Remake: The Prisoner

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Blackloliita

Knowledge is power
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Ok, so I recently got into this miniseries Jane Eyre, and especially the actress who played Jane Eyre: Ruth Wilson. I saw through her Imdb that she'd play in this series called "The Prisoner", never heard of but I did a bit research. Coming to the conclusion it's a remake of a quite famous British series from the '60 (so before my time 😉). Anyway...

The Prisoner is a 17-episode British television series broadcast in the UK from 29 September 1967 to 1 February 1968. Starring and co-created by Patrick McGoohan, it combined spy fiction with elements of science fiction, allegory, and psychological drama.

The series follows a British former secret agent who is held prisoner in a mysterious seaside village where his captors try to find out why he abruptly resigned from his job. Although sold as a thriller in the mould of McGoohan's previous series, Danger Man (called Secret Agent in its U.S. release), the show's combination of 1960s countercultural themes and surreal setting had a far-reaching effect on science fiction/fantasy programming, and on popular culture in general.

Source: wikipedia
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The new one will star Sir Ian McKellen as Number Two. James Caviezel as Number Six and other roles including Ruth Wilson (! 😉) as Number 13.

Here's a 9 min. preview (imo, it looks very nice): http://www.aceshowbiz.com/video/download/00009281/
And the wikipage of the new one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prisoner_(2009_TV_miniseries)

So... any opinions about this from people who might have seen it?
 
M
Miss Universe
LAURAH (L)
I've never had a chance to see it (but always wanted to, ever since I've read about it) - sadly, the last time it aired on our TV was literally decades ago, I'm not sure if it was when I was in diapers or not even born! So, even if I'm certain fans of the original will likely have fits about it (which is always the case, especially with cult classics 😉 ) I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing at least the remake some time soon!
 
There's no reason on earth to remake that series... the original had a very specific feel and atmosphere that was very important to its success, and I don't see anyone re-creating that.

That's a good cast, but I'm sticking with the original.

I'll repeat my usual chorus: It's time for Hollywood to stop re-making and start making. A culture can't survive on re-runs alone.
 
I happen to like plenty of remakes. Some things shouldn't be remade, but lots of things, does it really matter? If they're done right they can be just as good, and can be updated with more modern or local (if its foreign) sensibilities. Often times I'm a fan of both an original AND remake, I love both versions of The Amityville Horror and The Omen, for instance. I like both versions of The Ring. In the case of The Grudge, I enjoy the remake and hate the original.

I think this new version of The Prisoner looks AMAZING and very well-done. AMC has already produced two excellent series, Mad Men and Breaking Bad, and I think I'll love this one more. I think the original is OK, but I never found it that amazing, and I honestly think I might end up enjoying this one more.
 
I remember the series, though I never managed to see all of it. I do remember that the finale was even more mysterious than the rest of the series. It will be interesting to see how the new version turns out.
 
AndrewCrossett said:
I'll repeat my usual chorus: It's time for Hollywood to stop re-making and start making. A culture can't survive on re-runs alone.
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And it's sorely out-of-tune.

You do know that Hollywood has been doing remakes from the beginning of film history. Right?
You think "remake" is something new?
Have you studied film at all?
I'm gonna bet the sure thing that there is a virtual slew of movies you think are originals but are remakes.
 
Superstar said:
And it's sorely out-of-tune.


I'm gonna bet the sure thing that there is a virtual slew of movies you think are originals but are remakes.
Click to expand...

I think that it was Mark Twain (but maybe someone else) who once said that there aro only about half a dozen original plots, and after that, everything else is just shuffling minor details around.
 
Superstar said:
And it's sorely out-of-tune.

You do know that Hollywood has been doing remakes from the beginning of film history. Right?
You think "remake" is something new?
Have you studied film at all?
I'm gonna bet the sure thing that there is a virtual slew of movies you think are originals but are remakes.
Click to expand...

Try leaving the insulting attitude at home next time, pal.

And don't "bet the sure thing" on people you've never met and know nothing about.

I'm quite familiar with film history, and I know perfectly well that there have NEVER been nearly as many remakes as there have been in recent years. To the point that Hollywood now relies almost exclusively on them.

We are creating almost nothing new.

I guess all the stories have been told. Too bad.
 
M
Miss Universe
[No message]
AndrewCrossett said:
Try leaving the insulting attitude at home next time, pal.
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Ain't insulting, but I can be.
Oh, and I ain't yer pal.

And don't "bet the sure thing" on people you've never met and know nothing about.
Click to expand...
Don't need to. Mindless and feeble parroted rhetoric is all I need to know and address.
Like the following for example:
"I'm quite familiar with film history, and I know perfectly well that there have NEVER been nearly as many remakes as there have been in recent years. To the point that Hollywood now relies almost exclusively on them. We are creating almost nothing new."
 
OK - let's keep it nice and friendly here and get back on topic, fellas. There has been more than enough drama of late. This is an interesting thread and I wouldn't want to have to close it but I will if it degenerates into another snipe-fest.

Back to The Prisoner...I loved the original when I was a kid, even though I didn't necessarily understand it. I loved it again when I watched the repeat showing and understood it a little more...and I loved it even more when I bounced across the beach at Portmeirion, pretending to be a Rover (Pointy was nearly 30!)...and I've loved all the references to it that some of my favourite programme makers continue to use (Simpsons, BSG, Buffy, Babylon 5 to name but four of many)
As for the remake...I'm hoping it's in the Battlestar Galactica school of remake rather than the Psycho school...I'll almost certainly watch it.
 
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