It's a Friday, so I'll do something a bit lighter today. Sunday through Tuesday, AMC-TV aired it's "re-imaging" of the 1967 cult TV classic, "The Prisoner". 42 years ago, I was one of the lucky Americans to see the show, due to my proximity to Canada. In fact, the CBC aired the Patrick McGoohan series 2 weeks before it was shown in the UK.
CBS later aired the series in America in 1968.

Having been a fan of the series since then, I was both excited and concerned upon hearing of the AMC remake. We all know what an awful the film version of “The Avengers” turned out to be. Tampering with McGoohan’s stunning vision of the struggle between the individual and society is to the many fans of the original series akin to urinating on a crucifix.

The ‘67 Prisoner was set amidst the Cold War. McGoohan played a spy who knew too much, and who’s sudden and mysterious resignation prompted him to be kidnapped and whisked away to The Village. There his mind and soul were poked and prodded in efforts by unknown forces to reveal information. Reduced to only a number, 6, he waged a steady rebellion against conformity and cooperation.

Jim Ceviezel plays 6 in the AMC remake. He’s an analyst for a data mining corporation that monitors CCTV networks. 6 writes reports on trends in human behavior, and his latest has his employers nervous. Upset at being told to “cease and desist” by his superiors, 6 resigns, and finds himself in The Village.

In this version, The Village is a drug-induced dreamscape of No. 2’s wife. All is well so long as she is kept dreaming. It’s purpose is to return those people whom 6 has reported on as being mentally disturbed to an idyllic existence where the simple life is enjoyed. But there is a price, as villagers are under constant monitoring.

Both series tell the tale that the true struggle in life is fought in the mind and in the soul. Finding the balance between humanity and reason, between love and savagery. Both series also concluded in similar ways, with the rebellion of No. 6 being accepted as the correct path to choose in life. Although, in the AMC version, 6 returns to his old job and agrees to carry on the Village, as it is the only environment for his love to exist in.

If you’ve never seen either series, I would suggest seeing the original first. AMC’s website has all of the episodes available on line. They also have a great deal of fun items on the remake to enjoy. As they say in The Village, Be Seeing You!