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Dune [2000] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
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This mini-series’ TV origins are evident in the sub-Playstation special effects, but the production uses its money where it counts most, in splendid sets and costumes. Apart from the stars, the cast are mostly East European character actors and their accents lend a nice sense of exoticism. Of course, the mini-series lacks the sheer visual splendour of David Lynch’s flawed interpretation, but it does explore the undercurrent of religious fanaticism on Dune much more effectively. Alec Newman, as Paul Atreides, also convinces on his journey from threatened fugitive to demi-god ruler of the known universe. Of course, there are the inevitable irritations. This version’s cockney septuagenarian Gurney Halleck is no match for Patrick Stewart’s wonderful grizzled warrior/poet. But then, we don’t have to put up with Sting as Feyd Rautha. Sometimes the costumer veers too close to an Aladdin Christmas panto, and the stillsuits, so gorgeously flattering in the Lynch film, are simply rubbish. But the advantage of this version is that you can watch it with Dune newbies instead of the Lynch version knowing you won’t have to be explaining what the devil is going on every 15 minutes. No version of a book as complex as Dune will ever be perfect, not even in that alternate universe where Lynch’s original 5hr 40min cut still exists. But this series is the most coherent and intelligible version we have. I ordered the sequel immediately.
Our Price: £5.44 (subject to change)
Never mind the effects, enjoy the story
Review date: 2005-11-23 Rating: 8 out of 10
At 295 minutes across 3 DVDs I expected this Director’s Cut to provide three evenings of entertainment, but I was pleasantly surprised to find myself eagerly loading one disc after another. With much more screen time than the Lynch movie, this Sci-Fi Channel production has ample time for character development and clear plotlines: the complexities of the Dune universe become an asset to the story rather than an impediment, as they should be.
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Reviews
More intricate than the last attempt
Review date: 2004-11-19 Rating: 10 out of 10
A little different interpretation than the movie; however with the time allotted to a mini-series there was more time for detail.
Now this is a very entertaining mini-series. The time was taken to explain more instead of just implying things and making you guess what they are talking about. Not using such spectacular sets forced then to do some fairly good acting to make up for that. The story did not come to an abrupt end. This leads me to thing it is left open on purpose as a pilot for a TV series.
Many complex plots overlap, from greed over a commodity to a peoples struggle to be free. We see all the spectrums of the good and bad of mankind. We see also a Joseph Campbell type of hero's struggle where the sleeper awakes.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Jan Vlasák
James Watson (IV)
Alec Newman
William Hurt
Saskia Reeves
Creators:
William Hurt (Primary Contributor)
Alec Newman (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Live/Artisan
Manufacturer: Live/Artisan
EAN: 0012236125297
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 3
Format: Anamorphic, Box set, Closed-captioned, Colour, Director's Cut, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, NTSC, Special Edition, Widescreen,
Release date: 2002-06-11
Universal product code (UPC): 012236125297
Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 295 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2000-12-03
Language: English (Original Language)