The Prisoner. Is it Important

[Locutus]

More trivia:

According to IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090605/trivia

#In the film "Aliens"


# The sound-effect used for doors opening and closing used throughout the movie is identical to the sound-effect used for the "automatic doors" in "The Prisoner" (1967).

# The sound-effect of the video-phone "ring" when Ripley contacts Burke early on in the film is the same as that used for the Village telephones in "The Prisoner" (1967).

[Meds]

what a great match, good finding locutus. More trivia to come

[Meds]

THE PRISONER REMAKE

After years in the world of will they won't they it appears The Prisoner IS to be remade. This is a article from The Daily Post a newspaper in North Wales.


Prisoner TV series re-make planned

Apr 28 2008 by Eryl Crump, Daily Post

ITV has confirmed it is working on a re-make of cult TV classic The Prisoner, which was filmed 40 years ago at Portmeirion.

A spokesman for the channel told the Daily Post that filming would take place in late summer to early autumn.

While no locations have been ruled in or ruled out it is likely that Portmeirion, the Italianate village near Porthmadog, will be one of the main sites.

Patrick McGoohan, who starred in the original series filmed in 1968, is expected to make a cameo appearance.

An ITV spokesman said: "It's not so much a second series – we are in development for remaking or re-versioning The Prisoner, that's true.

"No casting has been confirmed so the names that have been mentioned are pure speculation. Also the suggestion we're already filming scenes in Libya is untrue. We haven't worked out where we're going to be filming it at this stage."

Portmortmeirion Village managing director Robin Llywelyn welcomed news of the remake.

"We have heard about a Prisoner remake off and on for the past 10 or 12 years but nothing has come of it to date. In 1997 things seemed to be progressing and we had some correspondence with Mr McGoohan about a Hollywood blockbuster.

"Two years ago there was again speculation that Sky TV was working on a remake, but this again came to nothing. This time however it does sound more positive.

"The Prisoner is an important part of Portmeirion's heritage and we are proud to be associated with the series."


According to BBC's Radio 2 entertainment show today it is also reported that Dr Who actor Christopher Eccleston could be playing the role, stangely though it has also been reported that US actor Jim Caviezel could also be in the title role, and that filming is already underway in Libya,. Two years ago the same reports came out and the series was to be made by Sky One and Granada, it is not known if this is solely a ITV production or a joint adventure with another company.

[Locutus]

I just wonder what the point of remaking this show is.

[Meds]

That has come across my mind do many times, but if it brings new fans to the show hopefully they will go out and see the original. It's only like when TNG came out. My main concern is that they will never be able to get that futuristic, but realistic feel to it. In the original you had CCTV, mobile phones, etc now that's all standard so how can the new village have that strange weird feel to it.

[Meds]

Remake back on.

Here is the official press report regarding The Prisoner Remake.

JIM CAVIEZEL AND IAN MCKELLEN TO STAR IN AMC'S REINTERPRETATION OF CULT CLASSIC, THE PRISONER

Six-Part Mini-Series Set to Premiere in 2009

New Series Furthers AMC's Cinematic Approach to Creating High-Quality Original Programming

New York, NY June 30, 2008 AMC, the network defining The Future of Classic, announced today that acclaimed film actors Jim Caviezel (Passion of the Christ, The Thin Red Line) and Ian McKellen (Lord of the Rings, The Da Vinci Code) have signed on to star in the network's reinterpretation of the highly influential 1960's cult classic, The Prisoner. AMC is co-producing the six-part mini-series with ITV Productions and Granada International, with a worldwide premiere slated for 2009. The Prisoner, AMC's second original mini-series, combines a wide range of genres, including espionage, thriller and Sci-Fi, into a unique and compelling drama, and expands upon the network's distinctive cinematic approach to creating high-quality programming.

Caviezel will play the title role of "Number Six," a part that was originally made famous when played by Patrick McGoohan. McGoohan also served as the creator, producer, writer and director of the 1960's series, which has become widely regarded as one of the most famous and intriguing cult TV series ever created, permanently altering the scope of the fantasy genre. Two-time Oscar nominee Ian McKellen will co-star playing the role of "Number Two."

"Jim Caviezel and Ian McKellen bring an incredible level of talent to the project, and we're honored they are taking on these important roles. We look forward to this production revitalizing a classic and bringing Patrick McGoohan's brilliant and captivating story to an entirely new generation of viewers," stated Charlie Collier, AMC's general manager and executive vice president. "The caliber of Hollywood talent AMC is attracting further validates our programming vision and our successful strategy of producing quality cinematic originals that stand alongside our library of iconic movies."

