Search - Dune [Extended Edition] on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Content Advisory: Not For Children, Adult Language, Sci-Fi Violence Movie Release: 1984 DVD Release: 01/31/2006 Format: DVD - Color,Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 57 mins Studio: Universal Studios Members Wishing: 39 Genres: Science Fiction, Sci-Fi Action, Space Adventure See Also: Dune, Dune [HD DVD], Dune

David Lynch wades through dark waters in his adaptation of Frank Herbert's cult science fiction novel. In condensing Herbert's rambling and complex book by eliminating characters and compacting events, Lynch succeeds in rendering the story incomprehensible to those unfamiliar with the novel and making the film look like a sketchy greatest hits collection of the book for Herbert fans. The story takes place in the year 10,191. The universe is governed through a system of feudal rule, presided over by Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV (José Ferrer), who appears to take his marching orders from something that resembles a talking vagina. In the kingdom are two rival houses -- the House of Atreides and the House of Harkonnen. Each house is trying to gain dominion over the universe, but that dominion can only be gained by the house that controls the Spice, a special substance that permits the folding of time. The Spice is only available on the desert world of Arrakis, or Dune. Shaddam, tired of the feuding between the two houses, permits the Atreides to take over the Spice production on Dune, while secretly working with the Harkonnens to launch a sneak attack on the Atreides and destroy them. The leader of the Atreides is Duke Leto (Jürgen Prochnow), who rules with the help of his concubine Jessica (Francesca Annis) and son Paul (Kyle MacLachlan). The rival Harkonnens are headed by the pus-oozing degenerate Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Kenneth McMillan, in a thoroughly through-the-roof performance) and his two unsavory nephews, Rabban (Paul L. Smith) and Feyd (Sting). When his father is murdered by the Harkonnens, Paul escapes to Dune, where he is greeted by the Fremen (the desert dwellers on Dune who prepare the Spice) as the messiah foretold in Fremen legend. Paul assumes the mantle of messiah and leads the Fremen in a revolt that topples the balance of power in the universe. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Francesca Annis - Lady Jessica
Leo Cimino - The Baron's Doctor
Brad Dourif - Piter De Vries
José Ferrer - Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV
Linda Hunt - Shadout Mapes
Kyle MacLachlan - Paul Atreides
Jürgen Prochnow - Duke Leto Atreides

After years of waiting and anticipating, Universal has finally unleashed an official release of the Dune Extended Cut out on the DVD marketplace. Presented with the original theatrical cut (which still sports David Lynch's credit, since he took his name off of the longer cut), this dual-sided disc is a wish come true for many, even if it could have been given a bit more love from a company like Criterion, who pride themselves on their highest standard of quality. Picture and sound quality for both cuts are quite good, with the Extended Cut benefiting greatly from the new remastering. And while the extras are missing any involvement from Lynch, what is provided is a fine testament to the technical wizardry that has been lost with the advent of modern computer graphics movie magic. Four featurettes are presented focusing on the technical aspects of the film, with one more to present the extra deleted scenes and the story behind the long-rumored four-hour cut. Add in a photo gallery and a slim pseudo-tin case and viewers have a nice reason to chuck their long-dated bootlegs for this sharp package of the sci-fi classic. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide