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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Artisan Home Entertainment
Salesrank: 6190
Released: June 11, 2002 |
| Our Price: $8.99 |
| Used Price: $3.41 |
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MPAA Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Movie DVD
Description of Frank Herbert's Dune (Sci-Fi TV Miniseries) (Special Edition Director's Cut) (3-Disc DVD Set):
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
Frank Herbert's Dune (Sci-Fi TV Miniseries) (Special Edition Director's Cut) (3-Disc DVD Set) Reviews:
not that bad, but still... 
2009-10-28 - The biggest complaint I have is that this version gives you no sense of place. Nothing tells you what Arrakis really feels like - how beautiful and horrifying it is, and what it means to be stuck in a place that lets only the fittest survive. The Fremen? Well, they look like just another tv-series-medieval-village-folk (ok, their eyes glow at night. Not that it makes sense...) instead of the tough, lean, skinny desert fanatics they're supposed to be. They're just not that serious (and overacting certainly doesn't help). That's the number one reason for me to still prefer the Lynch version. Unfortunately, there's more: both set design and CGI ranges from nice (Arrakeen, the Guild fleet) to mediocre (the desert storm looked really bad). And while this version sticks closely to the novel, some bad choices were made in showing the world at work (again, the filmmakers didn't "get" the concept of the Voice, and made the actors speak through a tube or something).
This said, there are things in John Harrison's Dune, that work. I actually liked most of the performances - including William Hurt (portraying a noble man dead tired from digging himself out of a hole), and even Alec Newman (annoying at first, inhuman at the end, just how it should be). And kudos to Karel Dobry (Kynes - this is a Fremen if I ever saw one), P.H.Moriarty (Halleck), and Saskia Reeves (Jessica - very effective as the "moral center" of the story).
Much has been said about the costume designs for the "nobles". Sure, they do look weird, but come on. They are supposed to look decadent and, above all, RICH. And they do.
As for filming it all in a studio - it surely adds to the problem I started the review with, but then again Vittorio Storaro made the most of it - as can be expected from an artist of this caliber. A well-deserved Emmy.
Final thought: Dune is obviously a tough one to film. This version, while more understandable than the Lynch one, presents it's own set of problems. I hope someone tries filming it again - and if You, the future director, are reading this - please, don't treat it like fantasy. It may have strange visions, and giant bugs, but it's Science Fiction.
Genius! Lucky you, if you've not seen this & the other series to follow. 
2009-10-22 - Uh! What an amazing lost weekend you have ahead for yourself now! Stock up, invite your friends, get some great bold Italian Red Wines to sip, chocolate, maybe some cognac too, bring all necessary additional accoutrement so may you fold space in luxury. You are the Kwisatz Haderach, at least for the weekend, or as long as your girlfriend lets you. Welcome to the future! So long and thanks for all the fish!
Children of Dune is even better of course! Can't wait for more!
The thoroughness of the countless hours you can spend watching these two very lengthy renditions made for television are amazing. It took me all weekend to watch. This breaks all the molds for made for television. William Bloody Hurt is even in it as Duke Leto for gods' sakes!
I beheld this sand worm length rendition in marathon fashion without stopping -- after a while I saw tracers and had that space cadet glow with a little help from my friends, I am the Walrus, coo coo ca choocoo!
No really. It is superb if you love Herbert's work. If you don't like it, who cares. Don't bother to tell me as your limitations will go unheeded. All that holds meaning is what is what is meaningful. Keep your meaninglessness to yourself and free your mind.
Have a great time, let go a little...[...]
Dune
2009-09-30 - Both the TV and the Video tape of this movie had closed-caption, but NOT the DVD! Very dissapointed about this, being hard of hearing.
A great experience - and a bargain. 
2009-09-05 - Whether you've read the book or not, this miniseries is excellent.
Given the sheer scope and depth of Frank Herbert's novel, there was no way to include all of the characters, nuances, subtleties and background that made the book so unique.
Nonetheless this series does justice to Herbert's vision.
Which is more than can be said of the original 1984 David Lynch/Dino De Laurentiis movie version; that suffered from too much hyperbole, distortion and gimmickry. A pity.
If you have a choice, get the miniseries. And the soundtrack is first rate.
Great Movie
2009-08-29 - Many don't like Dune but I love it. I am drawn to the struggle to rise up against Tyrants and overcome. This product is as described. I will purchase more movies.