"For those of us who were watching grown-up TV in the 60s, The Prisoner was dangerous, exciting and challenging TV. For those of us who were too young to stay up to watch the series, it casts a long shadow. You don't embark on something this iconic without the best team around to do it justice for a whole new era. With Bill Gallagher as writer, Trevor Hopkins as Producer, Michele Buck, Damien Timmer and Rebecca Keane as the UK Execs, AMC as production partners, ITV as UK Commissioners, and Jim Caviezel and Ian McKellen leading the cast, we have that team on board. I can't wait," said John Whiston, Director of ITV Productions.

"Bill Gallagher's new version of The Prisoner is an enthralling commentary on modern culture. It is witty, intelligent and disturbing. I am very excited to be involved," said Ian McKellen.

While the original series, which debuted in 1967, was a riff on Cold War politics, AMC's reinterpretation will reflect 21st Century concerns and anxieties, such as liberty, security, and surveillance, yet also showcase the same key elements of paranoia, tense action and socio-political commentary seen in McGoohan's enigmatic original.

"The Prisoner spawned an enormous group of zealous fans who thrived on each week's psychological twists and turns. AMC's version brings The Prisoner back to primetime, and we're tempted to discuss more details, but in the spirit of the series, what you DO know, may hurt you," said Christina Wayne, SVP of scripted original programming.

Jim Caviezel first received critical recognition for his role as idealist Private Witt in The Thin Red Line. The following year, he gained further recognition with roles in Ride with the Devil and Frequency. His roles as Jennifer Lopez's love interest in Angel Eyes followed by his work in The Count of Monte Cristo helped to establish him as a versatile actor and leading man. Caviezel was then chosen by Mel Gibson to star as Jesus Christ in the film The Passion of the Christ. The film went on to become one of the highest grossing movies of all-time and made Jim a household-name. Most recently Caviezel played against type when he co-starred opposite Denzel Washington in the thriller Dj vu.

Ian McKellen is one of the world's foremost stage and screen actors and has been honoured with more than 40 International awards. Most recently, he received critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of "Gandalf" in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy. McKellen's work has spanned genres from Shakespearean and modern theatre to fantasy and sci-fi, with other major film credits including Gods and Monsters, X-Men, Richard III and The Da Vinci Code.

The Prisoner mini-series is a co-production of AMC and ITV Productions; the deal was brokered by Granada International, which holds international distribution rights. Bill Gallagher (Conviction, Clocking Off, Lark Rise To Candleford) serves as writer and executive producer, along with Michele Buck, Damien Timmer, Rebecca Keane, and AMC's Charlie Collier, Christina Wayne and Vlad Wolynetz. It is produced by Trevor Hopkins (Dracula, Poirot), and directed by Jon Jones (Northanger Abbey, Cold Feet). Jim Caviezel's deal was coordinated by ICM. Creative Artists Agency orchestrated the deal on behalf of Ian McKellen.

Looks pretty good and all go.

[Rico]

Wow!  Sounds very promising.  They have some great talent at least going for into it.

[Meds]

Its all sounding great here's another article from MTV news.

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/07/14/exclusive-hayley-atwell-takes-number-joins-prisoner-remake/

I really can't wait for this to come out.

[Meds]

More remake news from the official Prisoner fan club page Six of One.

    SIR IAN McKELLEN  (plays No. 2)

Born 25th May, 1939, Burnley, then moved to Wigan. Amateur school productions developed his passion for theatre. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in 1961, and began began working in theatre over the next few years. His stage and screen appearances cover many years and the list is both long and varied, along with chat show interviews and even soap roles. A knighthood came in 1990. The Lord of the Rings films, X-Men, The Da Vinci Code and the excellently creepy doctor role in Asylum, have given the actor wide recognition amongst new moviegoers. Awards have been plentiful, his comedic side entertaining and his candour endearing. Detailed biographies are online, including IMDB and Wikipedia.

    JIM CAVIEZEL  (plays No. 6)

A year after The Prisoner premiered on British TV, one James Patrick (good name) Caviezel was born, on 26th September, 1968, at Mount Vernon, Washington. Sharing Patrick McGoohan's height, at 6' 2", Caviezel had other similarities with the first actor to play Number Six. He was one of five children, in a close knit Catholic family. Comparisons continue: Caviezel was labelled "intense" in his younger years. Sporty and religious, his pursuits included basketball and church. A foot injury ended any basketball career and he turned to acting. In 1990, he auditioned for My Own Private Idaho and gained a small part.

