Frank Herbert's Dune (TV Miniseries)
It's a mixed blessing, but
Frank Herbert's Dune
goes a long way toward satisfying science fiction purists who scoffed at David Lynch's previous attempt to adapt Herbert's epic narrative. Ironically, director John Harrison's 288-minute TV miniseries (broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel in December 2000) offers its own share of strengths and weaknesses, which, in retrospect, emphasize the quality of Lynch's film while treating Herbert's novel with more comprehensive authority. Debate will continue as to which film is better; Lynch's extensive use of internal monologue now seems like a challenge well met, and Harrison's more conventional approach is better equipped to convey the epic scope of Herbert's interplanetary political intrigue.
This much is certain: this
Dune
is a sumptuous treat for the eyes, with sets and costumes that were conceived with no apparent limits of budget or creativity. In terms of architecture alone, this is one of the most impressive films in science fiction history. And although the special effects fall short of feature-film quality, writer-director Harrison (who rose from an extensive background in TV) admirably tames the sprawling narrative that pits the opposing houses of Atreides and Harkonnen in a struggle to control the lucrative market for the spice melange. This is as accurate as any
Dune
adaptation is likely to get (i.e., there's no need for another attempt), and even then, it can be tricky to keep track of who's doing what to whom. Unfortunately, the film's biggest flaws are the casting of a nearly comatose William Hurt as Duke Leto, and a wooden Alec Newman as the messiah-to-be, Paul Atreides. These are regrettable shortcomings, but this
Dune
remains altogether respectable. That Frank Herbert would be impressed is perhaps the biggest compliment one can pay.
--Jeff Shannon
| uuid: |
2B203CAC-F1E3-454F-9CFF-E1B85E75E3AB |
| upc: |
0012236125297 |
| title: |
Frank Herbert's Dune (TV Miniseries) |
| theatricalDate: |
03-12-2000 |
| purchase date: |
16-07-2006 |
| publisher: |
Live / Artisan |
| published: |
11-06-2002 |
| price: |
$14.98 |
| net Rating: |
3.5 |
| MPAA Rating: |
Unrated |
| minutes: |
295 |
| number of media: |
3 |
| last lookup time: |
174732083.626303 |
| genre: |
Sci-Fi Action
DTS
Top Sellers
Miniseries
Heroic Missions
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Special Editions
Dune |
| fullTitle: |
Frank Herbert's Dune (TV Miniseries) (Director's Cut Special Edition) |
| features: |
Anamorphic
Box set
Closed-captioned
Color
Director's Cut
Dolby
DTS Surround Sound
Widescreen
NTSC
1.77:1 |
| edition: |
Director's Cut Special |
| director: |
John Harrison |
| currentValue: |
$5.71 |
| created: |
174719680 |
| country: |
us |
| aspect: |
DVD |
| asin: |
B0000639EV
|
