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Originally posted by: theredbaron
Yeah, but the question is, is Dune a good movie? and I'm flat-out just saying, "no, it's not". It doesn't stand on its own as a movie, and it doesn't distill the basic essence of what Dune is. All it gets down pat is some of the visuals (which isn't hard, what with sand and all that).
Hmm... I disagree with that, but only on the basis of the new extended DVD. The theatrical version was definitely a failure, being too chopped up and uncohesive to work. But the new extended version (with clean effects and widescreen throughout the whole film) is nearly perfect as a film, in my eyes. I think the basic essence of Dune is there (or at least very, very close to it)... AND it's a good film. I showed this version to my girlfriend who had never seen Dune before or read the book, and she also thought it was quite good.Yeah, but the question is, is Dune a good movie? and I'm flat-out just saying, "no, it's not". It doesn't stand on its own as a movie, and it doesn't distill the basic essence of what Dune is. All it gets down pat is some of the visuals (which isn't hard, what with sand and all that).
In terms of what part of the essence of Dune is missing from the film, I would say it doesn't get across the deeper roots of the fanatical religious aspect of the Fremen the way the book does. And that is a big part of the book. But I think that it's something more suited to the written word than to a film. This had to be pared back for the movie. Perhaps it was pared back just a little too much.
I'm also giving a lot of leeway to the film for the imposed limitations of the time. As was mentioned earlier, if Dune was done today it would be a three film epic like LOTR was. Back then that just wasn't done, unless you were George Lucas. And even then it was only because he earned the right to do what he wanted.
What I wouldn't give to be able to see what would have been the result if David Lynch had been given unrestricted reign over Dune, with the ability to make it as long as it needed to be, and to cover as much of the book as he felt necessary.
--SKot
Projects:
Return Of The Ewok and Other Short Films (with OCPmovie) [COMPLETED]
Preserving the…cringe…Star Wars Holiday Special [COMPLETED]
The Star Wars TV Commercials Project [DORMANT]
Felix the Cat 1919-1930 early film shorts preservation [ONGOING]
Lights Out! (lost TV anthology shows) [ONGOING]
Iznogoud (1995 animated series) English audio preservation [ONGOING]