Top 10 Reasons Why Dune (1984) is Hated 

What do you think of Dune 1984? Are you excited for the upcoming movie adaptation?

Ever notice how Patrick Stewart stopped aging after the 80s

David Lynch originally made a 4 hour movie (the material was so dense), and then the studio told him to cut in in half. That killed any flow Lynch was going for

I love the 1984 version. It’s weird, campy and filled with strange directorial choices

I love the 1984 movie.... it did not have the special effects because they didn't exist back then. I love the costumes (especially Lady Jessica's), the internal monologues, the score, and the acting, even though Paul Atreides character is not played by a 16 year old boy. All of the dialogues are pretty much verbatim the way they are in the Dune book. I've watched it a million times.

People "talk" about how much this film is hated but over the past 30 years I've not run into anyone that "hated" it. Even those who think the adaption isn't true.

Having read "Dune" twice and, consider it one of my Top Ten novels of all time, I know that the 1984 "Dune" has many problems. But, I still love the film.

I was a kid when I watched the movie, but it struck a cord with me. I love the prayer, "I must not fear. Fear is the mindkiller". I used it myself during times of stress to remind me that I need to keep my wits about me and not let fear rob me of my faculties. I later read the books, and while the movie and the books don't jive, there are still parts of the movie that I love, such as the box scene. Mohiam has a commanding voice and powerful presence on screen. The same scenes from the trailer for the new Dune don't quite live up to my expectations. So the 1984 version is flawed, but there's something I really enjoy about it.

The 3 hour Spicediver fan edit of Dune 1984 returns it to the status of masterpiece. The best version of Dune that exists.

It is an extremely poor adaptation of the book, but a highly entertaining film nonetheless. I have a soft spot for it.

I personally loved Dune 1984. No, it’s not perfect, but I enjoyed it.

12:15 As I recall, and it has been a while since I saw the 1984 version, Dr. Yueh had hidden the plans for the weirding modules with Paul and Jessica when they were going to be dumped in the dessert. I always supposed the Fremen were capable of building them from the plans.

My favorite movie of all time. I was mesmerized watching this as a kid. It's certainly easy to point out the flaws, but it's love to me.

Princess Irulan's commentary isn't internal monologue, it's narration: She's reading from her own writing on the history of the universe and the emergence of Muad'dib.

Its clearly a deeply flawed film but its also fascinating... the amazing set designs and the overall level of creepiness make it unique and almost mesmerizing at times

I enjoyed, and continue to enjoy the 1984 version - both standard and extended, but I also like the new 2021 release - even if it is only part 1, since part 2 is now confirmed. Jodorowsky's Dune is also a great look into the world of Frank Herbert, and THAT one would have probably blown all others away.

I absolutely adore this movie-- I appreciate the Lynchian flavor it has, which is a kind of camp- it perfectly rides the line of being the most bad-ass awesome off the charts sci-fi art and pure camp- a combination rarely ever seen executed with such prowess. It stands alone as a masterpiece because of this. And all the better that it isn’t constrained by mainstream stylistic influences (such as that narration taboo)- this just adds to its magic. I’ve heard so much that this film is hated, but like here in this thread, I see a whole lotta love. One of my favorite films of all time hands down

I love the constant whispering and the internal monologues because when I watched it as a kid it was just so dreamy... It was like characters were constantly having a personal and intimate conversations with me.... It really is quite unforgettable and to me it made it a powerful movie, one of my favorites growing up

Not a Plot Hole: They were able to recreate the weirding modules because Yueh saved the plans for Duke and Jessica and hid them in the ornithopter

