Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Eccleston will play Number Six (Remake of 60s TV Show The Prisoner)
The Register ^ | Friday 5th May 2006 | Jane Hoskyn

Posted on 05/05/2006 11:28:06 AM PDT by nickcarraway

He may have vanished from your Dr Who screensaver, but Christopher Eccleston isn't done with being a geek hero just yet: Doctor Nine will regenerate as Number Six in Granada's £10m remake of the 60s classic The Prisoner (http://www.retroweb.com/prisoner.html), confirming the El Reg story (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/04/prisoner_remake/) yesterday linking the in-demand thesp with the role.

The six-part remake is slated to air on Sky One in "January 2007" or "spring 2007", depending on whom you believe; our guess is that Sky will bust its arse, and the arses of anyone involved, to get it on screen at exactly the same time as Tennant's second series of Who.

What's almost as certain is that "Sky One's biggest drama commission ever" will have more in common with glossy conspiracy fare like 24, which incidentally goes HD in two weeks time (http://www.hdtvuk.tv/2006/05/skys_first_week.html), and Lost than with the surreal Patrick McGoohan original, famously set in the Butlins-meets-Alcatraz Welsh village of Portmeirion. Purists may take to the streets over the relocation of The Prisoner to "a more exotic setting", but at least the Portmeirion locals won't have to suffer a brand new glut of telly-tourists gawping through their front windows while they’re trying to have a brew in front of Deal or no Deal (http://www.tvscoop.tv/2005/12/review_deal_or_.html)


TOPICS: Conspiracy; Miscellaneous; Music/Entertainment; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: numbersix; theprisoner
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-62 next last
To: potlatch


I had a good "The Prisoner" site in the UK a few years ago

Great graphics -

Not much that is easy to find on "The Prisoner" now


KAR  120C


That may be an audio clip .wav


21 posted on 07/20/2007 11:04:24 PM PDT by devolve ( _Google-Illegals_Killed_25_Americans_Each_Day _A_Mex_Illegal_Alien_Sold_911_Terrorists_IDs_)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: potlatch

.

Lyrics?

Could be -

That show went thru several changes

Patrick McGoohan thought it up when he was on “Secret Agent”

He was involved in everything on “The Prisoner”

He did some good roles on “Columbo”


22 posted on 07/20/2007 11:08:36 PM PDT by devolve ( _Google-Illegals_Killed_25_Americans_Each_Day _A_Mex_Illegal_Alien_Sold_911_Terrorists_IDs_)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: devolve

In my post #18, I had asked you about the lyrics. I am not ‘up’ on all these ‘spy’ series so am not familiar with the music.

The song, “The Prisoner” is not a happy song and I didn’t know if there was a connection. After searching many sites last night I found the brief ‘lyrics’ I posted above from the theme.


23 posted on 07/21/2007 12:05:38 PM PDT by potlatch (MIZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MIKAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: potlatch

.

I don’t the “lyrics” found in many searches for song titles always results in finding the actual lyrics

There are a number of song titles that are the same as movie or TV show themes or even older songs of the same title

“The Prisoner” is a TV show concept by English actor Patrick McGoohan when he was still acting in the Brit TV show “Danger Man” which was here as “Secret Agent”

Obviously the well known theme song “Secret Agent” sung by Johnny Rivers was something to make the show more popular for the American TV audience

“The Prisoner” as show about a British intelligence agent who quits “I resign!”

He is soon kidnapped and taken to a Disnetland looking island where is made “#6” in “The Village”

The whole show series is about “#6” resisting and finally escaping “The Village” to return to London

An unusual and more cerebral concept and storyline and with all kinds of symbols and hints and clues “The Prisoner” tries to figure out and use to escape

A song with lyrics called “Prisoner” or “The Prisoner” would likely not be upbeat or happy

Even though this show was named “The Prisoner” it was never an unhappy show as #6 was never going to give up or let the system beat him

And he finally won

“The Prisoner” was more of a “cult show” like “Star Trek” but in a different way

DISCLAIMER: I am not a film or TV reviewer and I may be wrong on everything


24 posted on 07/21/2007 1:37:43 PM PDT by devolve ( _Google-Illegals_Killed_25_Americans_Each_Day _A_Mex_Illegal_Alien_Sold_911_Terrorists_IDs_)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: devolve

You have a good memory for things that interest you. I’m sure you remember the show, people and songs well.