Next year Caviezel relocated to Los Angeles, working as a waiter (as McGoohan had done 40 years earlier) between auditions. Gradually he was given several screen roles. Critical acclaim came with his portrayal of Private Witt in Terrence Malick's The Thin Red Line (1998). The following year, he enjoyed more recognition with Ride with the Devil (1999) and Frequency (2000). In 2001, he played opposite Jennifer Lopez (reportedly chosen by her) in Angel Eyes (2001), by now being established as a versatile actor and even a leading man.

Mirroring McGoohan's moral constraints, while filming High Crimes (2002), Caviezel refused to do love scenes, which might involve nudity, as they conflicted with his personal beliefs and Catholic faith. Soon he was selected by Mel Gibson to star as Jesus in The Passion of the Christ (2004). The movie made world-wide headlines, breaking box-office records. Caviezel's performance was applauded by both critics and cinema goers. Married for over a decade, the Caviezels have an adopted son.

Now chosen to play Number Six in the remake - or should that be reinterpretation - of The Prisoner, Caviezel is the age McGoohan was when he donned the piped blazer 'in The Village'. No facial similarity, but maybe the intensity, beliefs and background will hold for neo-Prisoner viewers and McGoohanites a certain degree of 'Be seeing you'.

    HAYLEY ATWELL  (plays No. 41-5)

Born 5th April, 1982, British actress Hayley Atwell has a strong theatrical background, has appeared in cinema and television productions - including a TV commercial - and provided a voice part for a BBC Doctor Who radio presentation. Educated in London and trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (turning down an offered Oxford place) she quickly received critical praise. More can be found at IMDB, Wikipedia and fansites, including reviews and interviews. An American accent is reportedly required for her role in the new Prisoner 're-interpretation' and a trip to film in Namibia is about to occur. (see also MTV link on Prisoner-Remake page)
      

    LENNIE JAMES   (plays No. 147)

Born 11th October, 1965, in South London. He received training at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, graduating in 1988 and starting to write plays. In 2001 he was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award: Best Single Drama for Storm Damage (2000). He has been seen in TV dramas and series in both the US and the UK. Recent 'conspiracy' roles in Jericho, Spooks and The State Within have given him a character image consistent with 'under cover' or 'concealed identity' roles.
      
    RUTH WILSON  (plays No. 313)

Born 13 January 1982, Ashford, Kent, after schooling and sixth form, she graduated from the London Academy of Dramatic Art, in 2005. She was nominated in 2007 for a BAFTA TV Award: Best Actress for Jane Eyre (2006) and also nominated for a Golden Globe and two others for Jane Eyre, as well as coming second in a BBC viewers poll for Best Actress of 2006. Her appearance in the comedy series Suburban Shootout shows her contrasting abilities, alongside classical and costume dramas. There have been several radio engagements and more is online at IMDB and Wikipedia.
      
    MARK ADDY

Born 14 January 1964, York and educated there. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and has done a good deal of stage work. As early as 1997 he was nominated for a BAFTA Film Award: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for The Full Monty. Since then, more TV and film comedy roles have been undertaken. A regular on British TV screens, he has also appeared in recent movies and made personal appearances on a number of talk shows. More biographical and career details appear online at IMDB and Wikipedia.
      
    TOBY JONES

Born 7th September 1967, he acted in many productions at Abingdon School. The son of Freddie Jones, the British character actor and brother of Rupert Jones the director and Casper Jones the actor. He was awarded the 2002 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role of 2001 for his performance in The Play What I Wrote at the Wyndham Theatre, London and won the London Film Critics Circle Best British Actor for his portrayal of Truman Capote. There have been many other nominations and awards. He is well known for work on the stage and was nominated for a Tony Award in 2003 after a Broadway run. The list of films and TV is long, with comedy and serious roles from 1992 to the present. Classical parts and character roles have been taken by this busy actor. More biographical and career details are online at IMDB and Wikipedia.
      

    JAMIE CAMPBELL BOWER   (plays No. 11-12)

Born 22nd November, 1988,  he was raised in London, and attended Bedales, a boarding school in rural Hampshire, where he first took singing lessons. He was once a member of the National Youth Music Theatre and a professional model. His initial acting role was as a mouse in Alice in Wonderland. He later auditioned for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and took the part of Anthony Hope, singing also Johanna on the soundtrack. He will be seen in the Guy Richie film RocknRolla and was in the BBC's The Dinner Party.



Ok so thats taken from the Six of One page.

This is the ITV press release. Taken from the Unmutual web site.