My parents showed me this film when I was 10, and after that I've read first 5 books of the series. I love the film, and I am truly disappointed they didn't continue to make more films. As for the critiques in this video, well: 1) #10 and #9 are basically the same - book is too long and film had to be condensed, thus diverting from source material. No crime in that. That's just commercialism. 2) #8: Internal monologues are actually great. It is what makes this film unique. Other films could use those too. It is a different way to tell a story. And it brings you closer to source material. I love it. 3) #7: well this is actually great too. It is a Sci-Fi film, not some action flick. It tells a story, it is suppose to emerge you in the world of Dune. It is not a Western. It is a tale spanning for generations. Film doesn't rely on action to tell the tale, and it does it great. There were a lot of action films back in the 80's, so you can watch those, if you want shooting and chasing. This film is about religion, politics, society, psychology, not explosions and car chases. It is like hating a comedy for being funny. Star Wars was a children's film. Dune was for grown ups. 4) #6: I really do not understand what is wrong here. Film is set in future. Distant future. Why should we expect everyone to walk and talk like 80's New Yorker? Especially since most characters are some sort of nobility. The way people behave is constantly changing, and it even varies from country to country, from town to town. I can not imagine why it should be wrong that characters in this film act like they do. Actors in 20's act differently than actors in 40's, than actors in 70's, than actors in 80's etc. 5) #5: same as #6. Fashion changes. People change. Even the book Dune explains that "Navigators" became distorted by the spice. Why can't the fashion be influenced by space? Why can't fashion be influenced by billions of other things, through space and time? Someone was reading the book, and envisioned the costumes different from what was depicted in the film, so they complained? Let them make their own version of film. 6) #4: OK, this might have been a bad idea, but again, it should go with #10 and #9. It is diverting from source material. 7) #3: Rain is not in the book, but then again, it might just be local, or temporary. If Paul can kill with his voice, why couldn't he summon the rain? It is a bit strange, but it adds to the climax. 8) #2: message is Middle East. Spice is oil, Fremen are Arabs, Dune i Middle East. It is just an allegory of our world dominated by religion and oil, but taken to some new dimension. 9) #1: yes, there are plot holes, but that just made me read the book. So it is good. And voice modules are made according to plans Paul finds in Harkonen ship, when they crash.

I couldn't disagree more with you on these 2 version comparisons... Lynch's 1984 version is miles and miles and miles ahead of the art nouveau Villeneuve's version.. which is admittedly pretty but feels empty and unconvincing. Dune isn't meant to be a story that's supposed to be portrayed in a subtle and delicate way... but outspokenly brutal and all encompassing mirroring the vast universe. In the 1984 movie I feel in an far away galaxy... in Villeneuve's version I just feel on a remote movie set in Africa.

Lack of action in the movie? Sorry, have you ever read the book? Dune is everything else but action. It's mostly dialog after dialog after dialog.

Despite being an avid fan of science fiction as a teenager; reading Clarke, Asimov, Harrison et al - it was this film adaptation that lead me to seek out the original books.

I absolutely LOVE this version. The Sci fi channel version was subpar and the new one I have not formed a full opinion on, since its still in process.

Massive plot holes - Proceeds to show one plot hole that's actually not a plot hole.

It's not hated, it's polarizing.

There are people who do like this movie like me and made me interested in buying the books of Frank Herbert.

I have a great fondness for the film. All the negativity is just reviewers echoing other reviewers. The only really daft thing in it is the sound weapons, but that can be overlooked. I read the book first, and felt that Lynch illustrated it quite well, as the aesthetics are superb. The casting is great, and the soundtrack is glorious too.

I love David Lynch's Dune, have seen the movie more then 20 times and I I like to watch it again and again... Kyle MacLachlan, Kenneth McMillan, Jürgen Prochnow but also everyone else delivered a fantastic acting performance. I like the book of Frank Herbert too! Both can stand for themselves.

I was disappointed by Dune at release in '84 because it wasn't what I expected but I have grown to absolutely love this film. The casting of Siân Phillips as the Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam, Brian Eno's score, and yes, the haunting voiceovers make this one of my favorite movies of all time.

I love the Lynch version of Dune. As a fan, I was just excited that he attempted to film the story. The book is amazing and cannot be filmed. But Lynch was a brave attempt. I look forward to the new film.

I really liked Dune 1984 but it was confusing. Just watched Dune 2021 and it was amazing. I was captivated the whole way, enjoyed the time to each character and story development and was surprised when it ended, like it was too short. I do hope to see Sting as Feyd again tho. I feel like Dune 2021 has brought back good movies again, without the overly commercial corporate rush to put out movies quickly with little creative control.

I may be a lone voice in the desert (see what I did there? :D) but I really liked it. Yes it was a quart in a pint pot, and incomprehensible if you hadn't read the book, but it was a spectacular visual treat. The overall plot was, though very condensed, true to the book. The appearance of the characters was, I felt, also true to the book. It was of its time. Only since LOTR would studios agree to make the number of movies necessary to fully do the stories justice. I would happily keep watching this but look forward to the more modern remakes.

Honourable Mention: TOTO’s Epic Soundtrack.

