Dune (1984)

[TylerDurden]

Gonna use my other $5 coupon on this title.

[Mordir]

I enjoyed the movie but once was enough for me so if I do ever watch it again it would be borrowed.

[Alexias_dad]

Cant wait for this to come out, saw it once on tv and really liked it. only thing i new about it was the shai hulud cause i use to listen to the band with same name.

[bboisvert]

Originally Posted by Lionel Horsepackage

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.

I think we're going to have to agree to disagree here. I personally think one of the major flaws of Lynch's version is the initial setup... that you need to take time to present the worlds, conflicts, players in order for the drama that comes later to have impact.

I thought that Lynch did a mediocre job at that.

Harrison, on the other hand, did a TERRIBLE job of it.


Both versions have their respective merits. And both improve radically in Acts 2 and 3. But I think Harrison had a real chance to tell a great story and completely screwed the pooch by making even more (if different) narrative goofs. Neither version explains what's going on with any degree of craft, so without the novel as background, you're left scratching your heads until the somewhat-standard messiah/action sequences start up later in the film. Then it becomes some good v. evil stuff that people can relate to.

The ultimate version of Dune still only exists on the printed page (and in my mind). All of the intrigue and nuance of the novel is left behind in *both* adaptations.


Regardless, I enjoy both for what they are. And I actually think the mini follow-up (Children of Dune) is pretty impressive.

[Travis]

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?

Thanks for the review link. Cannot wait!

[BaronVH]

My big issue with the Harrison version is in the production values. To me it seems like the production values are on the same level as a daytime soap opera. The show was respectful to the book, and the adaption was OK, but it is completely unwatchable to me due to production values alone.

On the other hand, the Lynch version had huge production values, but strayed in really strange ways. I hate the "weirding modules" and the fact that

[Show spoiler]it rained at the end of

the movie. Alia reminds me on the Star Trek episode with Clint Howard in it. However, it has the feel of the book. The tone is spot on. I have to say I greatly prefer the Lynch version, but I would love an HBO miniseries or something that can tell the story without concessions.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by bboisvert

[Show spoiler]I think we're going to have to agree to disagree here. I personally think one of the major flaws of Lynch's version is the initial setup... that you need to take time to present the worlds, conflicts, players in order for the drama that comes later to have impact.

I thought that Lynch did a mediocre job at that.

Harrison, on the other hand, did a TERRIBLE job of it.


Both versions have their respective merits. And both improve radically in Acts 2 and 3. But I think Harrison had a real chance to tell a great story and completely screwed the pooch by making even more (if different) narrative goofs. Neither version explains what's going on with any degree of craft, so without the novel as background, you're left scratching your heads until the somewhat-standard messiah/action sequences start up later in the film. Then it becomes some good v. evil stuff that people can relate to.

The ultimate version of Dune still only exists on the printed page (and in my mind). All of the intrigue and nuance of the novel is left behind in *both* adaptations.


Regardless, I enjoy both for what they are. And I actually think the mini follow-up (Children of Dune) is pretty impressive.

I actually loved the mini-series, even if it also left a lot out. I thought it gave us a good Fremen home world and I liked the way it handled the Atreides and Harkonnen rivalry. I also thought Irulan and Chani were quite gorgeous.

[Monroville]

What is up with these blu-ray releases containing LESS extras than the dvd releases? Okay, they don't want to spend the money to license the docs on the overseas DUNE dvds... but they can't put in the production photos or the extended edition (even if it is the previous dvd quality release)? BAH I say!

[yoxodo]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Stormcrow

I actually loved the mini-series, even if it also left a lot out. I thought it gave us a good Fremen home world and I liked the way it handled the Atreides and Harkonnen rivalry. I also thought Irulan and Chani were quite gorgeous.

Quoted for truth. The girl that played Irulan in both of the minis was FINE. She had the wrong hair color though...Irulan is supposed to be blonde, but oh well. Also the chick that played Alia in Children of Dune - i'd throw her a bone, too.

[DaViD Boulet]

I don't have the HD DVD but I do have the import blu-ray version which I'll compare. I should have the DUNE BD in my hand tomorrow and I'll post my review at dvdfile as soon as possible.

[Lionel Horsepackage]

Originally Posted by Monroville

What is up with these blu-ray releases containing LESS extras than the dvd releases? Okay, they don't want to spend the money to license the docs on the overseas DUNE dvds... but they can't put in the production photos or the extended edition (even if it is the previous dvd quality release)? BAH I say!

Universal has long been notorious for milking the "double-dip" strategy, and it's clear that they deliberately left the Extended Cut and some of the other extras off in order to re-package and re-sell this film to us in another five years' time.

Their recent Waterworld BD release followed exactly this same strategy, and I'd put money on them doing the same thing to Peter Jackson's The Frighteners (and Spielberg's Jaws) down the road, too.

They LOVE those multiple bites at the apple.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by Monroville

What is up with these blu-ray releases containing LESS extras than the dvd releases? Okay, they don't want to spend the money to license the docs on the overseas DUNE dvds... but they can't put in the production photos or the extended edition (even if it is the previous dvd quality release)? BAH I say!

Or in other cases (like The Thing) Universal releases it without extras in the U.S., but loaded in the UK.

Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet

I don't have the HD DVD but I do have the import blu-ray version which I'll compare. I should have the DUNE BD in my hand tomorrow and I'll post my review at dvdfile as soon as possible.

Where is it from? Does it have extras?

[kuliddar]

Well I like both the film and the mini-series. Two perspective of the same story. I haven't seen Children of Dune though so I can't say about that one.

In any case, I'm not getting this blu-ray for the simple fact that the extended edition is not on the disc. Universal went with the the extended edition coverart to confuse people. I'm sticking with my cool edition on DVD for now.

[csdot]

review up on dvdbeaver, screens look beautiful. this went from a maybe to a definite buy.
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film3/blu-r...ne_blu-ray.htm

[miller_time22]

Originally Posted by csdot

review up on dvdbeaver, screens look beautiful. this went from a maybe to a definite buy.
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film3/blu-r...ne_blu-ray.htm

Wow, looks awesome. Thanks for posting that review.

[Lionel Horsepackage]

Holy shit. Cannot believe the differences in those pics. And a totally new transfer from the HD-DVD version, it seems. (Is the UK comparison-transfer shown there the same one that's on the 2006 "Extended Cut" DVD?)

Either way...c'mon, April 27th.

[reanimator]

As a child of the 80s, I'm ashamed to admit I've never seen this all the way through. After seeing those caps, this will be DOPNOV (day-one purchase/night-one viewing.)

That's right, I just coined the phrase "DOPNOV"

[P@t_Mtl]

Great review, look's like Universal as done another great job on a catalogue release.

[yoxodo]

Originally Posted by reanimator

As a child of the 80s, I'm ashamed to admit I've never seen this all the way through. After seeing those caps, this will be DOPNOV (day-one purchase/night-one viewing.)

That's right, I just coined the phrase "DOPNOV"

DOPNOV for me too! Hopefully we'll get both minis soon as well. I'd DOPNOV the hell outta those!

[Lionel Horsepackage]

Yeah, both Sci-Fi Channel minis would be DOPWOMOV for me, too.

("DOPWOMOV" = "Day of Purchase/Week or Month of Viewing," considering their sheer length, and my lack of free-time availability. )