Dune (1984)

[demoni]

Artwork:

[Majestyk]

I saw this on the first week it was released in the theaters. Almost half the audience fell asleep.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by bboisvert

I'm honestly surprised it was ever even released on DVD. Colleen Benn (from Universal) had long said that it would never be released.

I can't imagine there's a ton of support at Universal to release (and rerelease) a version of the film that's been actively disowned by a filmmaker of Lynch's caliber.


It's an interesting curiosity... some of the scenes are cool. But as a "film", it's a disaster. The editing is terrible.

Save for Lynch going back to create some sort of Director's Cut (hey, a guy can dream)... I'll stick with the 2hr17min theatrical.

I agree it's not a perfect movie by any stretch of the imagination, but as a kid my parents had recorded the extended version on VHS so that's what I was always accustomed to watching. Now when I try to watch the regular version of the movie it always feels like parts are missing.

[wvl]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Will this have the three versions of Dune or just the Theatrical and Extended?

I'm weird because I actually like the long version with all the drawings in the beginning.

Dune is one of my favorite movies.

Ditto, I am a big fan too... hope all 3 versions are shipped.

[jc480]

My favorite movie of all time! Thanks for the heads up on this. I've been waiting for this movie on BD for freaking ever

Very glad I didn't buy the french version of Dune. One of the few movies I would actually take the time to pre-order. Christmas comes in April!

[moshmothma]

Originally Posted by Steve

I agree it's not a perfect movie by any stretch of the imagination, but as a kid my parents had recorded the extended version on VHS so that's what I was always accustomed to watching. Now when I try to watch the regular version of the movie it always feels like parts are missing.

strongly recommend you all check out the fan edits. These are easily the best / most enjoyable versions of dune out there

[bboisvert]

Originally Posted by Majestyk

I saw this on the first week it was released in the theaters. Almost half the audience fell asleep.

I saw it opening night in 1984. Can't comment on the audience... I was too enthralled to poll the remaining viewers.

[MetalMike666]

With all the talk of the Theatrical vs. Extended versions, I looked in my DVD collection and forgot I had the Extended version in the tin case ... I only watched the extended version once a long time ago. But what is really funny is that will all the hate for Blu-ray flipper discs (myself included) I had forgotten that this DVD is a flipper also (Theatrical -Side A/Extended Side-B). Anyway, the release is only about a month away ... I'm looking forward to seeing this on Blu-ray.

[Lionel Horsepackage]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

According to all the pre-release info I've read today, it will not contain the extended cut. As much as it pains me, like with WATERWOLD, no extended cut, no buy from me. The extended cut, minor editing warts aside, is a monumentally better piece of work than the grossly truncated theatrical cut.

Agreed, though I'll still be purchasing this one, in the hopes that strong sales will eventually stimulate a release of the Extended Cut down the road. Yet another calculated, fanboy-bilking double-dip from Universal...

Originally Posted by Lincoln6Echo

I've got the DVD release that contains both versions and I watched the theatrical version first and put off the extended cut for a long time. Finally got around to watching the extended cut and what a mess. So many things were changed, from the music to the opening sequence. But it seems like they just used a mish mash of editing room floor clippings. I know it isn't quite like that, but if you thought the EEs of the LOTR trilogy had pacing issues, this is a mess.

And I'm someone who always wanted to see the extended cut ever since the film was available on home media.

Respectfully have to disagree, there...the minor unnecessary bits and pieces aside, the legitimate added footage does serve to flesh out the film's narrative and character arcs, and in many respects is apparently closer to what Lynch actually intended, going by several interviews he's given.

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

Still hoping they decide to make a mini-series out of God Emperor of Dune, I like how the SyFy channel has handled the story of Arrakis so far.

John Harrison apparently completed a screenplay for God Emperor of Dune for a proposed third Sci-Fi Channel mini-series several years ago (along with one for Heretics of Dune), but both were ultimately declined by the network, who co-produced the first two with foreign backers.

Originally Posted by BaronVH

The extended version is amazing in its awfulness. I am talking about the version where Stan Lee narrates. It has to be seen to be believed. Alan Smithee indeed.

It's not Stan Lee narrating the extended cut -- his name was revealed a few years back, but it's not Lee. I've never minded the Extended Edition's narration, personally.

[HumanMedia]

Originally Posted by Lionel Horsepackage

Respectfully have to disagree, there...the minor unnecessary bits and pieces aside, the legitimate added footage does serve to flesh out the film's narrative and character arcs, and in many respects is apparently closer to what Lynch actually intended, going by several interviews he's given.

That would be true for the Fan Edit, but definitely not the Alan Smithee extended cut, thats why Lynch disowned.

[bboisvert]

Originally Posted by Lionel Horsepackage

John Harrison apparently completed a screenplay for God Emperor of Dune for a proposed third Sci-Fi Channel mini-series several years ago (along with one for Heretics of Dune), but both were ultimately declined by the network, who co-produced the first two with foreign backers.

Do you have a site/source for this? I'm not doubting you, but I'd love to read more about it. My understanding was that both of the Dune miniseries were pretty succesful (both ratings-wise and later on DVD), so I was surprised they didn't continue with them. Especially since they wouldn't need to retain the existing cast when they moved on to God Emperor and could essentially start fresh. And since Sci-Fi is one of the publishers of the 'new' Dune novels, I would think the cross-promotion alone would warrant continuing the series.