Wait what? Dune (1984) is hated?! It's one of my favourite movies. And I love the book too.

I love the 84 version...have been a huge fan since I saw it in a little theatre in 1984 when it came out. Sure, it isnt loyal to the book in spots and Baron Harkonnen is way overplayed, but its epic with practical effects. Love it even more than the new movie.

Watched Dune 1984 for the first time the night before the new iteration came out last week, and I have to say, I liked them both for very different reasons. Some of the original was definitely hokey then, as it is now, but there was heart put into it. The new version, visually stunning as it is, does not really have the same amount of heart or emotion conveyed by the lead. Also, we needed 1,000% more Zendaya.

But I love the whispering internal monologues _The spice most flow_

For such a "hated" movie there is a torrent of favorable comments here and on IMDB, while it's not perfect ( nothing is) it resonates with me and others.

Yep, in the book Paul had no superpowers... If you exclude inherited memories of nearly all history, the ability to see the future, the ability to think with the logic processing of a computer... Just a regular dude.

Old Star Wars movies takes its viewers along in the journey. The modern Disney “Star Wars” berates, insults, & lectures you.

I loved the 84 Dune, and because I watched it before reading the source material, it gets a pass for all the misses.

I absolutely love this movie. I also loved the voice overs as a means to see what the characters are thinking.

I watched the movie very young and it kind of scared me on some aspects, mostly the way the baron and his people are portayed was horrific to my very young mind. The ending with allthe blue eyes and Paul's power being showed kind of stayed with me. But seing it later, I was disapointed, I had expected a lot more from a film that so many were venerating. So many things feel dated and comparing it to the book it does seem deviate from the messages residing inside. I saw the new Dune, and I'm rather content of it. Paul really is someone I want to follow in that one, all his pain and his fears transmitted in a way I'm more sensible to, the aesthetics are beautiful, and go well with the music.

"David Lynch didn't have creative freedom" Like changing the main characters age, or changing back story, or maybe even adding a huge plot detail that never existed. Huh.

The original Dune movie was a strange and truly unique work of art, something that's hard to find.

10 reasons Watchmojo doesnt understand the 1984 movie

I disagree with almost EVERYTHING thing that is put forward. The original studio release certainly suffers in the edit. There is a REDUX version available which is three hours awesome. I am a huge fan of the novels and was amazed to discover that all the characters looked as I had imagined them to be. I had no problem at all with Paul's age or the "whispered" internal dialogue. It may have been hated by most critics but it was obviously good enough to garner nearly 3000 positive comments. I think you underestimated the Fremen. The film is a (studio) flawed masterpiece.

The book has those internal conversations i.e. the characters are thinking to themselves. I liked the inclusion in the film.

The 84 Dune is still my shit . This film helped me get through Afghanistan. Nothing helps you get through a day of sitting in the tower like imagining a giant sandworm tearing up the long range and hitting some UXO .

I loved this movie, didn’t hate anything about it. That being said I am glad the new one that came out will be a multi movie series so that it will go into depth better on all the story has to offer.

I don’t know why everyone hates Dune 1984, I think it was one of the best sci-fi movies ever. I loved everything about it-the acting and the score is amazing.

Was anybody expecting Lynch to make a clear, concise, linear movie? Has he ever?

They go out of the way to explain that Dr. Yueh packed the blueprints for the weirding modules with Paul and Jessica. Did you even watch the movie?

I couldnt stomach nor comprehend this film as a 7 year old. Almost 40 years later, I tried to watch; still cant finish it.

I think the biggest reason for the movie's failure was stated in the beginning. It was a matter of final cut. They chopped the film up and added voiceovers to try and make sense of it. This ultimately destroyed the film. Otherwise, trying to nitpick Lynch's style is a fool's errand. He's has an extremely unique style which, loved or hated, is ultimately up to the viewer to interpret and try to make sense of.

I don't hate it.

I grew up with this movie and I love it. It captured my imagination, it moved me to read the books, it's just entertaining. I love it!

Always loved David Lynch’s Dune…so stylish, and kooky. I didn’t read the book until much later so I had no expectations. I absolutely love the book and have read it several times.

I like it. For all the reasons that people supposedly hate it. Granted, I want an extended version at 4 hours but I love the score, the special effects, the weirdness. Good stuff. Also, I do love me some exposition dumps.

Personally I thought the The Movie was a Classic, and a Great Movie...

