[TheFerret]

I loved this movie when it first came out during the mid-1980's. The set designs, the actor selection, etc. and this was about a decade before I read the book (which I then went on to read 3-4 of the series).


I remember reading in either Cinefantastique, Cinefex, or some other rag that David Lynch shot a ton of film, the grand bulk that never made it into the American movie release (or most of the others). I also remember seeing the ABC presentation which was altered, included some minor additional footage, etc., all the versions I have seen seemed too short.


For years i wondered what Lynch could have done had he been allowed to make three 3-4 hour theatrical releases much like the LOTR movies. I know the movie-going climate of the 1980's wouldn't have accepted this, but I always continue to wonder.


The current remake by the SciFi channel I disliked greatly. I suppose my predisposition for the lynch interpretation has held strongly. What I'd like to know is if there are many others that would have gone for two or three longer versions that play out the books in more detail.


Costly in production? Sure. So what!

 

[KennyG]

yeah, if you like Lynch's version, the sci-fi version just doesn't cut it...I do like them both, but Lynch's "feels" more like the book to me.

I've never seen them, but as I understand it, there is a 3 hour version, and a 4 hour version...and we should have the chance to own them.

By the way, the first time I saw the sci-fi version of Dune, I didn't like it, or buy it. However when they came out with the extended version, I bought it, and after watching it, came to realized it was very good. Alec Newman does an outstanding job, even more so in Children of Dune...as does Alice Krige. It's just to bad Susan Saradon wasn't better in her role, she just didn't take to very serious.

 

[dugpa]

There is only the theatrical cut and the extended TV cut (3h10min) of Lynch's version of Dune. Any other cut of Lynch's Dune you've heard of doesn't exist except as rumors. The extended version was done without Lynch's involvement, and he had his name removed from it for both the writing and directing credits. If you've ever seen it, you'll understand why. But it is available overseas on dvd in R2 from several countries. But trust me, it's awful. I call it "Dune for Dummies" because they added narration all the way through explaining every minor little detail. They also re-used effects sequences over and over again, so the actual percent of extra footage added in addition to the theatrical cut isn't as much as the running time difference would make it seem.


BTW, Universal really wants to do a SE dvd of Lynch's Dune and contacted Lynch about it, but he turned them down. He feels it's the only film he sold out on and doesn't want to re-visit it.

 

[TheFerret]

It wasn't so much of an extended, or extended for television, version I was much interested in, but the total compilation of stuff never used and left on the editor's floor.


How exactly does Lynch figure he sold-out on it? By making such a short theatrical version at the behest of the studio?

 

[dugpa]

It's the only film he never had final cut on, and he let the producers dictate a lot of things (including the final edit of the film). He didn't really have control of the film and had to make compromises and changes he didn't want to.


If Universal can still find the footage you might see some of it on dvd some day, but Lynch won't be involved in putting it together. No one seems to be able to budge his desire to have nothing to do with the film.

 

[TheFerret]

This is almost as bad as the Ridley Scott/Blade Runner fiasco.

 

[rudolpht]

Ferret,


There are good threads here on Lynch's Dune. It helped me find another region anamorphic disc which is a great presentation if you like the movie. If you don't I don't know why you are posting redundant threads on it.


You can still keep your thread count marathon hig by adding commentary to existing threads on a topic. Search before you splurt.

 

[TheFerret]

My posting this has nothing to do with post counts, but rather this being one of my favorite five movies, like Blade Runner.

 

[rudolpht]

Then I would run, not walk, to the forum search and get info on the R3 I think edition. Great packaging, great transfer, you'll enjoy it. If you have an SDI player into a scaler it will really show the better transfer.

 

[TheFerret]

R3? Maybe I'll just go and buy it.

 

[IAM4UK]

One can contend with fair credibility that there is no such thing as "David Lynch's Dune."


Yes, he directed the Universal release (turning down "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" to do so); however, he didn't have the creative control he has enjoyed on every other film he's directed. The theatrical cut of Dune has some Lynchian flair, but it's ultimately not a true David Lynch film. The extended cut for television is mess.


The SciFi miniseries was good (I only have seen the 3-DVD version, not the original) in its storytelling, and fair in its "look/feel."


BTW, did any of you ever hear that Lynch wanted to film Dune in black-and-white? I remember that rumor in the 1980's; Universal supposedly laughed at the notion: "we're not spending $60M on a black-and-white movie!"

 

[TheFerret]

I used the 'David Lynch's ...' to discern between it and the Sci-Fi channel remake. That is all.

 

[Josh Z]

Quote:

Originally posted by TheFerret I I remember reading in either Cinefantastique, Cinefex, or some other rag that David Lynch shot a ton of film, the grand bulk that never made it into the American movie release (or most of the others).

