[.ca] Dune: Special Edition Director's Cut (Widescreen) [3 Discs]

From 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

Additional 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

the other version:
I am a hardcore fan of Frank Herbert's science fiction. Since other people on here have written very good reviews, I will try to keep mine short and to the point. Yes, I agree very much with what Amazon.com had to say. The architecture is impressive. The sets are very interesting and the costumes, I believe, were made by a cutting edge French fashion agency. This is the strength of this version - the sets and costumes. However. The acting suffers greatly. Like most cg filled epics of our day, this one suffers from what I like to call "Video game cutscene syndrome." That is, that what should be an entertainment experience in its own right becomes little more than a computer graphics showcase (a non-interactive one, unlike a real video game). When acting is sacrificed for the sake of cg graphics, the result is little more than a crippled video game experience, one in which you are unable to control the action and must sit passively watching the equivalent of a video game cutscene. The acting is downright terrible, with the exception of the Baron and some of the development surrounding Duke Leto. This version, unlike the David Lynch one, is pure eye candy, nothing more, nothing less. However, I will say it was a noble attempt. I can see how hard they tried. I can recognize this. Therefore, I give it an average rating.

Sci Fi Shakespere:
There are a lot of arguments over hardcore David Lynch fans and fans of the movie compared to fans of this min series. So I am going to look at both in my review of this. Good points of the Lynch movie: Costumes, a lot of people consider this a strong point, they were from outer space, which was fitting. The makeup was a bit overdone, but worked for some characters, such as the mentats. The cinematography was interesting and original. Bad Points of the Lynch movie: It was choppy and poorly edited, they seem to jump over ideas and plot elements with little or no explanation. The baron wasn't believable, he was loud and thuggish, didn't seem at all like a leader a large group of people would follow. Sting was a poor choice for Feyd, Rabban was barely touched on. Some of the sequences were a bit cheesy, when they were riding the worms the music and the filming was almost laughable. Though I love Patric Stewart, he was too rigid as gurney hallek. There is also the interesting note that David Lynch hated this movie and considered it his weakest project. Allegedly his name wasn't on the poster but was attached to the movie later due to contractual obligations. The mini series Good points: It was much longer and had an open feel to it, didn't jump from place to place. They spent more time with some of the main characters. The empiress actually has a role rather than just a few lines. It followed the book, and added scenes that fit the story, i.e. the banquet on Arrakis, the Baron plotting with his nephews. The Harkonnens seemed more realistic; the Baron was a flamer, devious, and egotistical. Feyd seemed much more the spoiled sociopath that he was supposed to be. Rabban was thuggish and violent. Gurney Hallek was more animated and would play his instrument. The show had a feeling of a shakesperan play with the pacing and dialogue. the bad Two of the main actors weren't up to par. William Hurt was poorly chosen and seems more like a aide to a Duke than the Duke himself. Paul Artredes just seems lazy, like this wasn't the role he wanted, just the role he got. They didn't do what a lot of people were hoping for, more of a look into the Bene Gesseret. The Lady Jessica wasn't terrible, but also wasn't spectacular. She was a tough character though, someone who was basically a plant for another order who'd given up on her duties. All in all I did like some aspects of the David Lynch movie, which is saying a lot, I hate David Lynch's other movies. But in a whole I don't consider it a good movie. It is a collection of ideas, interesting sequences, and good costumes, not a good movie. Even the extended versions make you feel like you are missing something. Although it could be argued that parts of it were better than the mini series, they are only parts, not a movie. The mini series gave more of a broad view of the world of Dune. The characters are explored beyond what the book gave us. They also add scenes that were not originally in the novel, but they fit. Feyd's training on slave gladiators, Baron's plotting with his nephews, the banquet of the royal houses on Arrakis, the daily lives of the Freeman, etc.... For its shortcomings, it is a much better movie in the whole.

Great Movie!:
Great Acting,Great Script,Great Special Effects,Great Story!There are millions of Frank Herbert fans all across the world.Dune is one of those TV Miniseries that people will be talking about for years to come.Most Sci-Fi fans like Dune better than the original Star Wars trilogy.Most Star Trek fans said that they prefer Dune over all other Sci-Fi movies.Buy the Special Edition 3 DVD Set from Artisan Home Entertainment.Dune won an Emmy award for best tv miniseries."DUNE" is simply great!

A LETTER 4 JOHN HARRISON:
Actor Mark Hamill would made a terrific aging Moneo for 'God Emperor of Dune'. He's a memorable sci-fi icon. He can act and inexpen... well,he's not as expensive as Mr. McBeal. But you'll get a great mixture of star,talent & economical value. Really gives an advantage to the REAL STAR of the movie(s)... THE STORY to the great FINALE of the Atreides saga. Oh! about the movie..5 star for the daring effort of ARTISAN which no other company would try...just like NEW LINE CINEMA. BRAVO!!

Good, not great:
This seems like a pretty good adaptation for the mini-series format. The figures are clearly drawn, for people who came in late. The action is well paced, to keep people coming back. The characters are bold, and mythic, the way Herbert drew them originally. The script-writer has taken some liberties with the story. Well, some were needed for a successful screen play. The original books were masses of subtle and interlocked detail, way too much to convey on screen. If a few points were lost in the translation, it was because the TV series is a different dramatic language than the book. A few points were enhanced, too. Irulan, for example, is much stronger on screen than I remember her in the original. Perhaps her additional presence isn't 100% authentic - if so, I consider the difference very tolerable. There are a few points that didn't work for me. I'm not sure why the imperial soldiers wore their coloful dress uniforms into the field, for example, and the sword-vs-gun battles were a little hard to swallow. The color schemes were a bit florid, as well. Intense, ultramarine blue lighting meant "night", even when background lighting was of other color. Tangerine orange encoded the desert scenes, and so on. Some of these problems were fixed later in the series, but jarred in this set. It's watchable entertainment, and doesn't demand too much of the viewer. It's a bit long to watch all at one sitting, but was never intended as a single endurance exercise. I won't be giving this one away, but I won't be rushing back to it, either.