I disagree completely it’s one of the best movies to come out of the 80s and it holds a place of honor in my movie collection!

I like the ending with the rain. It stays in the spirit of the movie to condense the storyline. Think of it: how did Leto II keep his iron grip on the known universe in the novels? By restricting the access to spice. Having it rain on Dune would allow Paul to do exactly what his son did in the novels, but in much less time. I bet that if a sequel had been made, we would've seen Paul, and not Leto II, turn into a human/sandworm hybrid.

Watched Dune 21 and 1984 versions. This is more due to the game I played when younger. I like them both. I noticed 21 version seems to be longer and has more to it where I find the 1984 is very crammed. I like them both.

I LOVE 84 DUNE; It Is A Piece Of 80s ART and An Introduction to the DUNE Universe😍

Lynch's D U N E is wonderful, weird and awesome... one of my favorite films. I'm even more obsessed with the fantastic score by Toto (and Brian Eno).

Many of these miss the mark; but it's from a poll, after all. What I hated: the absolutely gross Baron Harkonen. Difficult to watch. So many bald Bene Gesseret. Lack of quotations of fictional works between chapters. The rectilinear force fields. I thought the Atredies, Shadout Mapes, and the emperor were very well-played and cast. Leit Kines was rather untanned as a desert person; although he did seem very well-educated and connected. Sting was a bit over the top, but he worked well for the dual at the end. When its claimed the weirding modules were a way of movement, that saying "My name is a killing word." is from the book. They were indeed using sonic weapons, and there was a long period between Paul becoming the leader of the Fremen and their actual attack, after all. I thought most of the voice-overs were successful; but in retrospect, not better than the removed footage. "How can this be? For he IS the Kwezartz Haderach!" It's entirely appropriate. The Bene Gesseret were out to promote the one who is to come (which they created). He didn't conceive of himself as a god, but serving God. How does it miss the point of the series, that messiahs and genetic modification are dangerous? The first book left him in a heroic light. Only the others, especially God Emperor of Dune, really drove that point home.

Speak for yourselves. I loved Lynch’s Dune and I’ve seen every cut of it there is, even the 3+ hour one that uses outtakes. In some ways Lynch’s Dune is better than the new one, it has a style & does character development better. Yeah, it takes liberties like with the wyrding modules, but they’re called ADAPTATIONS for a reason, and only had one movie to do thisnin. If you want something exactly like the book, just read the damn book again.

Its not perfect, or acurate to the source material, but its still a nice movie. 💙 Now do the syfy mini-series

I was literally the only person in a Queensland cinema when I first watched this film. As a teenager, I left totally confused as to what I had just watched. However, the film's strangeness left a huge impression on me, especially the grand sets, the elaborate costumes and the mystical music by Eno/Toto. It inspired me to read Herbert's books. Subsequent reviewing, along with learning about how Lynch was hindered from making the film he envisioned, has left me appreciative of what the film is and what it could have been. I'd love to see a director's cut one day but given Lynch's attitude, that's unlikely. I'm eagerly waiting in anticipation of Villeneuve's film and to see how he's adapted the source material.

Not a laser gun but a sonic gun using vibrations of sound to do damage

It is by the juice of Sapho that thoughts acquire speed, the lips acquire stains, the stains become a warning. It is by will alone I set my mind in motion. It is by will alone I set my mind in motion.

Lynch's Dune is definitely one of my "comfort" movies that I could always go back and watch. It's one that my dad and I would watch atleast once a year, its usually the extended one though.

What are you talking about? I love the Dune book AND the old movie. They're different stories that can coexist just fine.

Dr yueh left the plans for the modules so that Paul could make them for the fremen. Plot hole closed. Now how he managed to gather the materials to make the weapons is unknown.

“84 condensed it too much!” 2021 condensed it much worse with even more run time considering it’s only half the story. 84 > 21. It’s true in math and it’s true in these movies.

The final scene with the rain is Paul folding space between Arrakis and Caladan. This power was detailed in the movie as belonging to the Guild Navigators, so having Paul demonstrate this power showed his growth as a spice recipient and as the Kwisatz Haderach. The movie didn't go into the life cycle of the worms, so the consequences of rain on Arrakis were not known to the movie goers. Turning the weirding way into sound powered ray guns was ... not ideal. But kung fu on sand dunes would have been just as poor a choice, if not worse. Imagine the fight scenes between the Fremen and the Sardaukar: The Fremen somehow manage to close to knife and fist range with legions of Sardaukar who are armed with lasguns, stunners, and Maula pistols, how? And then once in hand to hand range the Fremen start beating them up using martial arts. Yeah, that's not going to play well. Being limited to a typical movie run time, 1984's Dune did as best as could be expected. Every other adaptation, finished or not, has had much more time to explore the setting.

