Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2959 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-06-11
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Director's Cut, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 295 minutes

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

DVD features
Owing to the differing broadcast standards of global television, the director's cut of Frank Herbert's Dune essentially combines the international versions originally broadcast in 2000. Several scenes are new to American audiences, including some brief and tasteful nudity, but the real benefit comes from scenes that clarify the politics and betrayals that arise between the houses of Atreides and Harkonnen. In his articulate and informative commentary track, writer-director John Harrison illuminates the value of these scenes, while additional DVD supplements explore the challenges of production and, most eloquently, the artistic philosophy of cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, whose color strategies are outlined in interviews and an intellectual essay. And while the "Defining the Messiah" and "Science Future/Science Fiction" supplements are not directly related to the film, they place this epic production (and Frank Herbert's legacy) into a rich and meaningful perspective. Even if viewed only once, these and other features provide valuable context for a deeper appreciation of Harrison's ambitious adaptation. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Not a Bad Intro to Dune
I must confess I had never read Frank Herbert's novel prior to seeing this, but I happened to see this nicely-packaged 3-DVD set for sale at 7.99 (new) at my local Blockbuster. I wasn't expecting much, but this hooked me in right away, and it made me want to read the novel, which I have just started. I am now kicking myself for not having read this great book years ago. What a great read.

I am only about halfway through the novel, but I can see that this film version is pretty faithful to it. A lot of the dialogue appears to have been taken right out of the book.

Years ago, when I was a kid, I saw the film version of _Dune_ (the one with Sting in it) and I found it incomprehensible. Maybe that's why I stayed away from the book. Maybe it's just because I'm older now, but this version seemed very easy to follow for someone who has not read the novel.

The basic storyline is simple: Duke Leto (good guy) has been assigned by the Empire to take over operations on Arrakis (Dune), the desert planet which supplies everyone with the Spice (a mysterious drug). The problem is that the current chief, a repulsive fat guy from the House of Harkonnen, wants to kill Leto and his family. Before Leto ever leaves his home planet, Harkonnen's agents kill him and send his son and wife into exile on the planet Dune. The primitive outlanders called Fremen who live on Dune soon recognize Leto's son as the Maud Dib (like a messiah), and Maud Dib (whose real name is Paul Atreides) leads a revolt (jihad) against the Harkonnen oppressors.

Great stuff, very entertaining. Impressive special effects for a made-for-TV production (good sandworms, man!). The only major flaw in this is William Hurt's wooden, uninspired acting. He really looks like he's not having a good time acting in this. That's a shame, because he's a fine actor.

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.