Discuss Dune

Like many on this website, I suspect, I did not see this film theatrically upon its initial release (I was a mere nine years old at the time, absorbed in Star Wars and Star Trek, and had no idea what "Dune" was). Instead, probably sometime in the 1990s, I saw it when it was finally broadcast on television, in particular, on the Sci-Fi (now SyFy) Channel here in the U.S.. Some years after this, I finally got around to reading all six of Frank Herbert's Dune books. And, unlike many "original" Dune fans, I found David Lynch's adaptation both forgivable in its modifications/deletions and enjoyable. I've never really understood why Mr. Lynch disowned it. It had fantastic costumes and set-design, a cast that was all-star for the time it was made, and an evil in the Baron (played by Kenneth McMillan) that was simply disgusting and repulsive, in a wartime environment that was savage and brutal-- far beyond the "prettied-up", bloodless combat of Star Wars, for example.

Don't get me wrong, Denis Villeneuve has done a far better job with his adaptation thus far, and I can't wait to see Part Two in the coming weeks (and especially the ever-engrossing, delicious Christopher Walken as the Emperor), but the first completed filmic adaptation of Dune was not without its merits.

Unfortunately, this rerelease will be of the 2.5-hour version, and not the much-improved three-hour cut, but I'll take it. I'll be seeing it on the 18th. Check it out if you so desire, for it's unlikely the opportunity will come around again anytime soon.

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I saw it in the theater when it first came out, I was excited because I had read the first 3 books. I wasn't completely disappointed but it could have been so much better. I thought Kyle MacLachlan was horribly miscast, too fleshy. I thought that Sting would have been a better Paul. When I saw Paul in my mind, even before they went to Arrakis, he was tall, not thin but also not fleshy, his hair was a dirty blond. I also thought that it could have been longer. And yes, McMillan's Baron was absolutely disgusting (I always cover my eyes when his scenes come up). I like Stellan Skarsgård but his Baron was boring.

I wonder if Lynch is still going to do a director's cut?

I thought the three-hour cut was the director's cut, but what do I know?

I have read that in recent years, Mr. Lynch's harsh attitude toward his Dune (1984) has softened somewhat.

@northcoast said:

I thought the three-hour cut was the director's cut, but what do I know?

I have read that in recent years, Mr. Lynch's harsh attitude toward his Dune (1984) has softened somewhat.

Here is an article from September 2023. He had NO hand in the 3-hour version, that was Universal Television.

https://www.ign.com/articles/dune-could-david-lynch-ever-release-a-directors-cut-of-his-disowned-film

I saw it theatrically, too. I'd read Dune and loved it, though I guess I was probably too young to pick up on its nuances as it wasn't until I saw the movie that I picked up on some bits. That said, I didn't realise that Paul was not necessarily a heroic figure until recent articles! I enjoyed the film, but was disappointed by the extended version. I liked the Villeneuve version, and I'm looking forward to Part Two, but I find his style emotionally detached.

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