The Prisoner, the most mentally-brilliant television series on Planet Earth, could be headed for a feature film version of the 1960s British TV classic. According to Deadline Hollywood, Ridley Scott (Alien, Prometheus, Blade Runner, The Martian) is ‘in negotiations’ to direct the forthcoming big screen adaptation. Scott is set to begin work on Alien: Covenant in the not-too-distant future but there doesn’t seem to be anything on is calendar after that.

The original series, which was both created by and starred Patrick McGoohan as ‘The Prisoner’, known only as Number Six, and ran for only 17 episodes, tells the story of a former government agent who abruptly resigns from his job and finds himself imprisoned in an idyllic yet bizarre seaside village isolated from the world by the sea and mountains.

“The Village” is run by No. 2, who desperately needs to know why he resigned his position. Unfortunately, the newly named No. 6 can’t escape because he knows too much, but that doesn’t stop others trying to capture him for his knowledge.

In addition to the identity of No. 2 changing from week to week, numerous well-known actors had guest roles in the series including Leo McKern (Rumpole of the Bailey), Peter Bowles (To the Manor Born) and Paul Eddington (Good Life and Yes, Minister).

Originally broadcast during 1967-68 and even counting The Beatles as avid fans, this brilliant series’ location filming was done mostly in Portmeirion in North Wales. If you’re packing your bags, that’s 1 and 1/2 miles south of Porthmadog and 1 and 1/2 miles west of Penrhyndeudraeth, just off the main road at Minffordd.

Today, Portmeirion still remains true to “the village” look of the series. The surreal architecture and Mediterranean feel of the village was the vision of Welsh architect, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, who acquired the desolate coastal village in 1926 for 5,000 pounds. You can stay at the Portmeirion Hotel, stroll through gardens and dine in numerous restaurants.

Portmeirion is a bit like the Hotel California. You can checkout any time you like but you can never leave. If you do decide to leave, however, make sure you know just where the bouncing ball is.