Review: 'Prisoner' chained to its own befuddlement

The 1967 TV series “The Prisoner” was a mind-boggling story of a former spy (Patrick McGoohan) who, after announcing his retirement, finds himself mysteriously whisked to a place called The Village. No one has a name — only by a number. McGoohan’s character was known as Number Six.

The strange series ended after 17 episodes, including a totally bizarre finale that included a singalong to “Dem Bones.” McGoohan was hounded for answers but never offered any clues to the meaning of that episode, which he wrote, or the series because he wanted viewers to draw their own conclusions.

AMC offers an updated version of the series with a six-part, three-night miniseries starting Sunday. And, this version is just as mind twisting and confusing as the original. In comparison, the often convoluted “Lost” comes across as simplistic.

Jim Caviezel plays Number Six, a man who wakes up in the idyllic Village. Every resident believes there is nothing outside the desert that surrounds the small town. The Village is all that exists. Led by the mysterious Number Two (Ian McKellen), efforts are made to convince Number Six that any memories he has of an outside world are just delusions created by his sick mind.

Number Six, driven to prove he is not mad, tries to find other Village residents who share his belief in the outside world.

The series brushes against multiple topics, including heavy-handed looks at politics and big business. But these are just stumbles along a path of weird psychological elements that pile confusion on top of bewilderment.

“The Prisoner” is beautifully shot and well acted. It just would have been more accessible if the story line had been just a bit less befuddling. It is one thing for a series to make you think. It’s another when it leaves you with a headache.