This Dune film was a formative part of my childhood mental development. As janky and insane as it is, and as many liberties as it takes with the source material, I still love it. Francesca Annis basically formed my attraction for older women with strikingly beautiful eyes. That scene where she walks into the room to see that Paul survived the Gom jabar, and the full screen closeup made my little brain go "....oh....ok yeah, I like that and would like to know more please" xD Later on when they introduced Chani, and Sean Young had those glowing blue eyes illuminating her face, further solidified that attraction for me. The Weirding Way was the closest thing I had to a religious belief as a kid, and the general philosophy and species outlook of Dune shaped my worldview for the rest of my life. It's got it's problems, the film, but it's one I will always love, and never forget. LONG LIVE THE FIGHTERS!! ✊
Amazing review! I saw this the first time on HBO back in the day. They played the heck out of it! It is an amazing film but it does have those issues. I always thought that if they took the scope of this film and added the mini-series, it would be perfect. I love the latest edition and am so going to see part 2 in IMAX. I hope they bring back the first in IMAX as well. Had to miss due to that thing we had to deal with.
Its such a weird film and the pacing is awful (mostly in the third act) but I still can't help but love it. It gets better the more you watch it. I will always wonder how the film would've turned out if the studio didn't mess with Lynch's vision. Great job on the video. Really enjoy your content.
My uncle took me to see it when I was 10. He was a huge fan of the book. After it was over, he apologized for taking me to it. We went to the bookstore in the same mall and he bought me a hardcover copy of Herbert's novel. He handed it to me and said THIS IS DUNE, NOT THAT MOVIE. I still own it. (for the record, I liked the movie and still do)
Essentially the same story but with my father. The movie works for me in a lot of ways. For me, it really captures the epic feel of the story- what's happening on Arrakis is determining the fate of humanity, and the desert visuals and the Toto score really give the feel that something huge is going on.
Particulary on the "grand scale" look and feel of the movie, a small part of the musical theme when Paul and his mom are scaping in the desert, as well as some parts of the character's clothing. And yes, the idea that the Baron Harkonnen can float at great heights to make himself imposing instead of just hovering over the ground like in the novel.@@personzorz
Indeed. Villeneuve had the benefit of splitting the movie in two, but instead of ending logically with the attack on the Atreides, and fleshing-out more of the personal drama while they were taking-over from the Harkonnens (much of which Lynch actually DID film, and was cut for the studio's time demands), Villeneuve played the story just as brief and weirdly added unnecessary, meandering desert scenes, to end at a very odd point. (This is not to say that I hate the new version, although I think it's inferior, but to point out that it plays very 'safe' with taking Lynch's pacing for inspiration.)
@@fernandozavaletabustos205 I don't know - Villenueve is that kind of director anyway, probably why he was chosen. Much of his work has a grand sense of scale, most notably Blade Runner 2 and Arrival... The source material evokes that sense of scale - any director worth his salt would work to put it to screen, it's the only way to visually do justice to such a grandiose and epic tale
@@personzorz Denis Villeneuve absolutely aknowledges the influence the Lynch/DeLaurentis version had and references it as styleguide. The floating lights on Caladan come to mind or the presentation of the enormous Guild ships as "simple" matepaintings just in orbit around a planet and never seen in motion. Born through technical limitations Lynch had to overcome, Denis embraced it to pay homage and tingeling the "something is off" senses of the unexpected viewer at the same time. In my own interpretation i would guess the outcry shadout mapes, the housekeeper presenting the krys-knife to Lady Jessica, makes is a homage aswell. DV has become my most trusted director because his love and respect for the source material is allways shining through. I have my suspicion about an ulterior motive and the inspiration for "Dune - part one", only thinly veiled by beeing an awesome movie adaptation. In my opinion DV intentionally wanted to create and replicate what Lynch/DeLaurentis Dune turned out to be for 14 year old me: To offer another entertaining, intriguing Visualization, riding on an epic soundtrack like on a Sandworm to a new audience. Basically making the most blatant, epic, entertaining, baffeling book commercial ever.
On a personal note: Why I still LOVE this movie to this day..... Back in 84 when this first came out I was only 13yrs old. I treated my father to a "father/son night out" at the theaters. I had saved up enough from working as a paperboy to buy the tickets, drinks and popcorn. I picked this movie, thinking at the time that it was going to be a big action film due to the ads. Little did I know what it would turn out to be.... which is why my dad didn't like the movie... but I LOVED it because it was father/son-time and a Sci-Fi film of something that I had finished roughly 7 months before the movie came out.