25 posted on 07/21/2007 1:56:05 PM PDT by potlatch (MIZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MIKAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: potlatch

.

Actually the internet has been the only source of audios, images, info and details from BBC and a few websites about the show

PBS-TV would do reruns of the show some weeks in the 1980s & 1990s

When you see an old series again you notice things you missed and programs you missed

And watching again is often without distractions

Patrick McGoohan was a real creative genius and his patented “frown” in the shows hid his real personality of mischief

Not many actors actually create a TV show series or movie and are so involved in every aspect of production, direction, acting, scripts, set details, music, fine tuning, changes

“Dr Who” is another TV cult show series - but it has had many lead actors and is far different

Today TV and movies is sorely lacking in creative geniuses or even just a good basic plot or concept others can develop

I have nothing against remakes or changing lead characters if it is done well

“The Avengers” had numerous changes until they got it right

Then the lead actress Diana Rigg left and the next actress did not work out and the series was brought back later as “The New Avengers”


26 posted on 07/21/2007 2:30:04 PM PDT by devolve ( _Google-Illegals_Killed_25_Americans_Each_Day _A_Mex_Illegal_Alien_Sold_911_Terrorists_IDs_)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: devolve

Years ago I watched a lot of TV. Now, I couldn’t tell you what all is on.


27 posted on 07/21/2007 3:12:03 PM PDT by potlatch (MIZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MIKAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: potlatch

.

Most current TV is not worth watching

TV producer’s staffs are mostly liberal feminist women and “cheerful” men - and concept, scripts, casting, agendas are influenced by that

Actors are all too young compared to earlier hit TV shows -

“Friends”, etc

Playing to a young demographic that spends a lot on clothing, etc
But content is lousy and viewers ate tanking - going to cable/satellite TV and the internet

Actors in earlier TV were sometimes young but did not dominate a whole show except maybe “Happy Days” which was an updated “Ozzie & Harriet” concept

“Magnum PI” - “Dragnet” - “Hawaai 5-0” - “Moonlighting” - “Remington Steele” - “Mission Impossible” - “Columbo” - “Star Trek” - “Bonanza” - “Kojak” -

All seemed to be successful series without resorting to teenagers and early 20s casts

“Everybody Love Raymond” seemed to be different as did “Seinfeld”

No obcession with HS aged and early 20s actors

It is more than biased liberal TV news agendas, content, anchors that is killing network TV shares and advertising dollars


28 posted on 07/21/2007 4:27:00 PM PDT by devolve ( _Google-Illegals_Killed_25_Americans_Each_Day _A_Mex_Illegal_Alien_Sold_911_Terrorists_IDs_)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: devolve

Lol devolve! Nowadays when I see a policeman I think he looks like a teenager.

Maybe it is the same looking back at the old series. The Rockford Files and Magnum PI were two of my favorites.

The actor had to appeal to me. I did like Bruce Willace in Moonlighting but Jack Lord or Jack Webb weren’t favorites.

BUT, I liked Kojak and Columbo even though they weren’t handsome men.

And Everybody had to like Happy DAys, lol.


29 posted on 07/21/2007 5:06:58 PM PDT by potlatch (MIZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MIKAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

I discovered The Prisoner in the 70’s, when I was stationed in Germany. I’ve been a fan ever since. I’ve rented the series from Netflix, and re-watched them, also.

Can’t wait for the remake.

Thanks for the post.

papa


30 posted on 07/21/2007 5:34:16 PM PDT by papasmurf (<<<<< Click there to see my dogs! Oh, and I have FRed one liners, too.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: potlatch

.

I think Bruce Willis, *James Garner, Jack Lord, Tom Selleck and others were in their late 20s or early 30s or *later when they made their TV shows

Some started out getting early TV exposure on “The Dating Game” - Tom Selleck did I think

Today they take a young (cheap) no-name actor and put them in a no-name ensemble cast

Which after ratings climb - They then demand a million dollars a show each

Early Hollywood “contract players” like Clint Walker (Cheyenne - 1st hour-long TV western) was on 8-9 years - wanted to do feature films too - but Jack Warner would not go for it

Early TV stars got peanuts for pay
James Garner was constantly ripped off by the producers of “The Rockford Files” (great humor in that show) and finally quit just as they changed his car from a Pontiac Firebird to a modified suspension new Chevy El Camino

James Garner himself raced at Le Mans, Monaco, etc and never used a stunt driver

I believe Garner was “discovered” working in a service (gas) station
-

Yes - the cops look 12 years old sometimes

“The Prisoner” was a show people “got into” I think

“This week I’m going to get away!”

