I knew it was coming and I plan to give it a chance...  but honestly I feel like the original Patrick McGoohan series should be left alone.  It was iconic and it was completely McGoohan's show, from creation to writing to the starring role.

I don't like the idea of an American actor playing Number Six.  I remember at one time (I assume before AMC became involved) that Chris Eccleston was considered the frontrunner for the role and rumor had it that was why he quit Doctor Who after only one series.  I assume it was American Movie Classics' idea to change the character to an American?

Also, I notice Ian McKellen will be playing Number Two for all six episodes, unlike the original, which had a different Number Two in each episode (including one episode in which Number Six is elected Number Two!)

I wonder what they will do with the opening?  Will it pay homage to the memorable opening of the original?  They obviously can't do the original word-for-word with the line "I am the new Number Two".

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Darn, I don't remember the opening! I'll see if I can find it online. But I'm sure it'll all come back to me. Something really drew me in to that show, even though it was more my brother's thing than mine, and I'm thinking the creepy opening was probably it. Wow, I think Eccleston would have been a great choice too; I'll bet he got a better offer though, or wanted too much money, and that's why they changed. Yeah, the main guy really needs to be British - I wonder if Mr. Caviezel can manage an accent? -Spell

From what I've read, they are changing the character to an American, not just casting an American to play a Brit. A couple other things that cause me some misgivings about the new series are that 1) Caviezel said in an interview that he has never seen the original series and 2) AMC has hinted that in this version all will be revealed about The Village and 'Six' (as he will apparently be addressed), eliminating most of the mystery and ambiguity that were so essential to the original series. eom. --Dipstick

Spell, here is the dialogue from the original opening to The Prisoner. (inside)

Cool - thanks, dip! I'll be sure it keep it handy, and check how close the new one is to the O. But, based on what you've said, I sure won't count on anything. It just better be GOOD! -Spell

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Posted by: Signy
Date posted: Tue Nov 3 15:39:18 2009
Message:
I'm glad you reminded me.  I knew it was coming, but I didn't know just when.  I enjoyed the original.  I'm sure this will be quite different, but I'm hoping it will still be good.  Hope they still have the big ball that comes out of the water to chase you down when you try to escape!

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They WILL have the 'rover' back. One can be seen behind Number Six on the promo poster.

Yippee! Best character ever. -Spell

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Posted by: Regina
Date posted: Tue Nov 3 13:43:54 2009
Message:

I can't wait!  I too saw the long promo and it looks really, really good.  Not everyone's taste though.  I hope it will draw in some of the Mad Men viewers who should be demanding better TV.

BTW, there was a computer game of The Prisoner back in the 80s.  I used to play it on my TRS80 or Apple IIc.  It was a low res graphic game where you moved your little dot from place to place.  You were the prisoner and you had to escape the village.  There was only one way out.  You were assigned your number and you lost the game if you revealed your number.  I used to play that game for hours.  I really got lost in it and would finally give up my number just to end it.  I still think it is the greatest computer game ever, even after all these years.

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Did it have the huge white balloon that could suffocate you, too?? I think that was my favorite special effect on the old series! As far as the appeal to a lot of people, I think Ian McKellen being on board is AWESOME; he's both popular from playing the wise man in the movie series - the name of which has slipped my mind, but what else is new - and is revered in the acting community. He's been knighted, right? A longtime Shakesperian actor, I think. And Jim Cavieziel's not chopped liver either. -Spell

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Posted by: Elliott
Date posted: Tue Nov 3 9:56:44 2009
Message:

I'm planning to watch it. The original was on PBS (I think) when I was young. I never got into it. Too dry or something for a 10 year old. I'm hoping this new series is good.

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Oh wow, you're right - couldn't remember what channel/network it was on, but now I remember that there were NO ads (so nice, though it did only last 50 mins. I think?) and was on our local PBS channel. Which never gets much of a following on anything, besides maybe Masterpiece Theatre (the old one), but I do recall what a cult favorite it became. -Spell

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