This is the best story I have ever heard from anyone that actually liked this movie. As someone that has read the book 100+ time, I support you. Anyone that is negative towards you, may their knife chip and shatter.
Honestly think that Lynch's version suffered from studio interference that simply didn't UNDERSTAND what Dune was really all about, which overall DID hurt the movie. But Lynch's visual style elevated it to something a bit more interesting than the Books overall, which at times helped... but also hampered the plot. A complete "mixed bag" all the way around, but obviously one that is well worth the time to watch. Especially the "extended version" that adds a lot of information, even if delivered in somewhat dull "voice overs".
The Spicediver 3hr Dune: Redux fan edit is amazing. He took scenes found only in the TV broadcast, scenes only in the version shown in theatres and deleted scenes and audio and completely recut it to match as close to the novel and its pacing as possible. For me, it is the definitive version that I love and has scenes that no official release contains. His latest 4k upscale is a must watch.
My first experience with this movie, and in fact the dune universe at all, was an early version of the spicedriver edit. It instantly became one of my favorite things
@@MagusSartoriEven his earlier versions were very good. He had help from fans after his initial version where they aided him on getting the structure more accurate to the novel. The fact that he did a complete overhaul to match what the fans informed him on is a testament to his dedication and love for the source material and fellow fans alike.
ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-faHQA_0d9Mo.html For anyone interested, hopefully this comment doesn't get removed! It's good to find other's who appreciate even the original film, take care you all!
Dune is my favorite sci-fi universe, hands down. And for almost 20 years this was my Dune movie. I acknowledge all of its faults but I will love it forever for being the first on-screen adaptation my young brain ever got to experience of this world. And a lot of it is still fantastic and interesting!
I'm sad the 2000 miniseries only got a bare mention. It and Children of Dune were surprisingly alright adaptations IMO. Even though they suffered from budgetary constraints being made-for-TV and all, they stayed pretty close to the books and covered material beyond the first book. They had problems of course, but I enjoyed them, and I liked several of the actors' performances. The miniseries were what ultimately convinced me to read the books, so they'll always have a special place in my heart for that reason if nothing else.
Came to post the same. Actually loved the feel the production had at times. Some complained about the sets being obvious screens and the Baron's rhyming scheme. To me it felt like watching Dune being made as a theater production and for some reason I loved it. Plus it was the first yime outside the books where you saw Paul played as the messiah/tyrant character.
I love the 2000 miniseries! In some ways it's my favorite adaptation, lot of lore is mentioned, and it has a good feeling, I can tell the costumes and sets look cheap and unpolished sometimes but I don't care.
For me, the miniseries is the best adaptation to date, all things considered. It's obviously the cheapest production by far, but I think that it's the most effective in terms of storytelling. And has some really fun visual elements; they basically did a lot with a little. Hopefully Rowan spends some time with it at some point.
Rowan will probably be doing a video on the miniseries on its own. The mention at the end is super similar to how his Star Trek retrospectives ended, before the next one in the series
Funny enough, I was in the exact same boat as you, Rowan. I watched the movie as a kid, I didn't get it, but I kept _coming back_ to it the older I got. And slowly that confusion turned into adoration, I can quote many lines from this movie from pure memory, and the line "the sleeper must awaken" has made me do things in my life I would have otherwise never dared. The Duke shaped me just like he did Paul, this movie shaped me.
The soundtrack by TOTO is mind blowing. I recall being demonstrated a 5.1 surround sound system at an electronics store in the 90s and the start of Dune was part of it. The title theme demands being played at volume, hopefully it doesn't blow any speakers.
Meh, honestly in a movie I should see the actions, performances and emotions of the characters, not explain it to you with many sentences; It's like watching the version of Blade Runner with internal monologues, it doesn't convince. It only works on books and that's it. If I'm not such a fan of internal monologues
the best things about the 1984 dune: - it exists - Brian Eno - prophecy theme - the influences - the chips i found under my couch while watching it - the movie
My Dad's pitch to me when I was 5 years old to go see this movie with him (yeah he brought me to all sorts of weird/adult stuff from very young ages) was "Hey want to see a movie about giant worms with mouths that could swallow this entire house?".. Hmmm ok, yes.
