Patrick McGoohan has died

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7829267.stm

Sad news - he was one of TV's greatest actors and creative forces. His determination to do The Prisoner the way he wanted was an inspiration to many that came after him, and you could argue that the Prisoner started the whole idea of 'cult TV' and 'fandom' in the UK (which came first - Six Of One or DWAS?)

Genuinely sad news- he was one of my heroes, and the Prisoner one of my favourite tv series as well. The world will seem greyer and less vibrant with his passing.

Be seeing you, number six!-(

A true legend. He will be missed.

RIP Number 6

He's a free man now. Thanks, Pat. The Prisoner is an enduring work of genius.

A brief tribute is now on my blog.

Sad news. Superb actor.

a true original - a great actor and writer.

What a blow, just 24 hours after the annoucement of John Scott Martin's passing. A terrible start to the year for all fans of "Cult TV".

The Co=Ordinator wrote:What a blow, just 24 hours after the annoucement of John Scott Martin's passing. A terrible start to the year for all fans of "Cult TV".

it's been a bad week- david vine too!

and ricardo montalban- boss! the plane!

Oh bollocks, I didn't even know about Khan. Bloody hell.

As the C=O said, a sad beginning to the year.

R.I.P. to the passing of all these fine fellows - particularly Mr. McGoohan.

Won't Be Seeing Him.

...dammit.

barnaby salton wrote:

The Co=Ordinator wrote:What a blow, just 24 hours after the annoucement of John Scott Martin's passing. A terrible start to the year for all fans of "Cult TV".

it's been a bad week- david vine too!

and ricardo montalban- boss! the plane!

What a craptacular start to 2009. Being the melodramatic old fool that I am, I feel as if great chunks of my very being have been wrenched from me this last week.

The loss of Patrick and Ricardo is quite a blow. The world is a whole lot less classy with them gone from it. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

As I said on the DWF, be it the Prisoner or Columbo or Silver Streak, Patrick McGoohan never failed to entertain whenever he appeared on-screen. He will be missed. Rest in peace.

That's really sad, Ricardo Montalban has died too...really sad week for older actors who once appeared in a cult SF show is'nt it?

Yup, a bad week. They'll be missed.

A post-script to Patrick McGoohan's passing: my aunt, who was a fan of The Prisoner when it originally aired in the 60's, sent me this link from today's Wall Street Journal:

"Why The Prisoner Endures"

Did any of you know that a remake of The Prisoner is in the works?

Patrick wrote:A post-script to Patrick McGoohan's passing: my aunt, who was a fan of The Prisoner when it originally aired in the 60's, sent me this link from today's Wall Street Journal:

"Why The Prisoner Endures"

Did any of you know that a remake of The Prisoner is in the works?

In the works, old chap? It's actually wrapped and in the can. due for transmission later this year on ITV. James Caviezel, inherits the mantle of Number Six, while no less than Sir Ian McKellen is Number Two.

The six (geddit) part series was filmed in South Africa. The official website can be found...Here

Sid Seadevil wrote:In the works, old chap? It's actually wrapped and in the can. due for transmission later this year on ITV. James Caviezel, inherits the mantle of Number Six, while no less than Sir Ian McKellen is Number Two.

The six (geddit) part series was filmed in South Africa. The official website can be found...Here

Well, I'm certain Sir Ian will deliver the goods. Caviezel, on the other hand? I wish him good luck filling those shoes...

Zoltar wrote:Well, I'm certain Sir Ian will deliver the goods. Caviezel, on the other hand? I wish him good luck filling those shoes...

Oh, I think he might just surprise us all. I personally think he's a fine, if somewhat underrated, actor. But perhaps most importantly, McGoohan himself gave this project his blessing.

In fact he was offered a cameo in the first episode. Unfortunately, he was too ill to make the trip to South Africa to film it - and had passed away before the production company thought to arrange to send a unit to him to film it.

A most sadly missed opportunity for all concerned.

Sid Seadevil wrote:Oh, I think he might just surprise us all. I personally think he's a fine, if somewhat underrated, actor. But perhaps most importantly, McGoohan himself gave this project his blessing.

In fact he was offered a cameo in the first episode. Unfortunately, he was too ill to make the trip to South Africa to film it - and had passed away before the production company thought to arrange to send a unit to him to film it.

A most sadly missed opportunity for all concerned.

Shame. Well, it's good to know he gave the project his blessing. I do agree James has the acting chops required, I just think McGoohan is a tough act to follow. I'd be more than happy to be pleasantly surprised though.

Zoltar wrote:Shame. Well, it's good to know he gave the project his blessing. I do agree James has the acting chops required, I just think McGoohan is a tough act to follow. I'd be more than happy to be pleasantly surprised though.

I think the trick here is not to expect a mere retread of the original. The concept is certainly strong enough to survive a certain amount of reinterpretation - and I think that's exactly what we're going to get. It's the die-hard mini-moke, and penny farthing brigade who are going to have the most trouble with this, I suspect.

Sid Seadevil wrote:I think the trick here is not to expect a mere retread of the original. The concept is certainly strong enough to survive a certain amount of reinterpretation - and I think that's exactly what we're going to get. It's the die-hard mini-moke, and penny farthing brigade who are going to have the most trouble with this, I suspect.

Agreed. In fact, I'd be disappointed if they did just crank out an unvarnished retread of the original.

Zoltar wrote:Agreed. In fact, I'd be disappointed if they did just crank out an unvarnished retread of the original.

Indeed. In fact if anything, hardline Prisoner fans are even worse than Who fans when it comes to their almost wilful refusal to adhere, let alone understand, the core message of the show they profess to worship.

No wonder McGoohan, in the main, held them in such disdain.