This is a long-standing myth that has little basis in fact. Lynch was contractually obligated to deliver a movie under 2 1/2 hours. When it became obvious that the movie was running long, he was instructed by the producers to discontinue filming several important storylines. Those scenes simply never made it to film.


There is extra footage that was cut before release. Most of it wound up in the craptacular MCA-TV miniseries recut of the film. It adds up to maybe an extra half hour. The added length of the miniseries is due to cartoon drawings inserted as filler and numerous shots that are repeated over and over.


There never was a "4 hour cut" of Dune. The theatrical cut is the only version of the movie Lynch ever delivered. What was screened for the crew upon production wrap was a rough assembly featuring raw unedited footage and repeated takes of every shot.

 

[Josh Z]

Quote:

Originally posted by rudolpht Then I would run, not walk, to the forum search and get info on the R3 I think edition. Great packaging, great transfer, you'll enjoy it. If you have an SDI player into a scaler it will really show the better transfer.

I believe you're talking about the UK edition, which is actually Region 0 PAL, yes? Any Region 3 releases are just ports of the non-anamorphic Region 1 disc.


I own a lot of copies of this movie, summarized here:

http://www.mindspring.com/~dunestuff/#Video


I was not terribly impressed with the murky and soft video transfer of the UK disc. The documentary in the supplements is very good, though.

 

[peteyspambucket]

I'm a big fan of the Lynch Dune, and I sort of didn't enjoy the Sci-Fi Channel version.


What I love most about Lynch's version is how he transports us into that world's "reality" with some amazing atmospheric stylized direction. Kyle McLaughlan is amazingly apt in his role, and the way Lynch tells the story keeps it constantly mysterious and unfolding with intrigue. I love how you can hear what people are thinking. It's this interesting style that sets Lynch's version apart, in spite of what the studio did to it.


I do have a 2-cassette box set bootleg of a very long 3+hrs version that I got at a comic book convention, and even if the studio messed with the way it was cut, the actual content of what was shot and the way the scenes were directed are still Lynch's work, and it's great to see.


Back when the movie was released I was really excited about it and imagined theatrical releases of the next two Herbert books, but that never came. (I always thought it would be way too difficult to capture the story on film because of the books' depth and complexity, but with LOTR setting a new standard for complex storytelling, maybe it's time for another theatrical attempt.)


It's sad to hear that Lynch is reluctant to come back to give us a Director's Cut DVD/Theatrical Release with the extra footage that he shot, but I guess I am happy with what is available now for what it evokes so well. I hope he changes his mind.


The other movies that I was thrilled to finally have in a director's edition were ALIENS, TERMINATOR2, and LEGEND(!!!). I am hoping that TITANIC will come at some point, too, and I can't wait to see SW-A New Hope with the cut footage restored! (I've only seen the cut footage in the theater and in "THAT'S HOLLYWOOD".)


This was a nice nostalgic post for me...

 

[peteyspambucket]

Quote:

Originally posted by Josh Z I own a lot of copies of this movie, summarized here: http://www.mindspring.com/~dunestuff/#Video

What a great site! Thank you! I'm inspired to watch the movie again because of your page.

 

[DaveFi]

Anyone catch Children of Dune on Sci-Fi? I thought it was much better than the first.


The DVD has an excellent transfer and a killer audio-tack and can be found for

 

[mossym]

Quote:

Originally posted by DaveFi Anyone catch Children of Dune on Sci-Fi? I thought it was much better than the first. The DVD has an excellent transfer and a killer audio-tack and can be found for

 

[Salmoneous]

Question for the Dune (1984) fans:


I saw this back when it came out, found it a mess, and never bothered to see it again. In general, I'm not a fan of David Lynch, nor a fan of seeing books I love butchered on screen.


However, I recently realized that Alia was played by Alicia Witt. Basically I find anything she is in worth watching. ( that includes Two Weeks Notice, though I'll deny it if asked again). Yes, I know she was 9, and no, I'm not that creepy. But it would be interesting to see what she was like as a child actor. Does she actually have any screen-time, or is she just there for a quick bit.

 

[Josh Z]

Quote:

Originally posted by Salmoneous However, I recently realized that Alia was played by Alicia Witt. Basically I find anything she is in worth watching. ( that includes Two Weeks Notice, though I'll deny it if asked again). Yes, I know she was 9, and no, I'm not that creepy. But it would be interesting to see what she was like as a child actor. Does she actually have any screen-time, or is she just there for a quick bit.

She has a fair amount of screen time and an important part in the plot, but her voice is either dubbed by an adult or run through a weird modulation filter and is kind of distracting.