This version is still a favorite of mine. I remember going to see it and was handed a sheet of who's who + Dune terminology. I remember a review was titled "Fantasy film as final exam" which perfectly sums up this wierd and wonderful movie
Honestly love the opening of Dune. Just having Princess Irulan introducing this universe while phasing in and out of a star-field with that otherworldly music was just so compelling and yet a sense of peace at the same time. The movie introduced me to the books as well, honestly the look of the 84 film is just so iconic that it's these characters and environments I see in my head whenever I pick up one of the novels.
I think the Lynch Dune movie is a rotten film overall, but I agree with you there, the opening scene is captivating, creating a sense of awe and mystery that - alas - is quickly dissipated in the dull Imperial throne room exposition scene that follows the titles.
I never saw this film in theatres, but I eventually caught is as a midnight movie on local television when I was a teenager. It may have been the sleep deprivation of the late hour, but I found the film utterly fascinating! I rewatched the VHS copy I'd made that night I many times over the following months finding some little new detail every time I watched it. I loved how strange and moody it was, and how much it felt like something right out of Heavy Metal Magazine. At this point, I hadn't read the book, so I took the film on its own merits, and for all its flaws, it became one of my all time favourite films. The soundtrack is both epic and mesmerizing. The Weirding Module is one of the coolest weapons in sci-fi, and the shield belt fight was utterly unique (and is still better than the red/blue blur of the new film). I've since read the book and come to know how difficult it would be as a single film, hence why that gave Villneuve 2 films, but it really needs a prestige cable/streamer full season to really do it justice. But for all it's challenges, there is no film out there like Dune 1984, and it absolutely deserves its cult status.
@MarkTyger, I'm sorry, but the 1984 shield fight looks bad now compared to the 2000 and 2021 fights; the effects in the later versions are subtle and understated, only showing what happens when the blade glances of the shield or penetrates it; that to me is what the shield's _supposed_ to look like. I _used_ to *_like_* the '84 movie, but now I think that the 2000 TV mini-series and the 2021 movie are much, much better (even with the crappy costumes in the 2000 TV miniseries.)
I really liked the 84 version of the movie. People don't seem to catch some of it's more subtle references to things mentioned in the book. After watching this many times, decided to read the book and it make me think the movie was even better. That said, the retro 50's tech was maH! And it was nice to see Capt. Jean Luke Picard in the movie as well. :) The book was too big for a single movie and they crammed much into it, so much so it was confusing for people like me who had not read the book. But it's world building was awesome!
Spicediver fan edit of this film is the closest thing we'll ever get to having the Director's cut, since Lynch is still salty over his past with the Laurentis' company. Nonetheless, the Spicediver fan edit is a fantastic piece of work and the only way I watch the original Dune nowadays. I've seen it several times over, its mysticism instantly transports me to the books' world. In my opinion, it is superior to Vilneuve's film, although his film is not without merits of its own.
I love this movie and it continues to be the way I envisage the world of Dune. I was 9 when it came out and didn’t watch it until a few years later at 12 on TV with my Dad whom I shared my love of Sci fi and fantasy with. I remember being spellbound by the score, which got me interested in acquiring film scores later in life, the prophecy theme in particular. I missed a lot of what was going on in my initial watch, but I loved the epic mythical nature of the film and the intense interpersonal relationships between characters. Quotes like: ‘A beginning is a very delicate time’ ‘the sleeper must awaken’ ‘I suggest you may be human, your awareness may be powerful enough to control your instincts, your instinct will be to remove your hand from the box, if you do so…you die’, ‘I must not fear, fear is the mind killer, fear is the little death that brings total obliteration, I will face my fear, I will permit it to pass over me, and through me’ ‘You are transparent, I see many things, I see plans within plans’ ‘Many men have tried, “they tried and failed”, they tried and died’ ‘I will bend like a reed in the wind’ ‘It is by will alone I set my mind in motion’ They have all become personal mantras or words to live by. Like many I read the books because of this film and rewatch it regularly. It was a memorable and beloved moment of connection with my Dad and we both adored the film as a flawed masterpiece. After watching the film Dad lent me his paperback of Dune to read. I came to understand how dense the book really was and loved discussing it with my Dad. I was struck on how much the newest adaptation borrows on the 1984 version, but was given more time to breathe and truly let the story unfold, yet lost much of the beautiful nuance and poetry of the original’s language and as a result it’s evocative mysticism and majesty. Maybe it’s because I was young when I watched it, but the 1984 version for all its flaws hit me deeper than any other, though I appreciate all of the other adaptations in different ways. I lost my Dad last November and the first thing I watched after was this version of Dune, to reconnect with the moment, but it also gave me a deeper understanding of the Paul/Leto relationship, and for a few hours I was back in the 80s on the couch with my Dad. Powerful art has the ability to transport you places just as the spacing guild folds space.
