Capitalism may "offer" freedom, but it doesn't provide it according to British actor and liberal activist Ian McKellen.
McKellen was discussing his latest role as "Number Two," in AMC's reinvention of the Cold War show "The Prisoner." The liberal actor told Associated Press that his character embodies "the drawbacks of capitalism."
"Capitalism offers you freedom, but far from giving people freedom, it enslaves them. That's part of the show's message," McKellen said.
That's a very different message from the 1960s original British television series which pitted individual rights and freedom against collectivism and state control.
Reason magazine explained the libertarian leanings of the show on Jan. 15, 2009. They wrote that Patrick McGoohan, creator and star of the TV series, once told New Video magazine about his alter-ego Number 6: "He shouldn't have to answer to anyone. It's entirely his prerogative, his God-given right as an individual, to proceed in any way he sees fit. That's the whole point of it all."
McKellen has ruffled feathers in the past for remarks made while promoting his films. In 2006, the "Da Vinci Code" star told "Today" that the Bible needed a "disclaimer."
"Well, I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction. I mean, walking on water, it takes an act of faith," McKellen said.
AMC's version of "The Prisoner" is set to air Nov. 15-18 as a six-hour miniseries.
—Julia A. Seymour is an assistant editor for the Business & Media Institute.
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I was all set to watch it
November 12, 2009 - 13:51 ET by NewsbusterbrownI was all set to watch it this weekend, but if it's anti-capitalism, I'll pass.
“There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)
The Prisoner
November 12, 2009 - 13:55 ET by AgentAmericanThe Prisoner in the 1960's was one of the greatest TV shows ever. I certainly hope this show lives up to the original.
I think we conservatives can start creating our own genre of TV, something like 24 with a conservative slant (good wins over evil), with heroes that are tough and role model building.
Unfortunately, Ian McKellen is in it.
Awake the sleeping giant...and that giant is WE THE PEOPLE!
you guys know that
November 12, 2009 - 14:09 ET by criticalthinkingyou guys know that capitolism isn't perfect right? Drive through north philly, and as you passed the shelled facotries you'll realize that it has its drawbacks. I still think its the best option though. this kind of thinking is one reason that I thought Palin was a fool. She said that Obama saw America as imperfect. Duh! America is the best country of all time, but it is far from perfect. everything put the holy trinity can be improved.
Thank the heavenly father for Obama
CT, your critical's busted
November 12, 2009 - 14:12 ET by HockeyKidCT, your critical's busted again. You say capitalism's the best option and "Thank the heavenly father for Obama" in the same post. You're missing either a /sarc or a brick.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
CT conk---
November 12, 2009 - 14:44 ET by matthewdeanHK:
Xlnt !!
Could not have nailed CT better even if HK stood for Heckler-Koch.
MD
"There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress."
Mark Twain (1835-1910)
Thanks. And it might as
November 12, 2009 - 15:59 ET by HockeyKidThanks. And it might as well, though my fave-of-the-month is a Springfield XD.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
CC, you do know that
November 12, 2009 - 14:17 ET by Dan The Man 2CC, you do know that capitalism is not a political philosophy? Capitalism is an economic model where hard work and inspiration rules the day, of course mixed in with a lot of luck. No one said the USA was perfect but up until Duh Vain One it was the best around. Now we have to wait a while to see if that’s still true.
Your ignorance astounds me to the shallowness of your being.
Dan, not capitalism
November 12, 2009 - 15:07 ET by SickofLibsHe said capitolism - you know, when a person has a fascination with buildings that house seats of government.
I agree with him - capitolism is not perfect, but it's better than motelism.
Or facotryism, which is
November 12, 2009 - 16:00 ET by HockeyKidOr facotryism, which is apparently bad in Philly.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Oh, I see. So capitalism
November 12, 2009 - 16:16 ET by fitzfongOh, I see. So capitalism isn't perfect because some inner city neighborhoods have turned into slums? First of all, it never occurred to people to leave no future dumps like Detroit, North Philadelphia, South LA or Brownsville, Brooklyn in pursuit of job opportunities and higher standards of living/lower costs of living in other, more business-friendly climates? Secondly, capitalism has ensured that poverty is limited to the very few...whereas the Marxist utopias Obama is seeking to emulate (you know, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, USSR, etc.) turn the entire nation into a North Philly ghetto.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
Ian McKellen played himself
November 12, 2009 - 14:10 ET by HockeyKidIan McKellen played himself in the X-Men movies. He even believed he was the good guy.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
"Capitalism offers you
November 12, 2009 - 14:10 ET by Dan The Man 2"Capitalism offers you freedom, but far from giving people freedom, it enslaves them. That's part of the show's message," McKellen said.
