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Dune -- Two-disc Special Edition [1984]
![Dune -- Two-disc Special Edition [1984]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41CS8QFT5BL._SL160_.jpg)
The first disc contains a new anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 transfer taken from a High Definition archive copy of the 1984 film, further restored to remove dirt and scratches, and a Dolby Digital 5.1 remix as well as the original stereo soundtrack. The film looks superb and sounds almost as good, though a DTS soundtrack would have been welcome. This is much superior to the average making-of, featuring significant new contributions from Kyle MacLachlan, producer Raffaella De Laurentiis, cinematographer Freddie Francis and others--though David Lynch is conspicuous by his absence. Destination Dune is a six-minute promotional featurette made by Sammon at the time of the film's release and the 4:3 image is fairly poor quality. An 83-second BBC interview with Frank Herbert is too short to be of more than passing interest, though the original trailer is a fine example of the 1980's way of selling movies. The set is completed with routine cast and crew profiles. Even with no involvement from Lynch and no commentaries, this is still the best Dune on DVD. --Gary S. Dalkin
RRP: £9.99
Our Price: £10.00 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
This two-disc special edition release of David Lynch's 1984 film Dune presents the same cut as originally shown theatrically, but with an improved transfer compared to the previous DVD edition and with the addition of new and archive documentary material. In case of confusion, it should be noted that this is not any of the following versions: the re-edited TV movie adaptation of Lynch's film, the long-sought-after extended version Lynch screened for cast and crew in January 1984, a new Director's Cut, or the Sci-Fi Channel mini series.
Not bad, but could have been better
Review date: 2008-05-12 Rating: 8 out of 10
Although this David Lynch adaptation of the books does them no justice what so ever I still enjoyed the film both on its original release and even now. No film is ever going to be like the book and some, like this, are extremely removed from their original written version.
Although it is 24 years old it is not a bad film to watch and it did lead me into reading the books when I was older.
Amazon is confusing this film with the SCI-FI Channel mini series and vice versa which is a whole different kettle of critical sand trout.
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Reviews
Read the book, trust me on this.
Review date: 2008-02-04 Rating: 2 out of 10
The book and its sequals are classics of Science-fiction literature.
The film however is quite frankly boring! Bad acting, bad script, and some of the ropiest effects i've ever had the misfortune to witness. The only saving grace is the soundtrack, simply brilliant. Shame about the rest of the film. It was clearly made as a competitor to Star Wars (which is itself influenced by the original novel) and not much thought went into it. It does have its moments, but not enough to risk becoming comatose.
The stroy really does deserve a new attempt at turning it into a film, possibly a two or three parter to fit more in. If Peter Jackson could make such a good job of LoTR, long considered to be unfilmable, then surely someone could make a good job of Dune.
If your a fan of the books and have never seen the film, avoid like the plague
A word about the restored print and widescreen...
Review date: 2007-12-04 Rating: 10 out of 10
I won't go into too much depth about the film and plot here, suffice to say this is a breathtaking but ultmately flawed Sci-Fi cult classic from an amazing director. Made on the cusp of change from live action sets and extras to CGI enhanced environments, this is one of the last of it's kind in it's sense of vast worlds, shots, sets and scale... It's a truly astonishing feat of filmamking which was cuelly rejected on it's release considering Lynch never had final cut.
In short, you can certainly see where all that money went...
...and how you can see it better than ever on this remastered DVD. The new print and accompanying audio are simply stunning. Picture is crisp, clear, stable and rich. But, best of all, this DVD is presented in anamorphic format, so the hideous, massive black letterboxing of the older PAL release is now gone and you can finally enjoy the film in it's full glory. My Sony TV has a 'zoom' mode too which gets rid of the (now tiny) remaining black bars for a simply gorgeous full-screen ride...
I compared my archaic PAL DVD from a few years ago with this new version last night and the difference is clear...
Even if you own this movie already (as I did) you owe it to yourself to enjoy it properly, and as we're unlikely to ever get Lynch's much mystiqued 3 or 4 hour directors cut, it's probably going to be the best (and only director approved) version of this troubled classic you'll ever see...
A clarification....
Review date: 2007-06-06 Rating: 10 out of 10
Just thought I needed to set the record straight for Frank Herbert fans...
In the review by "O. E. Andryszewski", he/she states that much of this film is taken from Star Wars, or Star Trek. The fact of the matter is that Dune was first published in 1965, over a decade before Star Wars (1977), and still a full year ahead of the first appearance of Star Trek (1966). David Lynch's vision of the book is, bar a number of changes designed to facilitate a faster flowing narrative, an accurate version of Frank Herbert's original novel, and takes nothing from Star Trek/Wars. In actuality, Frank Herbert's original story of Dune is more likely to have influenced Star Trek and Star Wars than the other way around, although in my opinion, all stand alone as very different styles of science-fiction.
Frank Herbert's Dune stands as one of the most epic and complete science fiction universes ever created, and this cut of the film presents a great introduction to it. Highly recommended.
Not your typical Lynch film..
Review date: 2007-03-18 Rating: 4 out of 10
I bought this DVD to add yet another David Lynch film to my collection. I am a huge fan of his and have many of his movies. So I bought this hoping it will be another mind-bending masterpiece, and am hugely disappointed. I think even for fans of sci-fi, this film isn't the best thing to go for..
There are a lot of elements from this film taken from Star Wars. This film was actually originally made to compete with Star Wars in creating a sci-fi epic. Some people may think that this film achieved that, but which is the more well known? And for a reason. I noticed too many elements taken from other films and series, mainly Star Wars and Star Trek. I didn't even find myself drawn into the film in any way. Maybe because I am not as into sci-fi as others, but I was simply not interested in any of the film.
(P.O.I. David Lynch was actually asked to direct Return of the Jedi from George Lucas, but turned it down as he thought it would be more of Lucas' vision than his own. Then he made this.)
If, like me, you are a big Lynch fan, not that much into sci-fi and just hoping this film will be another great film by Lynch I would recommend not to buy this film. If you love anything sci-fi, and want to see a rip-off of Star Wars with a few new elements then you might as well try it and see for yourself.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Kyle MacLachlan
Sian Phillips
Francesca Annis
Sting
Kenneth McMillan
Director(s):
Recording label: Sanctuary Visual Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sanctuary Visual Entertainment
EAN: 5050749500946
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Box set, PAL, Special Edition,
Release date: 2005-07-04
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Running time: 137 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1984-12-14
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Italian (Original Language)