@@patinho5589 err apologies for being a pedant, but it is ‘reed’ not ‘read’. ‘Read’ is a verb (action/doing word, e.g ‘I’m going to read the comments’. ‘Reed’ is a noun (name of an object / person / animal) it’s a type of marsh grass that grows on river banks, especially estuaries where it is often subject to tidal forces and winds. It bends, rather than breaking, making it very resilient, in what could be deemed a hostile environment.
I have always equated the Dune books as Lord of the Ring's for sci-fi. I first read them in school when I was around 12-13, just before the movie came out. I have always enjoyed the movie, all versions of it, but feel sorry for Lynch that control of editing was taken away from him, something any director must hate.
I saw this at the theater during its original release when I was 10. I was captivated by its grandeur by story and vision. I’ve always loved it even though I haven’t always understood it. But as I’ve understood it, I still appreciate it and still love it.
When I saw it in the theaters, we were given a glossary sheet along with the ticket. There are scans online. Alicia Witt would later play a snarky teenager in the sitcom Cybil. She had a Dune 1984 poster on her bedroom wall.
This is the definitive sci fi channel of RU-vid imo. As a huge fan of Lynch and of Sci fi, thanks for dedicating time to this interesting footnote of Sci fi cinema.
I was a little kid when I saw Dune 1984 for the first time, and it blew my mind... years later I read the book as part of my crecent intrerest in the genre, they marked me, obiously at the par with Star Wars...
For me, this version of “Dune” is much like Kubrick’s “The Shining.” Neither is a great adaptation but both provide visuals and atmosphere that compliments their source novels. Being a reader, I had read both first before seeing the flicks. I agree about this being like “Star Trek: The Motion Picture.”
I used to love getting something nice to drink and settle down to rewatch this. There is something almost hypnotic about it all, the characters being moved like pieces in a glacially slow game of empire scale chess. It helped that the sets, the actors and the music were singularly striking, from the severity of the Reverend Mother, through the beauty of Francesa Annis, the poise and presence of Stilgar, and the maniacal intent of the Baron. There are few movies that reward multiple viewings, but this is one of them.
I was 14 when it opened and it blew me away. I saw it on a giant movie screen and this became one of the movies that I blame for me becoming a fantasy illustrator, along with The Neverending Story. This Dune had great reviews in the press here in Portugal and it was one of those rare sci-fi movies that even people who hated sci-fi really enjoyed. The movie came back for cinema reruns over the years and every time it sold out the room. When it was first aired on tv in an awful 4:3 pan and scan copy the movie was a huge hit and had viewership rates that broke all records for tv movies here in Portugal around 1988. The newspapers even printed vhs covers for everyone that wanted to vhs tape it, and newspapers sold like crazy that day because DUNE was going to be on tv that week. At that time I hadn’t read the book as it was mostly unpublished here in Portugal , but the atmosphere of the movie, the soundtrack , the intro and the fact that when it comes to design was so different from the nuts and bolts Star Wars , all that made me fall in love with it. The night it went on tv, I taped it and when it was over I rewind the tape and watched it again that same night. Also the soundtrack LP album sold out too and to this day I still meet people that claim to hate scifi but make an exception when it comes to Blade Runner and David Lynch’s DUNE. I still think the movie was really influential in giving new readers of the books that impression the book was more spiritual and atmospheric than it really is. In the 80s it was impossible to read the books and not think of the mystical atmosphere from the movie which is not exactly in the books. I think the DUNE novels have a lot to thank Lynchs DUNE for their come back into pop culture back in the 80s. I do love the movie, it still inspires me like crazy in my own work site-4vjycmtv.websitecdn.com/uploads/1920/6dee0246e48b4229a1befdc07d802837.jpg?v=231801070855 Or site-4vjycmtv.websitecdn.com/uploads/1920/6f95a259cd0b4766bd7602fc0bddcb7b.jpg?v=231801070855 The recent 4K special Blu-ray edition is out of this world.
