Looking around this area (the BD forum), I found that Dune doesn't have it's own thread. So here it is.

From various posts from other threads, here is what I've gathered.

From the release thread, the release date is TBA.

As far as version (Sci-Fi / Theatrical / Alan Smithee / Extended (aka Channel 2 version), according to forum member AaronSCH, it's the Sci-Fi Channel TV miniseries, and has been announced as a future release by Lion'sGate.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=859909

Personally, I hope the Alan Smithee version gets a re-mastered BD release as it did recently on DVD. As far as the original film, I much prefer that version over the theatrical version which has some scenes I have problems with, as somebody who has read Dune at least three times, and the original 6-book hexogy twice.

As far as the Sci-Fi versions, I didn't care much for them. The main problem I remember is that for some reason the TV version has characters saying lines which were originally said by other characters in the books. That and I think Patrick Steward should have been brought back for the role of Gurney.

Hopefully more information will be forthcoming soon.

reason why there's no thread on this is prob b/c there're no announcements as to whether it's coming at all. threads on specific titles usually start with the studio announcing a street date. then it goes from anticipation posts up until it's released to be followed by pq/aq reviews.

Quote from this thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=871434

"Dune", the 1984 David Lynch film, is distributed by Universal and is currently available on HD DVD in a beautiful High-Def transfer.

The 1986 "Alan Smithee" extended TV edit is also distributed by Universal but is currently only available on DVD with no plans for an HD release (nor does there need to be be, as it's an abomination).

"Frank Herbert's Dune", the 2000 Sci-Fi Channel miniseries directed by John Harrison, is distributed by Lionsgate. They've listed it among potential future Blu-ray releases, but haven't announced solid plans.

Universal is HD DVD exclusive. Lionsgate is Blu-ray exclusive. There will be no crossover of formats for these two titles.

I know Dune (the movie) is available on HD-DVD, but since I don't have plans to buy an HD-DVd player, I'm interested in a BD release.

As for versions (film versions), I think both should be released. Having seen both theatrical and Smithee versions, I prefer the Smithee versionas it explains things a little better. That and it doesn't include the scene where Baron Vladimir pulls the boy's "heart plug" out, an un-necessary scene which wasn't in the book, nor were heart plugs mentioned in the book. But I digress.

As far as cross-overs, I wouldn't be as bold as to say it will never happen. If BD becomes the dominant format, then the film versions of Dune will find their way to BD. And conversely.

As far as the Sci-Fi version, I probably would get it, and learn to live with the digressions. I just wish they could have stuck to the books as well as Lord of the Rings did. (at least, for the first two parts)

I'd like to rent the SciFi one as I've never seen it

Sadly the Lynch version of Dune is Universal owned I believe, so I do not believe we will see this as a Blu-ray release, unless Universal jumps ship (I can dream) to blu-ray.

This is probably why I own a HD-DVD Player as well :-\

Personally, I thing if you take right elements from the SciFi mini's and the Lynch/Smithee versions, mix and stir, then you come up with something approaching the actual text version. I can't pick between them ... ;)

Lionsgate said there would be a release of the Sci-Fi version long ago, it dissapeared, now they still claim it's coming, but I have a hard time believing them.

You guys do realize that Smithee is David Lynch right? That name is used when a director does not want his name on a film. There was a lof of internal fighting over the film, etc. etc.

I am a DUNE freak. lol And I have no nose in the air attitude when it comes to any version out there. I hope they ALL make to to either HD or BD.

Lionsgate said there would be a release of the Sci-Fi version long ago, it dissapeared, now they still claim it's coming, but I have a hard time believing them.

Why the pessimism? Most of the titles that appeared on their press release have panned out. There is no reason not to believe it wil make it this year.

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As for versions (film versions), I think both should be released. Having seen both theatrical and Smithee versions, I prefer the Smithee versionas it explains things a little better. That and it doesn't include the scene where Baron Vladimir pulls the boy's "heart plug" out, an un-necessary scene which wasn't in the book, nor were heart plugs mentioned in the book. But I digress.

The Smithee version is an insult to the art of filmmaking. It includes cartoon drawings in favor of special effects, shots are repeated over and over again, and entire scenes were fabricated by mixing and matching random shots from other existing scenes. I am being generous to say that the people who threw it together were complete incompetents who knew nothing at all about film editing.

The extra footage from that version of the movie should be included as a supplement to the theatrical cut, but I can't imagine actually enduring the entire thing.

Why the pessimism? Most of the titles that appeared on their press release have panned out. There is no reason not to believe it wil make it this year.It was supposed to come out a year ago. It's on their original "Coming Attractions" trailers on their first titles like Stargate.

You guys do realize that Smithee is David Lynch right? That name is used when a director does not want his name on a film. There was a lof of internal fighting over the film, etc. etc.

No, nobody around here in a movie buff oriented forum would possibly have any clue about the mysterious Mr/Mz. Smithee(s) ... ;) :p :D

No, nobody around here in a movie buff oriented forum would possibly have any clue about the mysterious Mr/Mz. Smithee(s) ... ;) :p :D

There are people that dont know, just for information purposes.


You must be one of the propeller heads that gets bent when someone mentions something you know! :p

I am a DUNE freak.Looking at your name, I never would have guessed it... ;)

The extra footage from that version of the movie should be included as a supplement to the theatrical cut.
Agreed. ;)

What we need is a NEW cut because so much that was key to making the story work was removed by Lynch to satisfy the short running time demanded by the studio. But Lynch hates the film now and doesn't want anything to do with it. Universal has offered him plenty of money to come back into the editing room, but he always says no.

Considerig how many years it took Lynch to get around to putting the second season of Twin Peaks together for a DVD release.... As Matt said there is no way he would ever agree to doing anything with Dune.