Viewers used to look forward to weekly series TV shows more I think

Families would sit together on a weekednd night and watch “Mission Impossible”

The two “IM” movies I have seen are not nearly as good as many of the old “IV” TV episodes

Now that was a great cast -


31 posted on 07/21/2007 6:04:07 PM PDT by devolve ( _Google-Illegals_Killed_25_Americans_Each_Day _A_Mex_Illegal_Alien_Sold_911_Terrorists_IDs_)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: potlatch

The show itself had a purely instrumental theme song. Years later Iron Maiden (best read heavy metal band ever) did not one but two Prisoner inspired songs. The first was “Prisoner” on their Number of the Beast album, that’s the one that starts with the “who is #1” exchange, good song written by the band’s main guy Steve Harris. The second was “Back in the Village” on their Powerslave album, that song is mostly constructed of memorable lines from the series like “questions are burden, answers a prison for oneself”, it’s a little clunky and not one of Bruce Dickenson’s best efforts as a writer.


32 posted on 07/21/2007 6:10:33 PM PDT by discostu (indecision may or may not be my biggest problem)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: devolve

For some reason I have no recollection of The Prisoner. If I saw it I would probably remember it.

Maverick with James Garner and ‘Jack Kelly’ [??} That was an every weekend treat!!


33 posted on 07/21/2007 6:17:24 PM PDT by potlatch (MIZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MIKAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway
(Remake of 60s TV Show The Prisoner)

Now I know I'm becoming an old codger.

Because I'm gonna' sound like one when I say "I don't think this
is a very good idea."

(but if I'm wrong, I'll be quite happy to see a "Prisoner" redux)
34 posted on 07/21/2007 6:20:16 PM PDT by VOA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: devolve; discostu

[The show itself had a purely instrumental theme song.]

Thank you discostu. Last night I was totally puzzled about it and did a long Google search. One site did list what I posted in #19 as lyrics from it.

But you know how that is!!


35 posted on 07/21/2007 6:20:18 PM PDT by potlatch (MIZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MIKAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: potlatch

That’s the opener of the first song, and of course most of the episodes. It’s all very confusing actually, made worse by the fact that most people think The Prisoner is basically a continuation of Secret Agent Man which itself had a very popular theme song with lyrics. Luckily I’m a fan of both Iron Maiden and The Prisoner from completely separate paths.


36 posted on 07/21/2007 6:27:24 PM PDT by discostu (indecision may or may not be my biggest problem)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: devolve; discostu

Yes, it is confusing, especially if you can’t remember it. Almost every site I saw about the Prisoner evolved into something about Secret Agent Man!!

So, that WAS the opener of the first song. Thanks for telling me that.


37 posted on 07/21/2007 6:34:16 PM PDT by potlatch (MIZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MIKAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: potlatch

.

Someone mentioned that Roger Moore starred as a “Maverick” while Jack Kelly was going thru a contract dispute

Then James Garner was in the more recent movie of “Maverick” with Mel Gibson

That was a pretty darned good movie

It kept the humor and developed a good western movie storyline

The best actor in it was the Indian - forget his name

-

Unlike the movie “Wild Wild West” which was a PC social revisionist project

“The Prisoner” was not an ABC, NBC, CBS - network TV broadcast show

CH13-PBS I believe


38 posted on 07/21/2007 6:43:26 PM PDT by devolve ( _Google-Illegals_Killed_25_Americans_Each_Day _A_Mex_Illegal_Alien_Sold_911_Terrorists_IDs_)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: devolve

[“The Prisoner” was not an ABC, NBC, CBS - network TV broadcast show]

You have finally solved the reason I am unfamiliar with it!!


39 posted on 07/21/2007 6:47:00 PM PDT by potlatch (MIZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MIKAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

You know, that’s the only reason I clicked on this thread.


40 posted on 07/21/2007 6:49:13 PM PDT by ovrtaxt (The FairTax and the North American Union are mutually exclusive.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-62 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson