Fans have clamored for the DVD release of Dune since the format’s inception. Before, it could only have been seen via television or bootleg copies. Universal has released the “television version” of David Lynch’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel Dune.
David Lynch’s original edit was almost three hours long, but he was ordered to cut its theatrical version of 137 minutes. It was later re-edited for television, which Lynch objected to. The 177-minute extended cut is now referred to as the “Alan Smithee version” - Alan Smithee refers to the pseudonym given by directors to films that the directors no longer want to associate themselves with.
Set thousands of years in the future, the universe is controlled by a galactic empire headed by Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV (José Ferrer) of the Imperial House Corrino. Among the other Great Houses are the House Atreides and House Harkonnen, who are mortal enemies. The House Atriedes is led by Duke Leto Atreides (Jürgen Prochnow), his wife Lady Jessica (Francesca Annis) and their son Paul (Kyle MacLachlan). The Atreides supplant the Harkonnens, led by the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Kenneth McMillan), as stewards of the desert planet Arrakis (also known as Dune) - the only source of the precious spice melange that is essential to everything in the universe. The spice is crucial to the two remaining thought schools: the Spacing Guild and the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood.
Without getting too deep into plot and summary, controlling Arrakis means controlling the spice and the universe. Everyone has a vested interest in maintaining the spice production. As Paul grows, he learns that he must make crucial decisions regarding the spice and, in turn, fulfill the greatest prophecy in order to bring peace to the universe.
Kyle MacLachlan is amazing as Paul, the young son who must rise above huge odds to protect his namesake and fight his mortal enemies. Paul grows from a sensitive and eager boy to a bold and confident man. Paul can be seen as a Christ-like messiah figure, leading the Fremen - native inhabitants of Arrakis - to retake their planet from the empire’s control.
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Article comments
1 - Catana
Dune is such a bad movie that I'm not sure why an extended version would be an improvement. "Fat" actors, horrible special effects (remember those floating blue eyes?), and a total bastardization of the plot. Kyle McLachlan was not only completely unsuited to the role of Paul, his acting chops are middling at best. Pace David Lynch, but this was pure Hollywood, not Frank Herbert.
Oh yes! Sets and costumes were great.
2 - Susan R-G
For all of his idiosyncratic eccentricities, I have been a fan of David Lynch since his first short film The Alphabet, which I saw many years after its creation, followed by a viewing of Eraserhead that cemented my disturbed fascination with Lynch. I have Dune on VHS and DVD, but will definitely have to own this new extended collection.
3 - Tan The Man
Horrible special effects... you must remember that this movie was made in 1984 and I think given the technology available, the effects team did a pretty good job.
4 - Baronius
Extra Dune? I want the 137 minutes back, not to add to them. I remember the visuals as impressive, but the movie was outrageously bad. The cartoonishly good people versus the cartoonishly bad people (with the cartoonishly corrupt people on the sidelines).
5 - Chip Spear
The miniseries is actually terrific. This version is a mess. Go to Amazon and pick up the 5 hour series plus the sequel, Children of Dune, if you want a fun sci-fi adventure. It is quite true to the book and the acting is pretty good. Chani is not great, but passable, the Baron is fabulously nasty and gross. It is basically good fun, unlike the movie here.
6 - Rhandy
You all are so wrong, the movie is in everyway better than the mini-series. I can not comprehend your lack of taste, the movie's set,costumes,props.. everything was simply amazing. You are all hypocrits if you bash on the movies special effects when the mini series had the worst cgi ever in a series. Regardless of the other problems with the film, i do not believe there will ever be another movie to match it artisticly.