Hmmm, I wonder how much he was "enslaved" for? Perhaps these idiots should live up to their Marxist ideas.
It sounds like if
November 12, 2009 - 14:13 ET by Chris NormanIt sounds like if McKellen appeared in the biography of Paul Revere, he would spin the description of the story as a warning of American tyrrany...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
1960's I am not a number, I
November 12, 2009 - 14:13 ET by upcountrywater1960's I am not a number, I am a free man.
Commies are bad.
2009's I am a number, I am not a free man.
Captialists are bad.
State controlled health care ! music video.
Actors can be such a disappointment
November 12, 2009 - 14:31 ET by Calypso Joneswhen they so glaringly fail to live up to the characters they play.
Ian McKellan as Number
November 12, 2009 - 14:34 ET by fitzfongIan McKellan as Number Two...well, that's accurate.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
→ Is it true?
November 12, 2009 - 16:31 ET by Cool ArrowIs it true Ian McKellan has refused his salary for his performance?
Gosh, Ian, that would really show those capitalists how easy it is to live in your accustomed manner without free markets, now wouldn't it?
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
I'm pretty sure
November 12, 2009 - 17:05 ET by Quasi-socialisthe only asked for scale.
That explains it
November 12, 2009 - 17:24 ET by Cool ArrowSo he's a Pisces?
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
My sense is that his grasp
November 12, 2009 - 17:56 ET by fitzfongMy sense is that his grasp of politics is rather limited to a single issue, or rather to a specific agenda: "gay rights". When left to popular sentiment, "gay rights" agenda issues tend not to succeed, so people like McKellan look to government to step in and enforce items on the agenda since they are convinced that they can't change popular sentiment quickly enough. That's why I think he frowns on capitalism, because it is an extension of democracy (or popular sentiment), and thrives when individuals make their own value judgments. If popular sentiment is at odds with his beliefs, popular sentiment is wrong, and the individuals need to be reeducated so that they carry the proper value system. I have sympathy for his belief regarding gay marriage (I favor it in theory, but I object to the methods the movement has employed...namely using the courts to circumvent the Constitution), but that doesn't entitle him, in a misguided sense of his own moral superiority, to expect government to enforce his values on society.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
I watch him act...
November 12, 2009 - 14:48 ET by Saint Zeronot spout political philosophy. Who cares what an actor thinks on that?
Be Seeing You
November 12, 2009 - 15:41 ET by Jack BauerThey waited until McGoohan was dead to produce what sounds like the antithesis of one of my fave shows evah!
How can McKellan play Number 2 in more than one epidode?
As I recall, Number 2 was changed every episode in the original. One of the best being the late, very great Leo McKern. That was the point. Pat defeated the Number 2 de jour: who was himself disappeared and replaced for his failure.
By the way, Google Earth Port Merion, for those who don't know, this Itanianete village, in north Wales, was the exterior location for THE VILLAGE.
I'm very curious to see how
November 12, 2009 - 16:05 ET by HockeyKidI'm very curious to see how they manage to cast the Big Evil Corporation as the keeper of The Village, the ensnaring be-all and end-all of Number 6's life. After all, a Big Evil Corporation has this, well, vulnerable spot in terms of controlling its employees lives: "I quit."
Problem solved in Mr. McKellen's socio-economic psycho-drama. Not so easy when the state is the bad guy, is it now?
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
JB---
November 12, 2009 - 22:57 ET by matthewdeanWas it McGoohan who played the role of the English king in Gibsons' "Braveheart?"
I ain't an aficionado, but that was a great role, and well acted.
MD
"There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress."
Mark Twain (1835-1910)
Why, Yes it was
November 13, 2009 - 02:41 ET by DoktorFrankenAnd I always thought that Patrick would have made a great Dumbledore.
JMHO, you understand.
If Saul Alinsky owned a news channel it would be MSNBC. ---- Me
Thanks Dok---
November 13, 2009 - 02:46 ET by matthewdeanSaves me waiting around for the next TV airing to find out.
Dumbledore, eh?
Yep.
Cheers.
MD
"There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress."
