Ian McKellen stars in the ultimately disappointing remake of the '60s cult classic The Prison...
Credit: Wikimedia Commons | ©Wikimedia Commons
'The Prisoner', a 1967 miniseries starring the late Patrick McGoohan, has been remade for 2009, this time starring Sir Ian McKellen was Number Two and James Caviezel as Number Six. The whole is something of a disappointment.
Spoilers surely follow.
In this version of The Prisoner, Number Six awakes in the middle of the desert without much knowledge of who he is or how he got there. After running into a dying, old man, Number Six is taken to a desert community called The Village, where everyone is referred to by a number. Also Number Six is informed that The Village is all the world is. "There is no out," Number Two informs him. "There is only in."
In the original miniseries, we knew that Number Six was a spy who had resigned and was transported to The Village by an unknown organization so that the powers that be could find out why. The conflict came as Number Six refused to tell why he resigned, even though the various Number Twos throughout the show promised that, "By hook or by crook" they would find out. The original The Prisoner was about the struggle of the individual to maintain his freedom and autonomy against the ever encroaching desire of the collective to take both away.
It is not clear what the new The Prisoner is all about. Ian McKellen is deliciously smarmy as Number Two, but we're not sure what he true agenda is. James Caviezel as Number Six seems to be a puzzlement. We know, because he has dreams and visions, that Number Six lived in New York, but we're not sure what he did and why he is in The Village. There is little of the witty repartee that existed between Patrick McGoohan's Number Six and the various Number Two's he squared off again.
The new The Prisoner does retain some of the paranoia of the original. Number Six is not sure whom to trust in The Village or if he can trust anyone. Indeed, he sometimes can't trust his own perceptions as he keeps seeing things and people who are not actually there. Drugs? Or maybe madness?
Spoilers surely follow.
In this version of The Prisoner, Number Six awakes in the middle of the desert without much knowledge of who he is or how he got there. After running into a dying, old man, Number Six is taken to a desert community called The Village, where everyone is referred to by a number. Also Number Six is informed that The Village is all the world is. "There is no out," Number Two informs him. "There is only in."
In the original miniseries, we knew that Number Six was a spy who had resigned and was transported to The Village by an unknown organization so that the powers that be could find out why. The conflict came as Number Six refused to tell why he resigned, even though the various Number Twos throughout the show promised that, "By hook or by crook" they would find out. The original The Prisoner was about the struggle of the individual to maintain his freedom and autonomy against the ever encroaching desire of the collective to take both away.
It is not clear what the new The Prisoner is all about. Ian McKellen is deliciously smarmy as Number Two, but we're not sure what he true agenda is. James Caviezel as Number Six seems to be a puzzlement. We know, because he has dreams and visions, that Number Six lived in New York, but we're not sure what he did and why he is in The Village. There is little of the witty repartee that existed between Patrick McGoohan's Number Six and the various Number Two's he squared off again.
The new The Prisoner does retain some of the paranoia of the original. Number Six is not sure whom to trust in The Village or if he can trust anyone. Indeed, he sometimes can't trust his own perceptions as he keeps seeing things and people who are not actually there. Drugs? Or maybe madness?
Comments
AP
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/28/2009
Oh Lord, did I hate this. Not a remake by any means, and far below the bar set by the original. Most who enjoyed this should take a fresh look at the original. No comparison. We live in an age of Gitmo, big brother house, being photographed 60 times a day, cars that are GPS tracked with remote control and every phone call monitored. The public is monitored & manipulated every way imaginable. We are less free than ever. We are all prisoners. A HUGE opportunity was missed on social commentary of the state of Everyman in our modern world.
Tom
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/22/2009
If you're expecting a carbon copy recreation of the original, you'll be disappointed. But what's the point in doing a carbon copy?
I loved the original series. I've found the new one very enjoyable as well. Very unique modern spin on it.
Sandra
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/18/2009
I don't agree with your critique of this mini series. I am old enough to have watched the original series, and as much as I enjoyed that one, I think this version is just as good, but not a carbon copy of the original, which I think is what you were hoping for.
pcosmar
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/18/2009
I am disappointed. I was so looking forward to this remake.It had such promise, aside from the limited time. Good actors, great set, special effects. It could have been,,,,
Well it wasn't. It sold out.
He sold out.
I am disappointed, and a bit disgusted.
Chimpy
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/18/2009
"It is not clear what the new The Prisoner is all about."
"we're not sure what he true agenda is."
"James Caviezel as Number Six seems to be a puzzlement."
"we're not sure what he did and why he is in The Village."
"There are plenty of obtuse visual clues being presented in rapid succession"
"One finds oneself wondering what it all means"
Regarding the quotes above, you could be talking about the original series, which means that it's gone some way toward making you think. They must have done a good job.
Georgia
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/18/2009
Can't say I agree with the review. I really enjoyed the series.
David
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/18/2009
I suppose if you are a lousy author why not carry that inability and add failed critic to your resume.
Jason
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/17/2009
I am enjoying the miniseries. The reason for the remake is that the original was ground breaking. The new miniseries is very watchable for me and I am very much enjoying it. I appreciate the line the creators / actors have walked with honoring the old and breathing in a new perspective. Thanks to AMC for the ride.
Greg
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/17/2009
The original was not a miniseries.
aaron rayburn
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/16/2009
No-Way. The rambling of a old fuddy duddy with a opinion I just watched the pilot. And It pretty much rules. However I haven't seen the original, but a reboot for a new generation is always good.
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