Search - Frank Herbert's Dune (Sci-Fi TV Miniseries) (Special Edition Director's Cut) (3-Disc DVD Set) on DVD

RD C. (allepaca) from TEMPE, AZ
Reviewed on 3/19/2010...

This is it-- the Special Edition, widescreen, 3-disk Director's Cut of the Emmy-winning Sci-Fi Channel's miniseries version of DUNE. It stars William Hurt, Alec Newman, Giancarlo Giannini, Saskia Reeves, and the gorgeous Barbora Kodetova as Chani. Almost 5 hours of top-notch sci-fi!

Finally done as a tale of this scope must be done --as an extended series-- with much better character development and plot continuity than Lynch's film version was ever able to convey in it's limited time frame (and budget). The acting is great, and the screenplay is quite faithful to Herbert's original story, with a few enhancements intended to convey subtleties not easily converted to film.

Of course Herbert fans and Sci-Fi fans in general would wish that someone would make a version that was COMPLETELY in line with the novel (Peter Jackson, perhaps?). . . but of course, that's probably not possible in a film format. At least not if the producers don't want to go broke in the process. (Are you listening, Pete? This could be a challenge. . . .) A version that had some of the best special effects, lighting, and music from Lynch's version, combined with the length and development of this one (without the obvious breaks for commercials), would sure be nice.

But anyway, as it stands now this made-for-cable version is still the best one available, by far. Honestly, the first time I saw Lynch's movie I felt sorry for anyone who hadn't read the book and wasn't already familiar with all of the characters and plot points that whisked by, in seconds. This minseries version stands on its own. It develops the story fully, fleshes out all the characters nicely, and has much more inspired casting (not just "which stars are available this month"--probably what killed Lynch's budget) Oh yes-- and Barbora is much more believable, and sexy, than Sean.

I know more than one person who was introduced to Herbert's tale via this miniseries when it ran on cable (commercials and all), and have since become real fans.

This (3-disk) version includes thirty minutes of never-before-seen footage, and a huge amount of extras-- production & cast commentary, 5 separate featurettes, a sci-fi author's round-table discussion, a critique-essay, photo gallery, etc. So if you like Dune, and want some great images to link to your memories of it, Get This Version!

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Jeff P.
Reviewed on 3/31/2009...

Follows the novel more closely than the original movie from the 80's. The style is radically different-- a more rustic / lower tech / less dark feeling this time around. However, I gotta day, I loved the special effects in the orig film more (and it was 20+ years older).

The almost 5 hour long made-for-TV movie moves along fast and ends much to quickly! I want more Dune!

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.