- Actors: Kyle MacLachlan, Virginia Madsen, Francesca Annis, Leonardo Cimino, Brad Dourif
- Directors: David Lynch
- Writers: David Lynch, Frank Herbert
- Producers: Dino De Laurentiis, José López Rodero, Raffaella De Laurentiis
- Format: PAL, Widescreen, Dolby
- Language English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 2.35:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Prism
- DVD Release Date: 4 Oct 2004
- Run Time: 135 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (148 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004D0BA
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,586 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
David Lynch's Dune is the brilliant but fatally flawed would-be epic feature film version of Frank Herbert's novel of the same name, the bestselling science fiction novel ever written. It is a complex but too heavily simplified version of a far more elaborate book, a darkly Gothic far future space opera revolving around an imperial, dynastic power struggle on the desert planet of Arrakis. With what was in 1984 an enormous $40 million budget, Lynch retained a surprising amount of the industrial/Victorian feel of his previous features, Eraserhead (1976) and The Elephant Man (1980), and was able to bring to the screen some of the most imaginative and awe-inspiring production designs, costumes and action then seen. Indeed, as a spectacularly atmospheric vision of the future Dune has as much to recommend it as the far more celebrated Blade Runner (1982), with which it even shares the female romantic lead, Sean Young--here just one star in a superb cast. The problem, which an unauthorised extended TV version failed to fix, is that Lynch's original vision of Dune was massively cut for length, and as such the final third is so rapidly paced as to undermine the superb first two thirds. A director's cut is sorely needed, the cinema version playing like a butchered masterpiece. Also available is an entirely unconnected four-and-a-half-hour mini-series, Frank Herbert's Dune (2000), which is less visionary but more coherent.
On the DVD: The 2.35:1 image suffers from not being anamorphically enhanced. There are minor flecks of dirt and scratches, but generally the print used is in good condition although there is a considerable amount of grain in some scenes and the image could be more detailed. The packaging claims the sound is Dolby Digital 5.1, but it is actually three-channel sound (stereo plus centre speaker), with the main stereo feed being duplicated in the rear channels. A full 5.1 remastering would improve matters considerably. Special features consist of the original trailer and a pointless gallery of seven badly cropped stills. There is a very basic animated and scored menu using the portentous main theme music from the film. --Gary S Dalkin
Special Features
2.35 Wide Screen
DVD 9
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround English
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
None
DVD 9
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround English
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
None
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A flawed epic brought a fresh lease of life by high definition,
By
This review is from: Dune (Blu-ray + Bonus DVD) (Blu-ray)
This is the review I would have liked before buying this blu-ray title.
I don't understand why this title has only been published for the German market. Perhaps it has a stronger following over there. Anyway, although the packaging and disk art is in German, once the movie's playing, that's all irrelevant. I took the risk in getting this German import because although the movie is deeply flawed it has qualities that I really appreciate. The soundtrack by Toto is stunning and Brian Eno's "Prophecy Theme" is haunting. The story is epic. As a kid I was a fan of the book series and was deeply disappointed when the movie came out and was universally slated by the critics. However, it is also beautiful. The sets and costumes are sumptuous. It oozes atmosphere, like Brade Runner and Aliens. If you can filter out the flaws and focus on enjoying its qualities, it is moving and uplifting. I will add my plea to those of others: "David Lynch, please transcend the trauma of making this film and the confused reactions of the test screening audiences that caused the studio to force you to butcher the movie down to its theatrical release length, recognise that this is a cult film and delight your fans by publishing your original, full-length director's cut." Given that this isn't likely to happen, the next best thing is this German blu-ray package... To my immense relief, the upgrade to blu-ray was worth it. High definition detail makes it a different experience, one that amplifies the DVD experience. The dire special effects and the grainy scenes are rendered even more painful by high definition. However, the richness of the sets, costumes and performances from the all-star cast are equally boasted to new heights. For me, the way that high definition brings out the rich production and performance qualities actually helps to heal the flaws and makes it a better movie. If you were able to enjoy the DVD version despite its flaws then you'll love the blu-ray presentation. Enjoy.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
As it should be seen,
By
This review is from: Dune (Blu-ray + Bonus DVD) (Blu-ray)
I've been a fan of Dune for years. For me, not many other Sci-fi films manage to capture such a complete picture of other worlds. Lynch, like Kubrick, doesn't rush you through the story, but leaves room for fine details and atmosphere.
The Blu ray really has been a revelation, though. Such a stunningly-clear picture reveals the extensive imagination behind every scene, and draws you into the whole experience more than ever before. I can't recommend it enough, it looks like it was filmed yesterday. Make sure it is the German import you get though, if you want the proper experience (not the U.S. tv version).
67 of 74 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Beware,
By
This review is from: Dune (Extended Three Hour Edition) [DVD] (DVD)
Beware of Jacques review above.
It is totally misleading as to the product you will receive. He discusses an ultimate 3 disc edition and gives the impression that this is what you will receive. This is not the case at all as it is a single disc edition, without even a title screen! You will see it available from sellers in Australia and the far east and when I received my copy it was unbranded and I had some question it was even legitimate. If you are a massive Dune fan and would sacrifice anything to see the "missing" footage (like me) then its worth buying. Otherwise I would recommend the 2 disc re-mastered special edition of the original film available from Amazon directly. As far as Jacques' review, while he obviously likes the sound of his own "voice" it has little relevance to this product. Just to clarify this is a cheaply produced extended version based on the original US TV version. It is NOT the restored extended cut by the director that everyone is waiting for. This version is sadly not (yet) in existence.
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