Originally posted by: Matt_Stevens
I'll be adding at least the last two deleted scenes.
The scene between Duke Leto and Thufir Hawat not long after their Arrakeen arrival (the "Mahdi" scene, a theme touched upon more substantially in the Sci-Fi Channel mini-series) would be another of the new DVD's deleted scenes worthy of inclusion into the new cut, adding greater layering and depth to Paul's eventual role as the Fremen messiah.
To say nothing of giving Duncan Idaho's presence in the film slightly more heft and importance, and being a nice quiet character moment betwixt the two comrades (much being spoken in the eyes alone, as opposed to aloud). The scene itself possessed no overlaid music cues at all, and would only require some "polishing" to bring the picture transfer up to spec with the rest of the film.
Originally posted by: focuspuller
I agree that the acting in most of the deleted scenes are not great. I feel that even though the extended opening acting is not great, we really need more expisition to help us roll along (just as the lord of the rings opening help set the tone). other then that I don't think most of those deleted scenes fit. I think the death of Jamus is a great moment to complete the scene from the extened version of the film. I don't feel that the Shadout Shouts bit works or fits if it were added in. The only other scene I would say that should probably be added is the death of thufar.
Rather, that brief moment towards the end of Jamis's funeral -- where Paul "gives water to the dead" -- is right out of Herbert's novel, and should be retained in the new edit, if at all possible. Re-telecining the footage up to DVD standard would probably have to occur, but it's likely workable.