While I personally prefer the Denis Villeneuve's version, I've loved this film since seeing it as a child and it's vivid & frankly unsettling atmosphere have left an indelible mark on me as a person (the music, oh my GOD the music). The colossal omissions of basically the second half of the story is certainly a shame but the fact the film works so well while cutting so much is such a testament to Lynch's talent and his famous one of kind creative vision.
Jodorowsky's concept is a beautifully restored version of the future. It all looks artistic and uplifting on paper, but it also clearly conveys an even slightly less mainstream Dune than Lynch's, which would have had even less chance of global success like other Jodorowsky films. It's a concept as so many other films had, multiple versions of concepts, but the documentary is cool indeed.
One of my favorite books is Ed Naha’s “The Making of Dune”. It describes the making of this lavish vision David Lynch & company were attempting to bring to screen. Outrageously recommended read if you’re interested in what was going on during the making of David Lynch’s Dune, and what could’ve been in its execution. Much like Star Trek The Motion Picture, due to both its strengths and weaknesses, it remains an indelible and fascinating film for the ages.
I was 15 when this film came out & it got its hooks into me at exactly the right time - I was getting into all things sci-fi & I still love it to this day. I never really notice the flaws. Guess its decided what I'm watching tonight now.
Ha, am watching this movie again today. Read Dune when it came out, and remember thinking that the movie was not as good as the books, but still a good introduction to Dune if you had not read the books. I think Lynch did a great job considering how hard it was going to be to get this book translated to film. Would love to see a director's cut, but I doubt if that will ever happen.
Funny thing is, you might think the narration is bad in this version, but you miss it and wish for it in the new version Therefore the narration is a blessing
Exactly. Seen many clever reactors trying to understand the new one without knowing the book. Not easy. Back then i saw this movie before reading the book, yet it was clear, easy to follow.
I am a massive fan of Frank Herbert’s original book series; the first novel is a literary masterpiece. But still I loved David Lynch’s film and - notwithstanding all the studio interference that forced him to remove his name from the production - I’m so glad it was made by someone with such a unique vision and not some jaded formula blockbusters hack.
Fear is the mind killer... always remember that line when I first watched it as a young kid. I must say it helped me to be not afraid of things in general growing up. So a great movie and self help guide lol.
I still love this movie warts and all, and find it FAR superior to the genuinely incomprehensible Denis Villneuve thing that came out recently. The SF Channel miniseries was superior to the 20 years newer version! Will be interesting to see what you have to say about that one Rowan, your coverage of Lynch's movie is great. (As for fanedits, I prefer Spicediver's 'Redux' final version and consider it to be the best possible, other then what Lynch himself might have cut.)
The set design, craftsmanship and tailoring in the '84 film are still visually striking and inspiring. From Dune [Cryo], Dune II, Dune 2000 and beyond. The film inspired a distinct style that made it memorable for 30+ years. It's not bland, bleak, or boring. It's ostentatious, baroque and powerful. It's a shame that the Studio/Lynch where ganged up on by Hollywood sycophants. Book differences aside [including the ending] the '84 interpretation is a must watch. *LONG LIVE THE FIGHTERS*
Dune hit theaters when I was a senior in high school. I had started reading the books several years before that and was hooked on the series, so I was excited to see the film. Obviously, the movie has problems and I did recognize that, but the sheer originality of the visuals and the great cast made it an enjoyable watch for me. I still enjoy this version to this day, even though I didn't particularly like the last few books in the series (and haven't read any of the continuation after Frank Herbert's death), so I don't consider myself a "fan" per se. Great retrospective on a fascinating film.
This film was popular at home when I was little. I love the soundtrack and the feel so much. I even like the whispered voiceovers even if they are largely unnecessary. ❤
I liked the personal shield effects in the 1984 version better than the 2021 version. lynch's version has its own charms and i like both versions. the sets and costumes are glorious in lynch's version and i think he did a good job with what he had. the dune 1984 music is memorable, the 2021 version is generic.
I really like Denis' "Dune" watch it all the time but I still prefer Lynchs Dune, for everything you mentioned. Especially the music as you said, but the biggest factor....is that Kyle will always be my Paul Atriedes. He was fantastic.
