Frank Herbert's Dune (2000)

It's a mixed blessing, but Frank Herbert's Dune goes a long way toward satisfying science fiction purists who scoffed at David Lynch's previous attempt to adapt Herbert's epic narrative. Ironically, director John Harrison's 288-minute TV miniseries (broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel in December 2000) offers its own share of strengths and weaknesses, which, in retrospect, emphasize the quality of Lynch's film while treating Herbert's novel with more comprehensive authority. Debate will continue as to which film is better; Lynch's extensive use of internal monologue now seems like a challenge well met, and Harrison's more conventional approach is better equipped to convey the epic scope of Herbert's interplanetary political intrigue.

This much is certain: this Dune is a sumptuous treat for the eyes, with sets and costumes that were conceived with no apparent limits of budget or creativity. In terms of architecture alone, this is one of the most impressive films in science fiction history. And although the special effects fall short of feature-film quality, writer-director Harrison (who rose from an extensive background in TV) admirably tames the sprawling narrative that pits the opposing houses of Atreides and Harkonnen in a struggle to control the lucrative market for the spice melange. This is as accurate as any Dune adaptation is likely to get (i.e., there's no need for another attempt), and even then, it can be tricky to keep track of who's doing what to whom. Unfortunately, the film's biggest flaws are the casting of a nearly comatose William Hurt as Duke Leto, and a wooden Alec Newman as the messiah-to-be, Paul Atreides. These are regrettable shortcomings, but this Dune remains altogether respectable. That Frank Herbert would be impressed is perhaps the biggest compliment one can pay. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Nicely Done

While this version is still a bit campy like the original Dune movie it also covers more of the material (due to its length). If you're a fan of the story it might be worth your time to give it a watch. June 26, 2008

An excellent science fiction class.

Dune is an accurate re-telling of the original story written by Frank Herbert. In some ways, it is more accurate than the earlier film directed in the 1970's. Dune is unlike many other science-fiction thrillers in its lack of extra-terrestrial alien species; most of the "alien" life in the film presents itself in the form of gargantuan, sand-burrowing worms, or perhaps as the spice-evolved Spacing Guild. Even the native Arrackian inhabitants known as the Fremen are more or less human, having been descended from religious settlers who travelled to the planet long ago.

All-in-all, this movie is a fantastic production of Dune. Every Herbert reader should watch this and also its sequel, Children of Dune. Most unfortunately, these two films only occupy a relatively small time span within the Herbert's entire literary Duniverse, focusing mostly upon the legacy of Duke Leto Atreides, his son Paul, Paul's son Leto II. The films do not even touch upon much of the overall Dune saga, and could never possibly begin to go in-depth on the saga's rich prehistory including the beginnings of the Cymek invasion and the Butlerian Jihad. Also, the film does not present an accurate foretelling of the eventual ultimate outcome of the Dune saga, presented in the Brian Herbert book God Emporer of Dune.

Dune fans: Watch this film. Buy it if possible. You will laud it. June 23, 2008

brilliant

I bought this dvd for my husband he thought it was brilliant! He is a real big fan of DUNE.
He had read the book which was jam packed full of detail and this one was the closest to the book, not like the original one he has on video.
To all Dune fans this a must watch movie! June 21, 2008

Good movie

Shipping was fast. Got this to replace a vhs. Lots of extra footage. What else can I say. May 30, 2008

Makes an excellent set of coasters.

The "Dune" miniseries was absolutely, irredeemably horrible. I'm actually proud of myself that I made it through all the way to the end - in the same way that I'm proud of myself whenever I clean the bathroom, or take a particularly lengthy poop. Frankly, I think I deserve a medal.

Just by way of contrast, the David Lynch film was interesting, unusual and daring. I'm not sure it was actually any good, but it was a appreciably strong attempt. It had a few issues - an incomprehensible plot, a painful performance for Paul Atreides and sweet God - Sting?! - but it was a gutsy try at doing credit to the book.

This series managed not only to avoid to keep these same flaws, but also find a few dozen new ones to throw into the mix.

The leads were all just... not very good. In some cases, the casting ranged all the way to the outright terrible. If "Dune" was supposed to be a credible attempt at the book, there were a couple things that slipped by entirely. Paul, for example, is young. And Bene Gesserit just don't cry. Ever. Jessica should not be portrayed by a sniveling, doe-eyed woman, who alternate bawls with tears and loses her temper. Even more shockingly, she's clearly afraid most of the time - which is, for fans of the book, a serious breach of the ethos.

The special effects were terrible - a flying leap backwards from the Lynch film. Most shots looked like they were taken in front of oversized stills from the original movie, and the desert scenes were straight out of 'King Solomon's Mines'.

The plot, as I mentioned, was still incomprehensible. In a bid for legitimacy, lots of minor-but-authentic (Fenring) characters were added in an attempt to counterbalance the butchery of the major ones. But if you're going to introduce the many thousands of factions of Herbert's universe, you've actually got to provide a little more background - and that's not just one badly animated Man-bat scene for the Guild. The Bene Gesserit were equally ridiculous, looking like Cirque du Soleil rejects, as they wandered around aimlessly.(Crying and being afraid... did anyone read the book?!).

May 16, 2008

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