Then again, little of what Sci-Fi (ugh, Syfy) does makes sense to me.

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by X12Celtics3

Dune is my least favorite Lynch film. I just want Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, and Mulholland Dr, and all will be well with the world. Twin Peaks especially...

You forgot Lost Highway bud. That's a must have Lynch title as well.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by bboisvert

Do you have a site/source for this? I'm not doubting you, but I'd love to read more about it. My understanding was that both of the Dune miniseries were pretty succesful (both ratings-wise and later on DVD), so I was surprised they didn't continue with them. Especially since they wouldn't need to retain the existing cast when they moved on to God Emperor and could essentially start fresh. And since Sci-Fi is one of the publishers of the 'new' Dune novels, I would think the cross-promotion alone would warrant continuing the series.

Then again, little of what Sci-Fi (ugh, Syfy) does makes sense to me.

That really sucks, I love the house Atreides stories but I had a feeling about it all along.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by bboisvert

Do you have a site/source for this? I'm not doubting you, but I'd love to read more about it. My understanding was that both of the Dune miniseries were pretty succesful (both ratings-wise and later on DVD), so I was surprised they didn't continue with them. Especially since they wouldn't need to retain the existing cast when they moved on to God Emperor and could essentially start fresh. And since Sci-Fi is one of the publishers of the 'new' Dune novels, I would think the cross-promotion alone would warrant continuing the series.

Then again, little of what Sci-Fi (ugh, Syfy) does makes sense to me.

I also enjoyed the series (or rather mini series) and was surprised they did not go one. I had heard that ratings were good for them. I own both of them on DVD and enjoy watching them at least once a year.

[Adam.C]

I liked the rts video games more lol

[Lionel Horsepackage]

Bill Hunt and Adam Jahnke's review of the Dune BD is now up, over at The Digital Bits.

They say that the Blu-Ray picture quality is as good the previous HD-DVD release, but since I never got a chance to watch that version myself, I was wondering if the HD-DVD version was worth an upgrade over the "Extended Edition" DVD from 2006?

I've watched the theatrical cut in HD on television, and it looked leaps and bounds better than the 2006 transfer, so how does this one stack up now?

[slick1ru2]

Originally Posted by FendersRule

I've never been a reader as I prefer to just watch movies. However, watching Dune (1984) on HD-DVD numerous times has really spiked interest. There is such a vast world of Dune to explore, and I'm very tempted to grab this novel.

Maybe I didn't look close enough. I saw it at Hastings, noticed it's small size, flipped through it, and it looked pretty doable. Maybe I didn't look close enough.

My 7th grade teacher tried to force me into reading the original Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. Somehow, I was able to get out of that because at 7th grade for me, that book was impossible to read. I bet even now, I would despise even looking at it.

IF you start reading you can find many novels that are just infinitely better then the movies they later were made into. All the John Gresham movies for one. Jaws was a great book too. Relic was much better then the movie. The 13th Warrior was based on Eaters Of The Dead. Not many movies live up to the novel. One of the only I have seen that follows it almost word for word was Gettysburg based on The Killer Angels.

[bboisvert]

Originally Posted by Lionel Horsepackage

Bill Hunt and Adam Jahnke's review of the Dune BD is now up, over at The Digital Bits.

They say that the Blu-Ray picture quality is as good the previous HD-DVD release, but since I never got a chance to watch that version myself, I was wondering if the HD-DVD version was worth an upgrade over the "Extended Edition" DVD from 2006?

I've watched the theatrical cut in HD on television, and it looked leaps and bounds better than the 2006 transfer, so how does this one stack up now?

I've owned more versions of Dune on various formats than I could possibly count. The HD-DVD was, hands down, the best I've ever seen... like there were several times my jaw just dropped and I saw things that I didn't ever notice before.

Josh Zyber reviewed it and he knows his Dune: http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/25741/dune/

If the BD is like the HD-DVD, people are going to be *very* happy with this disc.

[kdo]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I also enjoyed the series (or rather mini series) and was surprised they did not go one. I had heard that ratings were good for them. I own both of them on DVD and enjoy watching them at least once a year.

+1...I personally thought both of the Sci-fi channel mini-series were better than the feature length film...

[Lionel Horsepackage]

Originally Posted by bboisvert

I've owned more versions of Dune on various formats than I could possibly count. The HD-DVD was, hands down, the best I've ever seen... like there were several times my jaw just dropped and I saw things that I didn't ever notice before.

Josh Zyber reviewed it and he knows his Dune: http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/25741/dune/

If the BD is like the HD-DVD, people are going to be *very* happy with this disc.

Sounds great -- I preordered this disc, like, the very second it went up on Amazon awhile back, so I'm stoked now. If it's even half as good-looking as the Universal HD version I caught on television a couple of years ago, terrific.

Still...Zyber sorta came off as kind of a snobby, dismissive, elitist douche in his review of the Sci-Fi Channel mini-series; as a longtime quasi-"Dune scholar" myself (and connoisseur of Frank Herbert's other, non-Dune works), I can reliably state that John Harrison's film doesn't "eviscerate" the original source material, nor does it grossly "misinterpret" the main characters in any conceivable way.

By switching over to a more naturalistic and filmically-effective narrative/dialogue format than Lynch's "inner monologues," Harrison automatically solves several of the major problems plaguing the 1984 film, and the mini-series is a more compelling piece of material by the end for it.