While I agree with a lot of the criticism, I still like this movie very much, it has a charm and exoticism to it which feel very appropriate to the novel. And I also liked the miniseries. For their budget, they did a very good job, and they also managed to cover Dune Messiah and Children of Dune!
As much as it's not a great adaption, I love this movie. I saw it in probably 2009, and it got me into the books. My Dad had picked it up on VHS, and i was bored and it looked interesting. that lead me to reading the books, and falling in love with the universe. i now have copies of Every bit of dune to hit the big or small screen. So much fun. So much Camp.
Lynch's Dune is one of the greatest movies ever filmed. The passion of the art is on every film frame, and in every performance. It's sad that Lynch himself can't look upon this work with the same love that many of us do.
Duke Leto Atreides: " I'll miss the sea, but a person needs new experiences. They jar something deep inside, allowing him to grow. Without change something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken." Man that quote blew my 10y/o mind when I watched that movie back then, when it was released. And it helped me slowly to get out of my introverted shell. Real good sci-fi Can help to see things differently, and more openly. 👍
I love Dune. Even though I agree with the criticisms the movie is still great. As a kid watching this movie it was a very WOW moment. All the critique points are some of the reasons why I liked it. I think it falls under "to each their own".
Watching your retrospectives reminds me how much I love sci-fi! Thank you! There is something magical and grand about these big sci-fi movies old and new that just feels so good! Keep up the great videos!
I saw the movie in the early 90s. It was one of my earliest sci-fi film memories. I was born 2 years after the film was released. I loved it. I have read many of the books. Sean Young was stunning in the film.
My first exposure to Dune was through the roleplaying/strategy game from 1992, at the time I had no idea it was based upon a book or had movie adaptations. A few years later, one of my teachers was surprised I wasn't aware of the book (I don't fully recall how that conversation started) and recommended I find a copy and read it - which I found in the school library luckily. That book changed me, it changed my way of thinking, my way of writing - it was brilliant. It wasn't until a few years after that (around 2006), that I chanced upon the SyFy channel adaptations of Dune & Children of Dune in my local video rental store that I then learnt about all the various visual adaptations. I like the SyFy versions, I though they were done quite well, but one I saw the extended cut of Lynchs' Dune, that one has been the definitive version since, for me.
I saw this movie in the cinema at the age of 11, and I never understood why it was difficult to understand or why it was not "good". The only other two movies in the same category that impressed me more in those years were 2001 and Blade Runner. This is why all of them were in my DVD collection as soon as they were available. For me, it is one of the best movies in which ideas and concepts of true science fiction occur.
I loved the movie! I was a child came out, and had the toys! I didn't quite understand the nuances if the movie but watching it through the lense of childhood will mean I will always love it. What's not to love? Men riding giant worms into battle? Terror troops? The beast Raban( who was also bluto in popeye) I read the novels much later as a teen and I liked the books alot.
Dune is just such a strange heady sci fi movie. It's not a simple story and it's imagery is weird and intentionally written in a way that leaves it mysterious. It makes any adaptation hard to do. I'm glad you mentioned the Mini Series. That was extremely well done and it's generally forgotten by most.
I was 13 when this came out. I had seen it initially promoted in Starlog Magazine. I read the book - it was so far over my head I didn’t get it. I like the movie at the time and I appreciate it more now. For whatever it’s flaws it’s intensely interesting to watch.
The weirding module was Lynch trying to avoid having to film desert martial arts sequences in rubber suits. Just walking was dehydrating the cast and supporting artist as their costumes would fill up with sweat. Just like real stillsuit only without the filtration. In the film it's described as part of the weirding way. In my head canon it's a technologically enhanced version of the Voice. Further evidence of Jessica passing Bene Gesserit techniques not just to her son but to her "husband 's" army too. But that would explain how it breaks objects. In Lynch's original script it doesn't rain BTW. He had in mind doing Dune Messiah and would have shown rain there. He also planned to do the first book as two movies filmed together (like the 3 and 4 Musketeers and Superman) but Dino wanted one movie.
I would really love to see Universal work something out with Lynch to make an actual Director’s Cut, but failing that, I would love to see Spicediver* make a 4K official “Ultimate Cut” of the film with Universal to honor the passion that clearly was put into the film. *Do yourself a favor and RU-vid “Spicediver Dune”. I feel it is as close to Lynch’s vision as we will likely get at this point. It easily rose my personal rating of this film from a 4/10 to a 8/10. Great stuff!
