World Famous Comics: Frank Herbert's Dune (Sci-Fi TV Miniseries) (Special Edition Director's Cut) (3-Disc DVD Set)
Frank Herbert's Dune (Sci-Fi TV Miniseries) (Special Edition Director's Cut) (3-Disc DVD Set)
Starring: William Hurt, Alec Newman, Saskia Reeves, James Watson (IV), Jan Vlasák Directed By: John Harrison Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1 Audience Rating: Unrated Binding: DVD Format: Anamorphic, Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Director's Cut, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Artisan Home Entertainment Number of Items: 3 Region Code: 1 Release Date: June 11, 2002 Running Time: 295 minutes Theatrical Release Date: December 03, 2000
Amazon.com: It's a mixed blessing, but Frank Herbert's Dune goes a long way toward satisfying science fiction purists who scoffed at David Lynch's previous attempt to adapt Herbert's epic narrative. Ironically, director John Harrison's 288-minute TV miniseries (broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel in December 2000) offers its own share of strengths and weaknesses, which, in retrospect, emphasize the quality of Lynch's film while treating Herbert's novel with more comprehensive authority. Debate will continue as to which film is better; Lynch's extensive use of internal monologue now seems like a challenge well met, and Harrison's more conventional approach is better equipped to convey the epic scope of Herbert's interplanetary political intrigue.
This much is certain: this Dune is a sumptuous treat for the eyes, with sets and costumes that were conceived with no apparent limits of budget or creativity. In terms of architecture alone, this is one of the most impressive films in science fiction history. And although the special effects fall short of feature-film quality, writer-director Harrison (who rose from an extensive background in TV) admirably tames the sprawling narrative that pits the opposing houses of Atreides and Harkonnen in a struggle to control the lucrative market for the spice melange. This is as accurate as any Dune adaptation is likely to get (i.e., there's no need for another attempt), and even then, it can be tricky to keep track of who's doing what to whom. Unfortunately, the film's biggest flaws are the casting of a nearly comatose William Hurt as Duke Leto, and a wooden Alec Newman as the messiah-to-be, Paul Atreides. These are regrettable shortcomings, but this Dune remains altogether respectable. That Frank Herbert would be impressed is perhaps the biggest compliment one can pay. --Jeff Shannon
Nice Quality! The price for this movie made me go "hmmm". I thought it was a joke or that the movie was so badly scratched that it would never be capable of playing again, but ,alas, this movie was in great condition as was the packaging and the integrity of the seller. Well sold!
Favorite Mini Series I love this series. I cannot say enough good things about it. This series was pretty accurate compared to the novel, but slightly long -- But, you could not expect this series to be shorter considering the details in the novel. Without the vital details -- this series would of SUCKED! Kudo's for this series. The only thing that upset me was they stopped the series. I WANT MORE- DARN -IT!
Nicely Done While this version is still a bit campy like the original Dune movie it also covers more of the material (due to its length). If you're a fan of the story it might be worth your time to give it a watch.
An excellent science fiction class. Dune is an accurate re-telling of the original story written by Frank Herbert. In some ways, it is more accurate than the earlier film directed in the 1970's. Dune is unlike many other science-fiction thrillers in its lack of extra-terrestrial alien species; most of the "alien" life in the film presents itself in the form of gargantuan, sand-burrowing worms, or perhaps as the spice-evolved Spacing Guild. Even the native Arrackian inhabitants known as the Fremen are more or less human, having been descended from religious settlers who travelled to the planet long ago.
All-in-all, this movie is a fantastic production of Dune. Every Herbert reader should watch this and also its sequel, Children of Dune. Most unfortunately, these two films only occupy a relatively small time span within the Herbert's entire literary Duniverse, focusing mostly upon the legacy of Duke Leto Atreides, his son Paul, Paul's son Leto II. The films do not even touch upon much of the overall Dune saga, and could never possibly begin to go in-depth on the saga's rich prehistory including the beginnings of the Cymek invasion and the Butlerian Jihad. Also, the film does not present an accurate foretelling of the eventual ultimate outcome of the Dune saga, presented in the Brian Herbert book God Emporer of Dune.
Dune fans: Watch this film. Buy it if possible. You will laud it.
brilliant I bought this dvd for my husband he thought it was brilliant! He is a real big fan of DUNE. He had read the book which was jam packed full of detail and this one was the closest to the book, not like the original one he has on video. To all Dune fans this a must watch movie!
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