Never mind the effects, enjoy the story, 23 Nov 2005

This mini-series’ TV origins are evident in the sub-Playstation special effects, but the production uses its money where it counts most, in splendid sets and costumes. Apart from the stars, the cast are mostly East European character actors and their accents lend a nice sense of exoticism. Of course, the mini-series lacks the sheer visual splendour of David Lynch’s flawed interpretation, but it does explore the undercurrent of religious fanaticism on Dune much more effectively. Alec Newman, as Paul Atreides, also convinces on his journey from threatened fugitive to demi-god ruler of the known universe.

Of course, there are the inevitable irritations. This version’s cockney septuagenarian Gurney Halleck is no match for Patrick Stewart’s wonderful grizzled warrior/poet. But then, we don’t have to put up with Sting as Feyd Rautha. Sometimes the costumer veers too close to an Aladdin Christmas panto, and the stillsuits, so gorgeously flattering in the Lynch film, are simply rubbish. But the advantage of this version is that you can watch it with Dune newbies instead of the Lynch version knowing you won’t have to be explaining what the devil is going on every 15 minutes.

No version of a book as complex as Dune will ever be perfect, not even in that alternate universe where Lynch’s original 5hr 40min cut still exists. But this series is the most coherent and intelligible version we have. I ordered the sequel immediately.

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