Dune (1984)

[HotTastyChili]

Originally Posted by BluProofie

He doesn’t care about Dune, I don’t think he would forbid them from doing anything. He probably didn’t even oversee the original blu-ray.

He cared about it enough to demand to have his name taken off the extended cut done years ago. If another extended cut was made like the user I was quoting suggested, I don't see why he wouldn't do the same thing again. That's all I was saying. If Universal made a new cut, he would make a fuss about having his name taken off, and that would inevitably stir up bad press.

[JackForrester]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

The studio interference consisted of De Laurentiis demanding Lynch to deliver a two hour cut during post production, when Lynch had been shooting a three hour movie. They didn‘t interfere with the shoot itself, so until then Lynch has a free hand. What made it to the screen is pure Lynch, it’s just that the film ended up being narratively incoherent, because a third of the film ended up on the cutting room floor.

So in other words, I should watch the extended version first?

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by JackForrester

So in other words, I should watch the extended version first?

The extended version/tv cut is a mess too. They added stuff but also removed stuff as well.

Personally I'd recommend watching the theatrical cut first then the tv cut.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by JackForrester

So in other words, I should watch the extended version first?

That’s what I’d recommend since the two-hour Cliff’s Notes theatrical cut is too savagely sliced and diced for a novel as pregnant with plot and philosophy as the source material is. Besides, the stuff cut from it is pretty much just the most graphic violence. It’s a shame but a worthy loss in exchange for all that STORY back.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by JackForrester

So in other words, I should watch the extended version first?

From a diehard fan of this franchise I would approach Dune in this order:

Original novel
Extended Cut of the 1984 film
Theatrical Cut of the 1984 film
Sci-Fi Channel Miniseries
Children of Messiah (this one is really a mess IMHO)

Then if you are completely entralled I would read Herbert's remaining five books of the original set and then continue on with the his son's book that start with The Butlerian Jihad novel.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

From a diehard fan of this franchise I would approach Dune in this order:

Original novel
Extended Cut of the 1984 film
Theatrical Cut of the 1984 film
Sci-Fi Channel Miniseries
Children of Messiah (this one is really a mess IMHO.

Why the theatrical cut at all, if one has seen a fuller cut already? Not being combative; I’m honestly curious as to your thought process.

[hungrywives]

I've admittedly never read the novel but I watched the extended cut first and was bored out of my mind. After watching the theatrical cut I fell in love and, as blasphemous as this may be, it became one of my favorite David Lynch films. Just like when they handed out the "Terminology of the Imperium" leaflets at the theater and in video stores, with the TV cut the studio tried to make the film more comprehensible to the average moviegoer and ended up doing the exact opposite. It may be more true to the novel but the extended cut erases the beauty and the mystery of the theatrical version... but fans of the book seem to like it. I guess I'd say if you're a fan of the novel start with the TV version. If you're more a fan of Lynch start with theatrical. If you're a fan of neither maybe pass on the movie altogether.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

Why the theatrical cut at all, if one has seen a fuller cut already? Not being combative; I’m honestly curious as to your thought process.

Mainly because the theatrical cut does flow a bit better if you prefer a faster pace. I always tell people to start with the extended and then watch the theatrical to compare and contrast while making a preference.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by hungrywives

I've admittedly never read the novel but I watched the extended cut first and was bored out of my mind. After watching the theatrical cut I fell in love and, as blasphemous as this may be, it became one of my favorite David Lynch films. Just like when they handed out the "Terminology of the Imperium" leaflets at the theater and in video stores, with the TV cut the studio tried to make the film more comprehensible to the average moviegoer and ended up doing the exact opposite. It may be more true to the novel but the extended cut erases the beauty and the mystery of the theatrical version... but fans of the book seem to like it. I guess I'd say if you're a fan of the novel start with the TV version. If you're more a fan of Lynch start with theatrical. If you're a fan of neither maybe pass on the movie altogether.

I disagree. While there are a few things I don't like about the extended cut it does wonders for the following:

Gurney
The worms and the water of life
Feyd
Stilgar

[hungrywives]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I disagree. While there are a few things I don't like about the extended cut it does wonders for the following:

Gurney
The worms and the water of life
Feyd
Stilgar

I don't necessarily disagree with you but that extended narration is such a rough slog of a way to start the viewer off on their journey. The theatrical version has a perfect opening. I might also add the unfinished blue eye effects really are a problem.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by hungrywives

I don't necessarily disagree with you but that extended narration is such a rough slog of a way to start the viewer off on their journey. The theatrical version has a perfect opening. I might also add the unfinished blue eye effects really are a problem.

See, I don’t agree with your first point, but I understand and respect it. But saying it’s worth losing a whopping 40 minutes of footage simply because a few effects shots weren’t finished? That’s lunacy to me.

[Rayjg]

The extended ending featured in the deleted scenes on the DVD and Blu-ray actually has the tinted eyes so it must’ve been a last minute deletion. It didn’t make it into the TV cut because it featured a heart-plug pull. Raffaella de Laurentiis discusses in the deleted scenes intro how Lynch wrote and shot the water of life scene featured in the film to replace other cut scenes and to shorten the film. I wonder if this was done after production wrapped or if it occurred during production when they had a change of heart about its length. You can see glimpses of the original version in her intro but she talks over it.

[hungrywives]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

See, I don’t agree with your first point, but I understand and respect it. But saying it’s worth losing a whopping 40 minutes of footage simply because a few effects shots weren’t finished? That’s lunacy to me.

Yeah, but 39 of those 40 minutes are that opening narration. At least that's what it feels like. Oof. Hey, I'm not saying there isn't good, even great, stuff
in the TV version. Lynch seems to always cut great scenes out of his movies but there's a reason he took his name off the TV version. Just because a scene is in and of itself great doesn't mean it helps the film as a whole. Although, you have inspired me to track down and watch the extended version again. A friend borrowed my DVD steelbook a decade ago and I haven't seen it or him since.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by hungrywives

friend borrowed my DVD steelbook a decade ago and I haven't seen it or him since.

Sounds like a Harkonnen.

[hungrywives]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

Sounds like a Harkonnen.

I kinda sorta might have slept with his ex a little bit so I might be the Harkonnen on this one... and unfortunately not Sting.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by hungrywives

I kinda sorta might have slept with his ex a little bit so I might be the Harkonnen on this one... and unfortunately not Sting.

[HotTastyChili]

I say watch the theatrical cut first because it came first chronologically. Watching it first might help you appreciate the additional scenes in the extended cut. The extended cut just doesn't feel polished or official, and the director took his name off of it so there's that. I prefer the theatrical cut.

[bryantburnette]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

and then continue on with the his son's book that start with The Butlerian Jihad novel.

The continuation novels are dreck. They possess about a hundredth of the genius found in the actual series; Brian Herbert ain't no Frank Herbert, that's for sure.

[drush9999]

Surprised people like that godawful TV extended cut.
The narration over explaining everything while scrolling & zooming paintings, repeated SFX footage etc. The actual extra proper footage is interesting I'll give you. But the rest is garbage.

I would suggest the Spicediver extended edit instead of the crappy TV version.

[bigrob]

so the upcoming French BD from ESC is touting a 'new master' but not a 4K master (which we know Koch Media and Universal are apparently working). Considering France has been using the newer HD master and not the older dirtier version that Universal originally used, make me wonder what this new release will bring to the table.

FYI, I collect multiple editions of Dune.