ITV Announces New Cast Members For Reinterpretation Of Cult Classic,
The Prisoner
25 Jul 08


ITV announced today new cast members to star in its reinterpretation of
the highly influential 1960s cult classic, The Prisoner. ITV is
co-producing the six-part series with AMC and Granada International,
with a worldwide premiere in 2009. Today's news comes on the heels of
the recent announcement that Jim Caviezel will play the title role of
"Number Six" and two-time Oscar nominee Ian McKellen will co-star
playing the role of "Number Two."

New cast members of The Prisoner include: Ruth Wilson (Jane Eyre,
Capturing Mary) in the role of Number 313; Hayley Atwell (Brideshead
Revisited, Mansfield Park) as Number 41-5; Lennie James (Jericho, 24
Hour Party People) as Number 147; and Jamie Campbell-Bower (Sweeney
Todd, Rocknrolla) as Number 11-12.

Ruth Wilson is a BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated actress best known
for her portrayal of Jane Eyre; she also gained critical acclaim in
Stephan Poliakoff's Capturing Mary and A Real Summer.

Hayley Atwell is soon to appear as Julia Flyte in the forthcoming movie
remake of Brideshead Revisited; her previous work includes the
television adaptations of The Ruby in the Smoke and The Line of Beauty,
as well as Mansfield Park for ITV.

Lennie James has had a prolific career on television, film and in
theatre. Most recently he has appeared in both series of the cult CBS
show Jericho as the mysterious Robert Hawkins. His film works include
Michael Winterbottom's 24 Hour Party People and Guy Ritchie's movie
Snatch.

Jamie Campell-Bower is best known for his portrayal of Anthony,
alongside Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd. He has recently filmed
Rocknrolla, Guy Ritchie's latest directorial project.

The Prisoner combines a wide range of genres, including espionage,
thriller and Sci-Fi, into a unique and compelling drama.

Patrick McGoohan served as the creator, producer, writer and director
of the 1960s series, which has become widely regarded as one of the
most famous and intriguing cult TV series ever created, permanently
altering the scope of the fantasy genre. While the original series,
which debuted in 1967, was a riff on Cold War politics, ITV's
reinterpretation will reflect 21st Century concerns and anxieties, such
as liberty, security, and surveillance, yet also showcase the same key
elements of paranoia, tense action and socio-political commentary seen
in McGoohan's enigmatic original.

The Prisoner is a co-production of AMC and ITV Productions; the deal
brokered by ITV Worldwide, which holds all international rights, as
well as sales and remake right to the original series. ITV DVD holds
Home Entertainment rights. The series is written and Executive Produced
by Bill Gallagher (Conviction, Clocking Off, Lark Rise To Candleford),
Executive Produced by Michele Buck, Damien Timmer and Rebecca Keane for
ITV and AMC's Charlie Collier, Christina Wayne and Vlad Wolynetz.
Produced by Trevor Hopkins (Dracula, Poirot) and Directed by Jon Jones
(Northanger Abbey, Cold Feet, Archangel, The Diary of Anne Frank, The
Alan Clark Diaries). Jim Caviezel's deal was coordinated by ICM.
Creative Artists Agency orchestrated the deal on behalf of Sir Ian
McKellen.

[Geekyfanboy]

Seek The Six

"If I open my mind, you will take it away from me" "If someone was watching us, what would they see?" "The Truth is Right Beside You"

In 2009 AMC will be premiering their reinterpretation of the highly influential 1960s cult classic THE PRISONER.

In support of the recently announced mini-series, AMC launched a mysterious grassroots teaser effort at Comic Con this past weekend.

Attendees were provided with cryptic puzzle cards, which when decoded drove participants to a site (SeekTheSix.com) where they were tasked with 'seeking the six' in order to reveal the secret behind the campaign.

In addition, transparent stickers with a number "6" were placed in unusual places including ceilings, floors and even restroom mirrors. In the afternoons, "Seek the Six" sky-writing was seen above the convention center. The convention floor was also populated with dozens of numbered men in black suits who randomly uttered the iconic phrase "I Am Not A Number", but refused to offer any clues to their purpose other than "the truth is right beside you".

[Meds]

Great post kenny. This getting really big now.

[Meds]

Ok just been on the seek the six site and completed the six tests to see your number. You have to find 6 in the galleries, be warned you make a mistake you start again. Here are the answers that i found.

I don't think you want freedom
There is only the village
The truth is right beside you
Help me to conform, submit
Identity collapse
I am a no one
A bomb is a true act of humanity
There is only the village

And my number is 143638

I AM NOT A NUMBER I AM A FREE MAN.

[metron07]

I AM NOT A NUMBER! I AM A FREE MAN!

Ah, yes I remember it well.... :metallica:

[Meds]

Ha ha, its a brilliant program. Am very excited about this new version.

[Meds]

Here we go.