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D U N E - D E L U X E E D I T I O N ( R E L E A S E D ) — Page 2

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I’ve never seen Dune, so I would like to start with your cut of it. I’d love a link PM’d to me if you’re able to, friendo. Thanks!

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 (Edited)

Well! Just finished watching your edit of DUNE and I have to say, the is now THE definitive version for me. I think you’ve done a brilliant job here, considering what you had to work with.
First off, I have never seen the extended version. I had kind of avoided it, as I’m not the biggest fan of putting material from the cutting floor back into a film to create a so-called ‘extended version’ (Gladiator is a prime example of this), unless is it a change authorised by the director (but, then again, uh… take the Redux version of Apocalpyse Now - oh dear). However, I felt that the additions you’ve made here only serve to give an epic film an even grander scale. It was tastefully done, I felt, and the inclusion of more dialogue gave the film a more well-rounded feel. I particularly enjoyed seeing more of Stilgar; really like the way Everett McGill plays it.
I only watched the Blu ray version a few months ago for the very first time and hadn’t picked up on most of the issues you’ve highlighted in your edit, save the obvious contrast issues with the composites. It’s always had the worn 80’s sci-fi look about it. But I’ve just gone back and played the 2 versions (original, and yours) side-by-side, to look at the edit differences. And it is shocking. The Bluray is far too dark, for one thing. And your sound mix is also far richer.
The dialogue edits were also tastefully done. A snip here and there, and it all just comes together nicely. Likewise, the opticals: exchanging desert shots for more realistic ones, for example, and even the addition of wire mesh to the windows of Piter’s cable car. A small detail, perhaps easily overlooked by the casual viewer, but as a completionist, I thought it was an inspired bit of work! You also did your best to equalise the various contrast issues with FX elements. And Paul’s fall from the cliff was, as you said, comical. I’ve always been annoyed by how far it went on, like a Warner Bros cartoon, so good edit there.
I truly loved the replacement of the score at the end of the film with the ‘Final Dream’ piece, though. That did it for me. Really packed an emotional punch, that. It really pumps up the whole messianic ending.
I’d only mention a couple of criticisms:
The colour grading throughout was expertly done. But I found the brightness in your edit was a touch too high, which created a bit of a washed-out look to some scenes. Again, working with the source material you had, I think you did the best you could there. I think maybe I’ve been spoiled by films in a 4K HDR scan!
I wasn’t too keen on the expanded section during the arrival at Arrakis. The dialogue spoken over the newly-added, and beautiful, desert shots just repeated stuff we’ve already heard earlier in the film - in much the same way as that infamously unnecessary scene with Jabba in Star Wars ANH SE. I defo preferred the original cut: short and to the point. But it’s a personal preference, as I say.
The dialogue in the final fight scene between Paul & Feyd was very echoey on your edit, and was lost a little in the sound mix. Again, the original’s mix wasn’t that great either, but in this version it was quite jarring. Your addition of the chanting/drums, however, was absolutely spot-on. (The dialogue did fade under the weight of the music on a few other occasions, but I can’t specify where).
Personally, I would also have edited out as much of Paul Smith’s over-the-top ‘villainous’ laughter as possible 😉
To sum up: a LOT of work has gone into this edit, and it really REALLY shows. Your attention to detail is to be commended, sir. But it has certainly highlighted one thing: this film needs a proper restoration from the negative. And it deserves it, too. It’s a cult classic, right up there with Blade Runner, I’d say. Not only because of the dated FX shots, the colourisation, and the lighting. But also the completely out-of-focus/blurry shots scattered throughout the film. If David Lynch isn’t interested in doing a revision of this particular work (which I very much believe is the case), then I think you should definitely be involved with whoever takes it on, even if only as a consultant! Hats off to you, sir, and thanks again! 😃 pw

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I really like the sound of your edit without seeing it yet.

Have a dig through this thread particularly about structure of the opening and the big chunk of still further deleted material.

https://originaltrilogy.com/topic/Dune-radical-fan-edit-ideas/id/65328/page/1

If you are planning a version 2 then there is scope to go further with some structural issues and visual effects.

But if you feel done with it and happy then no problem but I think there is still more to unlock about the film I wont list them all out but let me know if you feel like doing more.

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Watched it, thanks a lot. I enjoyed it, as much as one can enjoy this movie at all. Personally, I think that SpiceDiver’s REDUX edit is a little bit better content-wise, but that is an unfair comparison. Your goal is something different and I think you achieved it.

