From the press release: The wait is finally over! The highly anticipated two-hour television event takes place in Africa (shot on location) where Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is working at a school in Africa. He is called upon to stop a ruthless warlord from drafting innocent children into his murderous militia. At home, it’s inauguration day for President-elect Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) while malevolent mastermind Jonas Hodges (Jon Voight) fans the flames of the international crisis. Setting the stage and raising the stakes for the upcoming season, Bauer faces decisions and sacrifices that will change his life forever in the heart-pounding 24: REDEMPTION.

Trust me, you do not want to miss this TV movie. I was very lucky to be able to preview 24: Redemption in full last month and, as a diehard 24 fan, I loved it. The movie is a bit of a depature from the usual 24 fare but it really does set up the next season very nicely. Having seen the TV movie already, I’m even more excited for the next season to get underway … I suspect that y’all will feel the same after you watch the prequel movie when it airs this coming Sunday night. Jack Bauer is back, bitches! Finally!!!

[Photo credit: Splash News]

From the press release: Last spring, FOX announced that after a nearly two-year hiatus, 24 would return to the airwaves with 24: REDEMPTION, an unprecedented two-hour television event shot on location in South Africa and Los Angeles. Now as the producers ready this epic tale for broadcast, they are unveiling a never-before-seen collection of stunning photographs shot by five members of the show’s creative team during the overseas filming. “24: REDEMPTION – Captured in Africa” is a rare inside look at the making of the show composed of candid moments between cast and crew, including Emmy Award-winner Kiefer Sutherland; dramatic stills from the spectacular action sequences; and vivid photographic captures of the scenic South African locations. The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles will host the one-of-a-kind photo exhibit of fine art museum quality archival prints from Nov. 10, 2008 through Jan. 11, 2009, when it may move on to additional venues to be announced later. Curated by Entertainment Weekly deputy photo director Michael Kochman and custom printed at DigitalFusion’s fine art printing facility, the exhibit features works by executive producer/director Jon Cassar, director of photography Rodney Charters, producer Michael Klick, unit photographer Kelsey McNeal and star/executive producer Kiefer Sutherland. “I was so impressed with the quality of the photography, and it was exciting to see a production photographed from five different perspectives,” said Kochman. “Each photographer captured something very special and poetic – sometimes intimate, sometimes epic, sometimes documentary-like and raw. It all adds up to a fascinating photographic experience.” “Shooting 24: REDEMPTION in South Africa was the highlight of my six years on the show,” said 24 executive producer and Emmy Award-winning director Jon Cassar. “It was nothing short of exhilarating. Africa also became a wonderful canvas for the still photography enthusiasts among our crew. Every day put us in places and situations that were new and exciting to us, and our cameras clicked constantly. This exhibit chronicles the seven weeks that were spent in Cape Town and the surrounding regions from moments captured during a hectic shooting schedule to the faces and places that represent not only the making of 24 but the Africa of today.”

After the jump, check out a few of the photos that will be on display in this new exhibit …

Photobucket has been chosen as the premier online destination for the behind-the-scenes photographs that were taken during filming of 24: Redemption. 24 fans and photo enthusiasts overall can visit this special Photobucket album HERE to view select photographs from the full photo exhibit at The Paley Center, as well as additional photographs which are available for viewing only online. I was very impressed when I watched 24: Redemption in full a couple of weeks ago and am as impressed with the photography shot on location in South Africa included in this exhibit. Check out the Photobucket album and see for yourself. There are a some great photos in there. I might have to make my way to The Paley Center before January 11 to see the full size photos in person.

[Photo credit: Wireimage, Photobucket]

I have no intention of spoiling anything from the TV movie but I did a bit of live-Twittering as I watched last night. I didn’t make reference to anything that hasn’t already been reported about the prequel or the coming season 7 of the series. 24: Redemption has a bit of a different feel from the regular series, but the action does take place between the hours of 3PM and 5PM on the Inauguration Day of a new president. I now understand that season 7 will take place “many months” after Inauguration Day between the hours of 8AM and 8AM. You see a real soft side to Jack Bauer in this prequel movie … I am confident that 24 fans will be very pleased, not only with the movie itself but with the set-up for the coming season. After the jump, check out the preview trailer for 24: Redemption …