Mark Twain (1835-1910)
Excuse me?
November 12, 2009 - 16:29 ET by ChristianRebel"Capitalism offers you freedom, but far from giving people freedom, it enslaves them"
The only "enslavement" in capitalism is ones own laziness and lack of determination!
Oh and by the way Mr. McKellen the only book that needs a "fiction" disclaimer in the beginning is THE DA VINCI CODE! Even National Geographic blasted holes into that book and the theory around it!
The Bible has history, artifacts, and modern testimony on its side, all your statements do is show your bias and blatant ignorance and I pray your eyes get opened!
Yet another actor goes onto my "do not touch till further notice" list.
You think the DaVinci Code was terrible?
November 12, 2009 - 18:10 ET by CO2MakerHis previous pot-boiler, Angels and Demons, was even worse. Hell, it would even make Keith "I can see demons struggling in my bathtub" the Sports Boy's list of worser and worser things.
McKellen should stick to
November 12, 2009 - 17:22 ET by Trix RabbitMcKellen should stick to playing roles like Gandalf or King Lear. As dated as the original show is, the message remains the same. This new show will absolutely blow chunks.
For the MSM: In your pomp and all your glory, you're a poorer man than me. As you lick the boots of death born out of fear.
Ian Anderson "Wind up"
I agree, TR
November 13, 2009 - 02:45 ET by DoktorFrankenIt's just another way of altering history (changing the basic show) and indoctrinating our children (and stupid adults) into Socialism, Communism, or just plain Anti-Capitalism. The Left strikes again.
Chunks indeed.
JMHO, you understand.
If Saul Alinsky owned a news channel it would be MSNBC. ---- Me
This is known as ...
November 12, 2009 - 18:06 ET by CO2MakerSomers and McCarthy’s Law: There is no dangerous unscientific theory so preposterous that no celebrity will espouse and advocate it.
10 Geeky Laws That Should Exist, But Don’t | GeekDad | Wired.com
And who is McKellan a
November 12, 2009 - 18:38 ET by SlyrrAnd who is McKellan a 'slave' to then? Why does he work in a media industry that garners million dollar salaries for it's spoiled and doddering elites?
Does he really want to show how much he hates capitalism? Let's see him sell everything he owns, give away all his money and live in a mud hut.
You disappoint me, Gandalf. Your fictional namesake knew better. When Saruman lured him to Orthanc and tried to persuade him to join with the Dark Lord, he used such pretty socialist dogma as 'the end justifies the means' and 'there will be rich reward'.
Gandalf angrily replied: 'I have heard speeches of this sort before, but only from the mouths of emmisaries sent from Mordor to decieve the ignorant. I cannot think you have had me come so far only to weary my ears.'
They do this to the classic anti-authoritarian "Prisoner"?
November 13, 2009 - 02:16 ET by carolina09How can they do this and make any sense at all? It's like they want to take the "Gulag Archipelago" and make it also to be anti-freedom.
Freedom is authoritarianism. Death is life. No, I won't be watching this.
Be seeing you ---- NOT!
November 13, 2009 - 02:38 ET by DoktorFrankenI hope that Ian McKellen realizes that the lifetime of a #2 (how apropos is that?) on The Prisoner is very short.
Ian McKellen, one of these days your uppance will come.
JMHO, you understand.
If Saul Alinsky owned a news channel it would be MSNBC. ---- Me
Gandoff
November 13, 2009 - 05:58 ET by FreemarketsaveslivesYou know Ian, You ruined "Lord Of The Rings" for me. Mr Mckellen, Us conservative's like art, music and don't have a problem with gay's. But english bone smoker's who constantly tell us how to run our country, Thats a problem. So put a #$& in it and shut up. Why is it you old queens have to push you're disgusting crap? Let me ask ALL you folks reading this, Would you let Ian and his bum chum take your boy camping? I thought not. Next time your see Ian, throw a boot in his hobbit hole. Fairy.
Freedom
November 13, 2009 - 10:23 ET by grumpyoldbFreedom is the ability to become anything you want in life, and reap the rewards of your effort. Or to fail, if you do not put forth your best effort.
People that have grown up in socialist countries (such as England) where almost everything is handed to you by the government fail to understand this.
Having a government that can give you everything you need is not freedom, it is slavery at it's worst.
"Any government big enough to give you everything you need, is big enough to take everything you have" T.Jefferson.