The Prisoner
  • Network: AMC
  • Series Premiere Date: Nov 15, 2009
Metascore
45

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 21
  3. Negative: 6 out of 21

Critic Reviews

  1. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    38
    The real-life Village locale (in Nambia) is fascinating and McKellen is great, as always--but Caviezel and the rest just grimace a lot and make you want to get-the-hell outta town.
  2. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    37
    McKellen may be a sublime combo of the Wicked Witch and the Wiz, but Caviezel is no Dorothy. And sadly, this isn't much of a Prisoner.
  3. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    30
    This Prisoner remake contains some striking visuals and intermittently effective performances, especially from the typically magnetic McKellan, but it’s also frequently too choppy and elliptical to build up much suspense or dramatic impact.
  5. Salon
    Reviewed by: Heather Havrilesky
    30
    Suffice it to say that the destination of this elaborate six-hour allegory is meant to be far less important than the journey. And that would be fine, if this particular journey didn't feel quite so much like doing hard time.
  6. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    30
    The conclusion is that a great cast and a singular location can't carry a scattershot script that goes in and out of focus.
  7. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    30
    Dismal and disoriented, under-plotted and over-allegorized, the six-hour Prisoner miniseries that debuts on AMC Sunday night is an exercise in full-tilt dramatic tedium that will appall anybody who remembers the original and bewilder anyone who doesn't: What was the big deal about that?

Awards & Rankings

95
#95 Best TV Season of 2009
45
#45 Most Discussed TV Season of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
3.6

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 82 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 82
  3. Negative: 48 out of 82
  1. AbrahamLB122
    Feb 22, 2018
    10
    I think that most of the people rated bad this series because has differences with the original. But if you watch the 2009 series alone itsI think that most of the people rated bad this series because has differences with the original. But if you watch the 2009 series alone its enjoyable and had goods arguments and story. Sorry for bad grammar and English.… Full Review »
  2. drlowdon
    Feb 27, 2013
    4
    This six hour mini-series is said to be a 'reinterpretation' of the cult British show. Having not seen more than a few clips of the originalThis six hour mini-series is said to be a 'reinterpretation' of the cult British show. Having not seen more than a few clips of the original I can't really make comparisons but there is very little to recommend here as the slow pace and overly complicated plot make for rather dull television.… Full Review »
  3. YellowOxide
    Dec 10, 2012
    0
    This is so bad it is hard to even bother write this, but the people who were thinking they were doing something better than the originalThis is so bad it is hard to even bother write this, but the people who were thinking they were doing something better than the original really lost the plot, in more ways than one!

    I'm not going to waste time on detailed commentary except to say that they turned what is a paranoid exploration of the cold war period into some ersatz fantasy world for people just hate ambiguity.

    Not even 1 for trying.    … Full Review »
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