This was on daytime TV on Saturday and Sundays in the 90s. I remember as a kid thinking this movie is so complex and deep I wouldn't understand it until I grew up. It turns out thats a half truth but I love this film, warts and all. That TOTO soundtack will always be a classic.
In the late 80's I rented DUNE from my local Mom and Pop Video Store. My VHS version had with it, a 60 PAGE PAMPHLET you were asked to READ BEFORE watching the video. It's the ONLY time I had ever seen this.
Raffaella De Laurentiis is easily top 5 female producers of all time, right up there with Gale Anne Hurd and KK (even though putting her in charge of Lucasfilm was a mistake, she is an excellent producer)
I love Dune 1984. Movie making was definitely different then from today. Now you can put anything in a computer and mess with it for months in end to your desired outcome. Back then it was the directors, Artists, craftsmen with the studios millions of dollars that just had to run with it. You had to believe it would turn out because once the ball is rolling you have no choice. Way more creativity than today.
Dune shaped my perspective on a lot of things. For one it came out the year I was born, and I probably saw it for the first time far too young. The fact so much of it is dark, and twisted, and you can't understand it all because it's abstract. Call it a far cray from what it was supposed to be, that's fair, but don't say it isn't captivating. It sticks with you. It wasn't Star Trek, it wasn't a utopia, it was demented, and weird, and movies can do that. They can take you uncomfortable places without making the world uncomfortable. They can mess with your head a little. So yeah, Dune 1984 to me will always be a memorable movie. The new one is great, I probably didn't Blink enough while watching it because it was such a spectacle, but after it ended, and I went home, it just didn't hold the same, and still doesn't now. It didn't shape an emotion the same way. It was a spectacle, and amazing amazing portrait of technical achievement, but it just isn't on the same level of depth. Dune was the first novel series I read, which is a weird statement in itself. The books are also fantastically fucked up. Sometimes the world needs that as much or more than a technical achievement.
When I was quite young, I was at a family friend's house, and they had a computer with games on it, one of which was Dune 2: Building of a Dynasty. I loved it, it excited my brain in a way no other game had yet done. When I excitably told my Dad about the game, he and his friend sat me down and told me to watch this film that they thought I would like. That movie was David Lynch's Dune. To say I was enthralled would be an understatement. Even back then I knew the film was... a bit weak, but it didn't matter. The worldbuilding, the characters and the story captivated me. Not long after my Dad gave me his copies of the Dune saga of books, most of which I still own. I ended up reading the first three, but still have never gotten to the latter three (something I should probably get around to). And ever since then, I've been a huge fan of Dune. I got my own copy of Dune 2, and then Dune 2000, Emperor: Battle for Dune, watched the SciFi channel miniserieses, saw Denis' part 1, got Dune: Spice Wars, and got some comic adaptations. I haven't expanded into the Brian Herbert books however, unsure whether I would enjoy them or not, given the divisive nature of those books among other fans.
Went to see dune in 1984 during my military service, with some of my army buddy's. None of them understood the movie, including me!! I went back three times to fully understand this movie, having never read the book!! To this day the 1984 version of dune is still one of my favourite syfi movies!!
I didn't pick up on the idea of Pink Floyd doing the soundtrack for Jodorowsky's Dune until I rewatched this. Now I can't stop thinking about how epic that could have been.
I loved this film as a kid. I really felt the sense of epic and enjoyed the inferred depth of the characters even if, as you say, they really didn’t get to do much.
Harlan Ellison hit the nail on the head, that something as difficult, long & complex as Dune would have been impossible as a live-action adaptation, but that it finally drove through. Despite the 3 times it was tried ("They tried & died." - GH Mohiam, hehe), it was the 4th time that did it, first shortly with Ridley Scott & then with David Lynch. Thus it was the first brave attempt to get it to the screen. In other words, it finally got greenlit. The Harrison 2000 & Villeneuve 2021 versions, not to mention the PC games, would have never existed as they exist now if it wasn't for this first brave step with Lynch, DeLaurentiis & Universal, even if the attempt became a failure, albeit a cult classic after. Again, this was a stepping stone. The fanmade 2012 Spicediver cut (at 4k upscale as well) really helps the Lynch version align a little bit more with the book. There is no doubt there will be a 4th, 5th, 6th etc re-adaptation, decades from now & decades in between. As long as the story is retold for the yet-unborn future generation of audiences, Dune will continue. I mean, its story itself is 10-thousand years in the making. In the end, we can all thank Frank for visiting the sand dunes of the Oregon beaches in the 1950s. 04/21/24
I didn’t really get into the universe until I found the SciFi Miniseries in my early 20s and then went back and watched the film and read all the books. I love Dune, and I love this movie wholeheartedly. Can’t wait for your thoughts on the miniseries!