I'd by Pi and Requiem for a Dream, here's hoping they make them all region.

Considerig how many years it took Lynch to get around to putting the second season of Twin Peaks together for a DVD release.... As Matt said there is no way he would ever agree to doing anything with Dune.

The delay with Twin Peaks had to do with the show's rights changing hands from Artisan/Lionsgate to Paramount. Lynch doesn't own the show and doesn't decide when it gets released on DVD.

I'm watching Dune right now in HD On Demand. I'd forgotten just how bad this movie is. Oy.....

I'm watching Dune right now in HD On Demand. I'd forgotten just how bad this movie is. Oy.....I'm not a big fan of the movie version myself and prefer the Sci-Fi mini much more, I know there are others who feel otherwise. There are certain elements that Lynch got right, but none that could be truly depicted on the big screen even today.

One thing that really comes thru very well with Lynch is the "otherworldliness" ambience which pervades his film (in a similar vein to Eraserhead).
Lynch's Dune suspended my disbelief...I could readily accept the movie depicted a distant alien culture (in a galaxy far far away ;) ).
Very few SciFi films have done that for me.
In that regard, Lynch's Dune is quite superior to the SciFi Channel version.
His visuals leaves the TV version in the dust (spice?).
Never once did I feel the mini-series was anything but a Television mini-series.

I'm watching Dune right now in HD On Demand. I'd forgotten just how bad this movie is. Oy.....

+1000

I'd like to rent the SciFi one as I've never seen it


You can buy both Dune and Children of Dune (which actually covers Messiah and Children) for about $10 new almost anywhere in regular DVD format. Both are great adaptions of the books, but the Lynch movie always comes to mind just because it was the real first time the Dune universe was brought to the screen. I found myself constantly comparing actors to the originals etc.

I'm watching Dune right now in HD On Demand. I'd forgotten just how bad this movie is. Oy.....

horrible...

+1000

-1,000,000,000,000,000

horrible...

Eh, different strokes I guess.

To me, Lynch's Dune is a killer app. I already owned an HD DVD player when this came out (fantastic PQ, by the way)... but if I didn't, that would have convinced me to get one.


It's not a perfect film by any means (its flaws are well documented). But it's been rewatched more times than any other HD title in my collection.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come in the thread and poop on the movie. I just really remember it being "better" the last time I saw it.

I hope they release it for those who want it, though. I am hoping for Cannonball Run, so what the hell do I know about "quality?" :eek: :D

I too Love Lynch's Dune. It really took the best of the first book and combined it with some of the best elements from the sequels from what I can tell (I've only read the original).

There are a few inclusions that would be good in a longer cut, but as is it's a lean, mean machine of a sci-fi/fantasy flick. I love it more each time I see it. There's really a lof of stuff in the book that just cancels itself out by the end, so much of what was dropped is totally OK by me.

I sold my DC of the sci-fi channel version. I actually preferred Children of Dune when I rented it. Music was better and it made more out of a lesser story.

I too Love Lynch's Dune. It really took the best of the first book and combined it with some of the best elements from the sequels from what I can tell (I've only read the original).

There are a few inclusions that would be good in a longer cut, but as is it's a lean, mean machine of a sci-fi/fantasy flick. I love it more each time I see it. There's really a lof of stuff in the book that just cancels itself out by the end, so much of what was dropped is totally OK by me.

I sold my DC of the sci-fi channel version. I actually preferred Children of Dune when I rented it. Music was better and it made more out of a lesser story.
I do think that the "Children of Dune" miniseries was a faithful rendering of the books (which, in reality, is "Dune Messiah" and "Children of Dune" combined).
The 3rd book is a particular favorite of mine: Leto II evolves into the God Emperor and, eventually, rules for ~2500 years.

It's been a while since I've seen the Sci-Fi Dune, so I don't recall how it compares with in the respect I'm about to discuss.

Personally, I enjoy movies that are story-driven rather than just continuous mind-blowing action with a back story that seems to be nothing more than an afterthought. And this is how I can see some people wouldn't enjoy the original Dune be it the "official" David Lynch version or the "unofficial" Alan Smithee version (and yes, I do know Alan Smithee is just another way of saying "Directed by John Doe")

The Lynch version was very much like every book in the Dune series. And when I say series I'm referring to the books written by Frank Herbert as I have yet to read any of the books written by his son. The books spent 2/3 to 3/4 of the book building up. All the threads of the plot are laid down, the characters, the motives, the "plans within plans". It can get boring for some people. It's not until the final chapters where the action really starts. In the same way the Lynch version didn't have much action until the very end.

It's a movie that you pretty much have to pay attention to - otherwise you won't know what's going on. When I was in my early Teens, we had the Smithee version recorded. I had seen the movie before, but didn't understand it. So I watched the prologue probalby 3 or 4 times before I had a good understanding of what was going on. And if you miss the prologue, the rest of the movie can be hard to understand.

I know there are some people like a friend of mine who simply can't watch a movie like Lynch's Dune. If it's not action from start to finish, he can't watch it. For somebody like that, enjoying Lynch's Dune is a losing proposition.


So, for those who don't like Lynch's Dune, I think that could be a big factor. But like I said, I don't remember much of the Sci-Fi Sune, so I don't know if it was the same way.


As far as a mix is concerned, it would be nice to have a mix of Lynch/Sci-Fi Dune. If you borrow the acting, atmosphere, sets, and costumes of Lynch's Dune and combine it with the ability of a miniseries to be over six hours long, you can begin to have a movie rendition of Dune that has a hope of including all that the book had. I think that was probalby a major factor in the Sci-Fi version being more true to the book. When you have that much time to tell a story, you don't have to modify the story as much to get it to make sense.