Several years ago when AMC turned on its satellite and became one of America’s first all non-premium all movie channels it had to dig deep into film archives and showed some unknown films of questionable quality. When the channel began showing commericals everyone thought it was doomed, however, that slowly began to change as the channel grew and became better known films of much higher quality and with some real star-quality were being shown. Eventually the channel sort of branched-off and began having film reviews and other styles of short-programming between the movies. Then, couple of years, the cable channel did a complete 180 and started offering up unique original programming and high-quality remakes of some great TV series from the past. This has become very apparent with the recent Emmy sweeps the channel has enjoyed with its original show “Mad Men,” a story centering around 1960’s New York ad agencies.
Last year AMC announced that it would resurrect a classic 1967 show for a 6-part miniseries remake of “The Prisoner.” At first most SF buffs and lovers of the original show, that starred Patrick McGoohan, balked at the idea of taking such a beloved show and trying to improve it for the 21st Century. But, the more that became known of AMC’s attention to detail and its dedication to getting it right, the more excited fans became, especially with the announcement that the great Ian McKellen (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “X-Men” films), the two-time Oscar nominee, would be co-starring as “Number Two.” That excitement grew to a fevered-pitch this past June when AMC announced it had also signed on James Caviezel (“The Passion of the Christ”) to play the lead role of Number Six made famous by McGoohan. AMC’s “The Prisoner” is set to air in 2009.
This week AMC told the press that it will adapt the highly popular 1982 Kim Stanley Robinson novel “Red Mars” for broadcast with Johnathan Hensleigh (“Armageddon”) serving as the projects co-executive producer. Hensleigh will also adapt the teleplay.
Robinson’s Mars trilogy “Red Mars,” Green Mars, “Blue Mars,” which follows the progression of Mars exploration and colonization by Earthlings and the changes the planet undergoes during this process, have seen hugh success among all readers, not just sci-fi lovers. Whether or not AMC will follow with adaptations of the other two novels will depend on the ratings success of their attempt at “Red Mars.”
Sweet…can’t wait for this series. If ‘Madmen’ and ‘Breaking Bad’ are any indication they’ll do this right…
I second what Casual said…
With Mad Men and Breaking Bad, AMC has shown a willingness to give us well-done dramas that break the mold. If this commitment to quality continues and is given to The Prisoner and Red Mars, these could be instant classics along the lines of Battlestar Galactica.
I hope AMC doesn’t forget it’s roots, to bring CLASSIC movies to television without commercial interruption. The “questionable” movies were considered very popular in their day, and a lot of younger people have’t seen such classic movies as the Maltese Falcon, or Casablanca, or any other Black and White movie that seem odd today. I grew up watching those black and white movies with my Dad and loved them. Many of the remakes today were due to those classic movies. The edgyness of the black and white film has a character all it’s own. Some movies just don’t work as well in color. Those deep black shadows and sharp contrasting white areas brings a dramatic feel that cannot be as realized in a color version.
Though I don’t mind AMC bringing original programming to their station, let’s not do it to where it changes the whole perspective of what it means to be AMC, American Movie Classics (commercial free movies!)
I know this is just nit-picky of me, but I’ve seen it twice now. Wasn’t Red Mars published in 1992, not 1982? I am a HUGE fan of these books and I’m not sure how I feel about anyone trying to adapt them. It could be good, but it could also be painfully superficial. I will wait and see.
I’ve read and reread the entire “Mars” series at least 6 times-mostly because it’s so complicated and intricate that my little brain is still having a difficult time soaking it all in! But not once did I ever think it should be adapted for TV or film. Adaptations are usually disasters unless visionaries, not only with directing but in production, are allowed to explore their imaginations to the fullest. “The Lord of the Rings”, is the only great film adaptation of an epic book series that comes to mind. On the other hand, look at what’s been allowed to happen with the “Dune” series!! Let’s just hope AMC allows the scope and breadth of Robinson’s conception to come to life.