Don’t know about the best 3 hour cut per se but having a quick look around fanedit.org I’d say this version sounds like it could be my definitive version of Dune once I get a chance to download and watch it.
https://ifdb.fanedit.org/dune-the-alternative-edition-redux/
.Val
Just finished watching this, in two sittings. I had high hopes for it after reading the glowing reviews, but sadly it falls far short of what I’d like in a David Lynch Dune movie. There are now two prologues when there should be only one. The first 20 minutes are even more of an infodump than they were in the Theatrical version, and much of the extended material fails to add anything of substance. The Harkonnens are still entirely too gross, the story still entirely too somniferous.
One bright point is the addition of more Gurney Halleck. Never say no to more Patrick Stewart. Some of the additional Fremen scenes added welcome perspective. The ending is much more in keeping with the spirit of the book.
In summary: I’m glad I watched it, but I’m still waiting for a leaner, more dynamic edit of Lynch’s work.