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AMC Releasing a New "The Prisoner" In November
DynaSoar writes "The Prisoner is one of the most influential and enduring TV shows to have appeared during the 1960s. This single-season (1967-68), 17-episode series, starring its co-writing, co-directing executive producer Patrick McGoohan, maintains a steady fan base and gains more with each syndication re-release. For over 40 years there have been announced intentions and projects to resurrect this surreal psychodrama combining science fiction, allegory, and spy thriller in a new series or movie (but always without McGoohan, who adamantly refused, saying 'he'd done it'). Finally, since December 2008 a remake has been in the can. In November 2009, AMC will begin airing an original six-part mini-series of The Prisoner starring James Caviezal as the spy who resigns only to find himself abducted and transported to 'The Village,' where he is renamed (or rather renumbered) Number Six, and where the minds behind his incarceration attempt to pry and/or trick secrets from his brain. Chief among those minds is the visible face of the administration, Number Two, played by Ian McKellen. Unlike the original, with a new Number Two in each episode, McKellen appears throughout. To promote the upcoming release, AMC is presenting (along with a ton of 'additional material') the entire original 17 episodes, free for the streaming."
Something small and quiet just died...
"Speaking the Truth in times of universal deceit is a revolutionary act." -- George Orwell
From the comic pdf, it looks like they've completely missed the original point.
He had resigned because ... that is never stated ... and then he is kidnapped but he doesn't know which side kidnapped him.
The guards didn't use guns. Aside from Rover, it was purely psychological. Even the times he escaped, he was betrayed by people he thought he could trust who turned out to be working for The Village.
Psychological. That's the key.
I can't imagine what it must be like to work on a production like this. The actors, the writers, the directors... everybody. Imagine knowing, every day you go in to work, that you're working on inane, pointless crap that's nothing more than the result of an endless negotiation between lawyers for the sake of earning a few bucks. Imagine knowing that out there, somewhere, is a truly classic work of art that you had absolutely nothing to do with. Knowing that somewhere inside you there might be a person who's just as intelligent and creative as Patrick McGoohan, but instead you're stuck making some senseless drivel that borrows the name of his vision. What a horrible, sad, soulless existence that must be. Truly, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
Breakfast served all day!
Are you one of those rounders I keep hearing about? Listen, we know the world is flat, quit trying to tell us it isn't. You act like we could travel around the world by traveling in one direction forever or something.
Yet another regurg of something that was once original and worthwhile. Am i really supposed to believe they're doing this for some other reason than to milk some of their 'property' until it's dry ? Give me back my culture already.
If all else fails, immortality can always be assured by spectacular error.
... "Knock-off Nigel" buying knock-off DVDs, they're busily pumping out knock-offs and "remakes" and "sequels" of stuff from the 1960s?
Dear film producers,
I will start buying DVDs again when you start producing original content. No, adding an Audi R8 and some explosions doesn't count as original.
If "Number Two" is the usual euphemism for a shit, then possibly so. Aside from personal dislike for casting Ian McKellan in everything, there are so many things that can go wrong here, it'll be a miracle if it's anywhere near as good as the original series. Heaven help us if they try to dumb it down or make it more accessible. A lot of remakes are really worthwhile (okay, some remakes) bringing it up to date for a modern audience and shaving off some of the things that would alienate people today (wobbly sets or very bad special effects) or doing away with some of the limitations that had to be bourne in the old days (such as some prudish attitudes). But The Prisoner doesn't fall into any of those categories as far as I can see. It's also a shame that Number 2 is the same every episode as the way he changed sometimes illustrated the lack of personal importance. Number 2 was an identity that, if a particular person were performing it badly as happened, could mysteriously be replaced by someone else. Individuality didn't matter - continuity did.
It's quite possible to do a good remake of The Prisoner. It's even possible to do a good remake of The Prisoner that is different to the original. I will try to assess the new version on its own merits. But I see two big reasons why it probably wont be. The first and biggest is that the modern entertainment industry usually gets greedy and aims for every demographic at once. People with tastes on the ends of the bell curve, usually suffer. The Prisoner appealed to a surprisingly large number of people given how esoteric it was, but it was nonetheless clearly not trying to be all things to all people. From what I read, it was a struggle to get it approved and made even then. I can well see it being watered down and modified to try and bring in a lot of people who wouldn't be expected to like it otherwise. And when that happens, you tend to get a muddle that fails to completely please anyone. To put it more graphically, some people like chocolate, some people like cheese, some people enjoy both, but nobody likes cheese in their chocolate.
The second reason is that I doubt the remakers will have the balls to finish the series with Patrick McGoohan's grand fuck you to understanding that made the finale so appealing to me.
Anyway, that was quite a rant, but I (along with a lot of others) really like the original and it's still out there for anyone who wants to see it. It seems a little off to me that the moment Patrick McGoohan passes away, they start remaking the series. Still, makes circle around one eye with thumb and forefinger, be seeing you.
Aide-toi, le Ciel t'aidera - Jeanne D'Arc.
Why am I reminded of Teletubbies? And why does that scare the @#$% out of me?
Which might just put you in the OP's category of "people who don't care about the remake". I mean, if you think about it. ;)
Aide-toi, le Ciel t'aidera - Jeanne D'Arc.
That's what people said in 1987, 1988, and 1989 about Star Trek TNG, but it did eventually prove itself to be just as good as the original (and often times better like season 4). TNG eventually scored 12% of the American audience, equal to how many had watched the original in the 60s.
TNG wasn't better than TOS. You are making the foolish mistake of equating quality with popularity. They are totally unrelated.
You have pointed out a good example of what can go wrong with this. They could spend way too much on effects, develop unlikable characters, then hire mediocre actors to play them.