I saw this movie in 1986 on HBO at age 11 and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Dune had a deeper impact on me and how I view Sci-Fi then Star Wars did.
I started watching this at the age 19 , in 1992. I wore that video tape out. In 2010 i found myself working the gate in Afghanistan and this movie got back into my watch cycle. Nothing like visualizing a giant sandworm coming through the longe range to help you get by sitting in the tower.
As soon as it came out in the rental stores I remember making my mom rent it... I was so enthralled watching it at home on my VHS... Fell in love with it right away... I love the desert scenes, the worms, the musical score, so much of it just blew me away as a little kid.
I said much of this when you announced your Dune retrospective. Although I am a bigger sci-fi fan than my older brother, so many movies that I saw growing up were thanks to his varied choice in movies. I saw this when I was probably younger than 10 but I have watched this movie many times every few years since. As I got older I saw some of the flaws that have been covered but other flaws never became distracting. I really this movie on so many levels, although I picked up a few more elements of the lore I only listened to the audiobook quite recently. The Writing is good and it is much better than the Brian Herbert book i also listened to. The Lynch, miniseries and Villeneuve all have elements that I like, but I still prefer the Lynch version. Great review.
The Brian Herbert books are an... abomination. All jokes aside, I hate them, and they read like sophomoric adventure novels. I refuse to incorporate them into the canon.
Thanks for the review. Have always loved the movie, only realising it existed after reading the books as a teenager in the 90's. I struggled with the books as a teenager, I enjoyed them but they felt like a slog whereas the movie sat really well with me and the deviations from book lore didn't feel callous. Seeing in your review how much of the cast and crew were fans of the books fits my headcanon of the movie taking it's job of telling the story very seriously. I re-read the books as an adult and still love them, looking forward to this years Part 2.
I will always have a particularly fond memory of seeing Dune in the theater. I was in my later teen years, and having been a big sci-fi fan for some time, I'd read everything Herbert had written in the Dune universe to that point. I went with a friend who also really liked science fiction but had never read any of the novels so I gave him a basic rundown on the story having heard that some things in the film weren't that well explained. As we're watching the film, we reach about the fifth time you hear Paul's voiceover thinking "Am I the one?" when my friend leans over and whispers "He's gonna be REAL disappointed if he isn't." I had tears in my eyes with suppressed laughter.
I actually agree with your assessment of the film. Even comparing watching it with Star Trek The Motion Picture. You were able to articulate what I’ve been feeling over the years. Excellent job
I prefer DUNE (84) to anything that has come after. With all its Wartz… it by Far manages to capture the FEEL of Frank Herbert’s DUNE for me. I Love the Books! I usually reread Frank’s books nearly every year. Written page or Audible. D. Villinue’s take on dune is a sad Dumbed Down Husk. Though I do love his Ornithopters. The Cast and Dialogue are Cringeworthy AT BEST. So I’ll stick with DUNE (84) and the Books. Great Video! Cheers!
I love the recent Dune movie, but I sort of missed the dream-like strangeness the 84 version brought to the story. I do cringe a bit at the optical effects and shields (real shame knowing that the animators put so much effort in to do something original), but the sets, costumes and miniature work still look epic.
For myself, I know that a fantastic cut of Dune '84 could have existed. Might still exist somewhere. The film is so frustrating in how compromised it is as you say, but somehow you know a great movie was there, somewhere. The proper movie was not allowed to be executed.
As a long time Dune Fan,I was excited to click on this video. Your analysis really put into to words what Ive always felt about this adaptation. My way into the world of Dune was sort of backwards. I played the RTS, read the book, then watched the Miniseries and then watched the Lynch version. I'm looking forward to seeing the review of the Miniseries which is very good in the acting but man that budget