You have certainly produced the cleanest, most polished version yet from a visual standpoint. The new desert shots were utterly seamless, I was really impressed when I failed to even notice the first one. And, without sounding over-enthusiastic, this is the BEST version “vanilla”-version of the movie, that is a cut that follows what was released back then.

The file is a keeper 😃

Pulsewidth said:
(never read the book… it’s on my list on things to do during lockdown haha)

The words must flow! The words have granted me increased intelligence for over 20 years.

For seventeen years the renegade Pfhor scoutship jumped between the closely packed stars of the galactic core. And all over the ship, dancing through the wreckage of the Pfhor computer core, Durandal was laughing…

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This looks amazing! Can I get a PM link?

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Awesome job done here… it looks stunning! May I humbly ask for download link?

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This sounds like my dream version of Dune! Could I please get a link? Many thanks!

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Would love a link to your edit please?

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Been hearing a lot of positive buzz about your cut, 15 MaF, would appreciate a link so I can check your work out for myself!

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Hi - would love to check out your edit.

Have seen almost every version and fan release of Dune and was very impressed with Spicedriver’s Alternative Edition Redux cut from a few years back (despite some of the issues with the footage quality of the deleted scenes included and the ending.)

There’s talk of a 4K release coming out of the theatrical edition later this year (no doubt as a tie-in with the new film’s eventual release)

Hope to see this if possible!

Thanks

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I have been directed here from a Facebook dune fan page. The rave review has certainly piqued my interest and the write up on your process has solidified my respect for your knowledge of the process and content you are working with. I would be most grateful for a link so that I can watch your cut.

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Wow! It sounds amazing. I need to watch this version too. Do you have a link to share, please?

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Wow, I’ve dreamed of something like this existing and now here it is!! Thanks for all your hard work, I’d love to see it. Could you PM a link?

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Same here. I am interested. PM me.

By the way, as now as known somewhere on this site, work has been completed on a new 185-min. fan edit of DUNE which I have seen (hopefully some announcement will be made elsewhere in this forum). Anyway some anonymous fan has created a new edit of the film using all known existing footage legitimately shot by David Lynch including material from the theatrical and Allen Smithee cuts of the film, and the outtakes first seen in the DVD release. It follows the structure of SpiceDiver’s “Alternative Edition” but otherwise avoids the objectionable edits of the Smithee cut, although some of the male narration had to remain in this new edit of the film for continuity purposes, and most of the prologue that was repurposed for SpiceDiver’s cut also remains.

Any questions, please PM me.

“Hear you nothing that I say?”
-Yoda

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Still waiting for my PM.

“Hear you nothing that I say?”
-Yoda

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This sounds incredibly exciting and, I would love it if you would PM me the link! Thanks so much for your work. I look forward to watching it!

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I already gazed through the DUNE SE and have now seen just about every fan edit of the film that attempts, in their own way, to do justice to what David Lynch himself would have come up with had he been given Final Cut.

By now, however, most of you fans will have seen a new edit that is out there that attempts to merge all known available footage shot by Lynch into a 185-min. cut. While the structure is based on the SpiceDiver cut, it otherwise does it’s best to avoid the controversial edits and changes of the Allen Smithee TV cut while providing a cohesive story to order to be the most complete version of the film possible within the digital realm. Sections of the male narration heard in the Smithee version had to be left in for continuity purposes. Plus, most of the intended Toto musical cues have been restored here and there, most notably in the Sandcrawler, Betrayal, and Paul Kills Feyd scenes.

The creator of this edit produced this in response to the upcoming Koch German deluxe import which will include two extended cuts—one the Smithee cut (for the first time in an HD format), and a second extended cut whose details are not yet revealed except for the people behind this new set. The new 185 min. edit was intended by its creator for those fans who may be unable to get the Koch set, possibly due to region lock.

Now that you understand, I can tell you I do have this edit. If any questions, PM me.

“Hear you nothing that I say?”
-Yoda

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This looks amazing 😃

Assimilate THIS!

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I’m so sorry everyone. I’ve been quite unwell for a while and I haven’t had the chance until now to thank anyone for the PM with the link which I got in December.

It was a wonderful watch. I doubt that a better version could be made than this given the source material. Many thanks for the time and love spent on this project.

And my sincerest apologies again for taking soooo long to say thank you.

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Hi 15MaF, I’d love to get a chance to watch your edit. If you are still sharing your work, I’d be grateful for a PM link.
Thanks!

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I just stumbled upon this, and I’m very keen to watch this! Could I please have a link? Thanks in advance.