Dune (1984)

[Dave]

Dune. (1984) 140 minutes.

Directed by David Lynch.

http://uk.imdb.com/Title?0087182

It is impossible to do justice to the epic Frank Herbert novel in 140 minutes. This film makes a bold attempt, but ultimately fails, for that reason.

It fairly well covers the plot – In the distant future, a man appears who may be the prophet that a long-suffering galaxy has been waiting for. Armies from several planets and other interested parties, descend on the desert planet Arrakis, in 10191 which has valuable spice 'Melange' guarded by giant worms, and a inhabited by a race of reclusive ‘Fremen’ natives.

However, in order to make the exciting battle scenes and the killer robot-probe thing scene (which it does well), it has to leave out much of the political intrigue. As a result, a throng of characters, who are not properly introduced, and are mostly irrelevant in the film, immensely complicates the plot. It also cost nearly 50 million US Dollars to make and was a box-office flop. Some scenes are inaudible, invisible (due to poor lighting) and without having read the book first, incomprehensible.

On the other hand the book itself, is fairly difficult to follow, so attempting this film at all was an achievement.

Francesca Annis, Jose Ferrer, Sian Philips, Brad Dourif, Dean Stockwell, Freddie Jones, Linda Hunt, Kenneth McMillan, Richard Jordan, Kyle MacLachlan, Silvana Mangano, Jurgen Prochnow, Max Von Sydow, Sting.

‘Huge, hollow, imaginative and cold’ Variety.

[Dave]

This is a 'Dune' site - Welcome to Museum Arakeen:
http://www.fremen.org/museum/

It has a links page with other sites, though many links were broken and many are in French. Je ne comprendes pas.

[FarscapeX7]

I haven't had much luck talking to anyone about Dune on other boards, so I thought I'd try here. Has anyone else seen the original David Lycnch version. I thought it was fantastic and I hope to read the book sometime in the fute. I thought the plot was excellent and whover played Paul and Leto Atreides did wonderful jobs. I also enjoyed Seeing Patrick Stewart as Gurney Halleck.

[Vera]

David Lynch version wasn't bad but I think it's almost impossible put such a kind of book into one film. It seems to me that if you didn't read the book first, you'll not understand the film.

[King Donut]

This is one of my fave movies!!! is the mini-sseries good?

[Tabitha]

Yep, the mini is pretty good, but very very very different to the movie. It's closer to the book, but good in it's own way. You should give it a look-see. I posted a poll comparing the two (further down this forum) but no one seemed interested in replying

I think I actually saw the original Dune in the cinema when it came out - me and the three other people that paid! I don't know why it got so badly slated, I thought it was great. I suppose it might not have made much sense if you hadn't reaf the book.

[Dave]

That was me in the row behind you!

It's still a good film, there is just too much in the book to fit into one film. They tried very hard to put everything in it, but it was the character development that suffered, so you have different characters appearing without any explanation of who they are. I think this is a film where you really need to read the book first.

[Tabitha]

I remember the whole thing about using that 'sound' to make weapons more damaging was a bit crazy - you know, when Paul is training the other Fremen? It had nothing to do with the book and was just plain confusing.

I did like how they portrayed the force shields, and I have to admit that the image of an oiled-up Sting in nothing but a codpiece has seared itself into my memory :blush:

[darkjedi77]

I loved the movie but couldn't stand the mini series that aried on the sci-fi channel, it was way too different from the film. It had so many cool actors in it and sand worms were my favorite.

[Stryker]

Originally posted by King Donut
This is one of my fave movies!!! is the mini-sseries good?

Dune 1984 is one of my favorites too.

With all the new ones out, it is now one of the grandfathers of science fiction movies IMO.

The movie remake was good and the series was good also.

You can't tell a FH fan of the first order anything different.

Got so busy lost track of reading all the books but will start back soon ( fingers crossed).


Stryker

[imported_inca]

What I enjoyed about the original film is mainly the costumes, they looked familiar and odd at the same time, something beyond earth. In the series it gave an impression of watching bediuns berebers.

[imported_inca]

Oop! Beduins!

[MARKLS21]

The original movie is superb,with special editions now avaible on dvd,with extra scenes.The mini-series would have been ok if they hadn't made the movie first,as it overshadowed the tv version.

[carrie221]

I adored this movie from the first time that I saw it. Like a lot of you I really didn't care for the miniseries as it just did not meet up to my expectations. I think that the movie did a much better job of portraying the book.

[steve12553]

Both the 1984 movie and the miniseries showed a lot of respect for the material. At this point in time, I still think that the book(s) are nearly unfilmable. I enjoyed both attempts but having read the book twice by 1984 and a couple times since, I always knew what waas happening. Someone less familiar with the book(s) would not have a chance of understanding the movies. Many of you know exactly what I'm talking about.