The extended prologue has been left out of this version by choice. Lynch never intended it to be included. The producers of the extended television version cobbled it together to explain the plot elements to an audience that would be viewing the television version over a two–night period. We felt that the prologue should not be included. Many fans regard the extended prologue as somewhat sloppy, and slows down the pace of the film. Fans of the extended prologue can find the footage as an Easter Egg, someplace within this DVD set.
Some fans may ask, “Why is Princess Irulan the narrator of the theatrical version?” She is the narrator, because Paul must take Irulan as his wife in order to satisfy political traditions of the Emperor. With this fate, Paul’s story is also Irulan’s. Unfortunately without this final revelation of plotline, Irulan’s presence as a supporting character or narrator is puzzling. Maybe one day, this still–missing scene will make its way into the bonus features of an officially–released “DUNE” DVD.
David Lynch strongly objected to the extended television version of DUNE, and insisted on having his name removed from the writer and director credits of the TV version.
Fanfiltration felt it is only right to credit this version of DUNE to writer Judas Booth and director Alan Smithee, as Lynch has not approved this version.
Alan Smithee was a pseudonym used between 1968 and 1999 by Hollywood film directors who wanted to be disassociated from a film for which they no longer wanted credit. It was used when the director could prove to the satisfaction of a panel of members of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers that the film had been wrested from his or her creative control. The director was also required to keep the reason for the disavowal a secret. The pseudonym cannot be used to hide a director's failures. The choice of the pseudonym for Judas Booth as the writer’s credit may be meant to convey a feeling of creative assignation and betrayal.
The producers of the television version hastily reworked this scene with a redubbed voice for the 3rd Stage Navigator. Fanfiltration has reinserted a number of cut shots into this segment. The Emperor’s explanation of his plan to help the Harconans is from the Lynch version. The Navigator’s lines involving the spice’s importance is from the Smithee version. Fanfiltration included these lines to help viewers understand the importance of “the spice” to the characters and the plot. What follows is the somewhat altered 7th draft script, dated December 9, 1983.
15. INT. THRONE ROOM - EMPEROR'S PALACE - NIGHT
EMPEROR:
Can you hear me? If this visit has anything to do with spice...
-- The Guild Navigator shudders and swishes quite violently in his tank.
NAVIGATOR:
LISTEN TO ME!! The spice must flow…the spice has given me accelerated evolution for four thousand years…it has enabled you to live two hundred years…the spice helps make the sapho juice, which gives the red-lipped mentats the ability to be living computers…the secret side of spice…the water of life.
16. INT. HALLWAY - EMPEROR'S PALACE - NIGHT
REVEREND MOTHER (Voice Over):
He shouldn't speak of this…
15. BACK TO SCENE
NAVIGATOR:
…gives the Bene Gesserit sisterhood the metaphysical ability to see beyond…to have superior powers…Our power to fold space is in the spice…Without us, your empire would be lost on isolated scattered planets…You would be lost.
EMPEROR:
I can assure you…
NAVIGATOR:
Do not interrupt!!! Do not speak lightly of the spice…ONE SMALL POINT…
Most of this next scene plays out as it does in the theatrical version up to the end of the shield fight. Inserts from the television version will be indicated.
Some added lines between Paul and Dr.Yueh have been inserted from the television version.
The producers of the television version had reedited and rearranged a great amount of Toto’s soundtrack music, placing rehashed cues over many scenes that had no background music in the original Lynch version. This over–saturated soundtrack music presented Fanfiltration with many challenges when reediting scenes from the two versions.
The music cue under this scene is different then the Lynch version.
This version of the scene with Paul and a “Fighter” is from the television version, and includes a few more lines spoken by Gurney.
The television version has an overdubbed narration placed here that briefly tells us who the character of Duncan Idaho is.
This scene between Paul and his father is taken from the television version and contains extra dialogue, spoken by Duke Leto.
This extended scene is from the TV version, with extra dialogue between Jessica and the Reverend Mother.
The next *:** is identical to the theatrical version.