a number - I am a human being!" Can't wait to start watching again.

[Aberzombie]

I'd heard of this awhiel back, but was somewhat indifferent - never seen the original.

Still with Sir Ian and Jimmie boy in there, it could be pretty decent - they are both top-notch actors.

[Rauol_Duke]

Aberzombie wrote:

never seen the original.

You should rectify that... I believe they have all the episodes of the old show up for viewing on AMC's site.

[Ubermench]

In the remake there isn't a village just a tent camp in the middle of a large dry lakebed.
There isn't going to be a Spot.
A foreign government who is trying to get national secrets out of #6 runs the tent camp.

It is a remake in name only, kind of like the remake of Oceans 11 with the rat pack and Oceans 11 with Cloony, and Pitt the name is the same and the plot is somewhat similar but that's about all.

[Rauol_Duke]

Ubermench wrote:

In the remake there isn't a village just a tent camp in the middle of a large dry lakebed.

There isn't going to be a Spot.
A foreign government who is trying to get national secrets out of #6 runs the tent camp.

You've seen the remake already?

[Ubermench]

AMC has photos and production diaries up at the AMC prisoner website. Also some fan sites have non-official previews of the script and sets.

[Rauol_Duke]

Perhaps I am mistaken, but in reading about the remake, I thought that the "new" Village was going to be set in the African town of Swakopmund, much like the original one was set in Portmeiron... I know there's alot of exterior shots in the desert and interior ones shot in Capetown, but I didn't get the impression that the new Village was nothing more than a tent camp in the desert.

Would you mind providing a link for the information that states otherwise? Thanks.

[houstonderek]

I can't see any way they can pull it off. The level of "weird" in the original series was organic, you can't force stuff like that without coming off as heavy handed or cheesy, imo.

Unless they're going to play it straight, in which case I ask, um, what's the point?

;)

[Xuttah]

My wife got a hold of the entire series on VHS a few years back. And for free no less! Great TV, highly recommended!

PS I gotta get some Village clothes and a PA with parade music to spook the neighbours! :D

[Krypter]

Courtney! wrote:

"I am not a number - I am a human being!" Can't wait to start watching again.

"I am not a number! I am a free man!" Subtle difference, the show was about freedom, society, control, individuality and self-imprisonment. My most favorite television series ever, but I doubt the new show will be able to replicate the surreality of Portmeirion and the steel-jawed looks of Patrick McGoohan. Good luck to 'em, though.

[Rauol_Duke]

Krypter wrote:

My most favorite television series ever, but I doubt the new show will be able to replicate the surreality of Portmeirion and the steel-jawed looks of Patrick McGoohan. Good luck to 'em, though.

The interaction between McGoohan and Leo McKern was phenomenal in the orginal series. Hopefully Caviezel and McKellen can follow suit.

[noretoc]

This is really wierd, I was just thinking about this a couple of days ago, out of the blue. I was listening to Iron Maiden, and heard Prisoner and I thought, I wonder what they could do with that today. I just saw this thread for the first time just now.. This sounds pretty cool.