Without this movie and the television cut, I would never have discovered the books which I love.Its not the perfect film but I still love it.

The film could not be made today as we don't have the actors, as for the film it is probably the best sci fi film of the 80,s by production and special effects and continuity, it is a masterpiece.

Where did they get the weirding modules? The Fremen made them, in the same way they made their thumpers and other equipment. You must have missed the scene where Jessica and Paul discover not only the Ducal ring but PLANS for the weirding modules that Yueh left them. Did not do the research!

The plans for the modules were in the bags that Dr. Yuey left for them in the shuttle with the still suits. Did y’all actually watch the movie?

I actually liked the internal monologues- they added a depth that was necessary in describing Dune And I’d rather have someone who has actually read the books narrate and critique it That the narrator slams Lynch for not respecting the source material is rather ironic

Dunno what this lady is talking about but these are the top 10 things why people love dune lol

I have seen the 1984 version so many times I love it!!!The 2021version is remarkably similar to 1984!!!

I love Dune. I have the extended version. It makes a lot more sense

You listed this in your Top 10 Worst Book to Film Adaptations. Yet you praised it on multiple occasions as well. Personally, I don't hate this movie, I wouldn't say that this movie is completely without merit.

Personally I enjoy the 1984 film, yes it’s weird and wacky, but the characters are memorable and the internal monologues add to the mystery of the world and separates the film even further from any other sci-fi films of the era. I also don’t think the film is as incomprehensible as people claim, you only need a basic understanding of the novel to be able to follow it.

I have always loved the 1984 version of Dune. Adapting books to movies has always been tricky. It's impossible to include everything. I watched the movie long before I read the book. For me, the book made the original even better.

The bad cutting is actually a shame for this movie and by far its worst problem. As many mistakes as it may have - I still absolutely love it! The actors are great and I just love its gloomy, mystic atmosphere and the spoken thoughts of people are definitely a part of that. Weird & beautiful. Just great art.

It's crazy.... The original cut SUCKS, but the extended edition is a true masterpiece

Uh, did you geniuses realize that Kyle MacLachlan was 25 in Dune 1984, the same age the dude in Dune 2021 is?

Mojo, give up. The comments below are clear: you don't know what you're talking about. 84 Dune is largely loved.

The theatrical version. The 4 hour and 15 minutes version, I assure you, is not.

after watching dune 2021, i realized how dune 1984 was beyond it's time

The main problem with Dune was that it was made 7 years after Starwars with the same special effects technology used in the Wizard of Oz. The green screens and matte paintings were especially bad. The other problem is that Lynch makes his actors deliver their lines in an unnatural stilted fashion which he did in Twin Peaks and Eraserhead which doesn't work in Science Fiction because you need to relate to the characters as normal which is what Lucas did in Starwars.

My dad took me to see Dune when I was 6. I had almost no idea what was going on but the Barron disgusted and terrified me, the sandworms amazed me, and the transformation of both men and Arrakis mystified me and left a mark in my soul that I would carry through childhood into my own adulthood. Lynch did the novel great justice with the tools at his disposal.

I loved and still love the Lynch's Dune. It's cheesy, and different, and also misses the mark on certain key aspect of the source material. But it's still something worth to watch. Even if Villeneuve's Dune turns out to be the best adaptation of Frank Herbert's work to date (and I believe so because, come on, Villneuve is a genius), I will still love it because he made me discover the books

If you watch the movie when paul and Jessica are in the desert after they crash and they find the stash that Yueh hid away for them it continues to show you they found module blueprints in with the other supplies. Seems as that isn’t that big of a plot hole

11. Sean Young. (Period) 12. when the movie was released, it was accompanied with a pamphlet that plugged several plot holes as well as having family trees, which planets were which, the hierarchy of the major house families and a few choice words that required frequent translation. Naturally, these only lasted for about a week before they were out of print. I was lucky enough to get one, tho I threw it into the fire one night in a fit of pique...

I would take this over ANY Brian Herbert, Kevin Anderson book.