Dune - The Movie - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

MahlerIsGod · 05-14-2003, 03:52 PM

So, I was talking with a friend and the subject of Dune somehow came up. I told him that I thought the movie was better than the miniseries on Sci-Fi and he asked me if I seen the original. I gave him a quizzical look and said, "huh?" He told me there was an original theatrical release that was like six hours long. My response, "You, sir, are a damn dirty liar. If you value our friendship you will retract such an outrageous statement." He didn't so I am sans friend. Has anyone else heard of such a thing as a six hour Dune?

l_o_c · 05-14-2003, 06:09 PM

It's a legend and a half-truth.

The 'six hour version' is legend. But there was an intentioned longer version. From the IMDB:

Quote:

Contrary to popular rumors, no 6-hours long director's cut, ever existed. The only "director's cut" of the film was the one shown theatrically; Lynch never had a hand in any other version of Dune. Lynch's original intention was for Dune to have been about 3+ hours long. To that end, about 5 hours was shot. This is also confirmed by author 'Frank Herbert' wrote in the introduction to the book "Eye". It would be impossible for a 6-hour version to exist and even a 5-hour Dune would mean the inclusion of many scenes never intended for the final version (for reasons of redundancy, etc.). It is only necessary to read any of the final scripts for the film to realize that there was never any intention of making Dune more than 4 hours in length at the very most: the script for anything more just was never there.

So it is half-true.

Lucifer · 05-16-2003, 06:01 PM

I've got the 4 hour version on video. It's great, excellent soundtrack, star-studded cast, (Sting as Feyd, if you can believe it and Captain Picard as Gurney).

Sun Tzu · 05-17-2003, 12:30 PM

I taped the long version on TV years ago; with commericals it was about 6 hours.

Now for the other good question which was better the movie or the miniseries. (If possible taking out the element of which followed the book closer, but focusing on enjoyment factor)

Hawkspy · 05-17-2003, 08:23 PM

I hope you guys have all read the book cause its awesome...

Cynthetiq · 05-18-2003, 01:39 PM

I don't remember how long it was... 4-6 hours??? I do remember watching an extremely extended version on video when I was overseas.

DonnChadh · 05-19-2003, 02:46 AM

There are two versions of the original Dune:
David Lynch's cut, which was the cinema release
Alan Smithee's cut, which is a tv-only release (afaik)
Not sure if one is longer than the other, but Lynch's version is far better than Smithee's, esp if you already know the story roughly.

As for comparing the mini-series and the film heres where I think each did better:
Overall Story: Mini-Series
Scenes: Movie
Sets: Movie
Effects: Mini-Series
Acting: Movie
Costumes: Tie

Edit:
Just found this article on H2G2 which explains more on the differences between the two film versions

Mr. Mojo · 05-19-2003, 09:30 AM

How can you give a 'tie' in costumes!? The dreaded Sardaukar most feared soldier/convicts in the known universe looked like <b>Pastry Chefs!</b> (this is so hard to overlook in a other wise great miniseries)

Granted – in the movie, the Sardaukar looked like welders… I'd be more scared of a welder.

Atomic Pinkie · 05-21-2003, 05:13 AM

lol

Pastry Chefs...glad someone else thinks with their stomach when dealing with feared soldiers

denim · 05-21-2003, 06:55 AM

I just had a real problem with the "weirding module" concept. I felt it wasn't needed at all, and that the SF channel did a better job, really.

OTOH, there's SF's "Children of Dune", which is just superb.

Charlatan · 05-23-2003, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DonnChadh
There are two versions of the original Dune:
David Lynch's cut, which was the cinema release
Alan Smithee's cut, which is a tv-only release (afaik)
Not sure if one is longer than the other, but Lynch's version is far better than Smithee's, esp if you already know the story roughly.

Alan Smithee is the name that directors and other's in the film industry use to replace their names when they want to have their names taken from a project they no longer want their name associated with...

Lynch only wanted the release he put in theatres... While I haven't seen the Sci-Fi version yet I can say that I really enjoyed Lynch's version until about half way in... Pretty much after Paul and his mother crash in the desert (just when they meet the Fremen) the film becomes too truncated and odd... the wierding module was just that wierd.

05-14-2003, 03:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
MahlerIsGod At The Globe Showing Will How Its Done Location: London/Elysium	Dune - The Movie So, I was talking with a friend and the subject of Dune somehow came up. I told him that I thought the movie was better than the miniseries on Sci-Fi and he asked me if I seen the original. I gave him a quizzical look and said, "huh?" He told me there was an original theatrical release that was like six hours long. My response, "You, sir, are a damn dirty liar. If you value our friendship you will retract such an outrageous statement." He didn't so I am sans friend. Has anyone else heard of such a thing as a six hour Dune? __________________ "But a work of art is a conscious human effort that has to do with communication. It is that or its nothing. When an accident is applauded as a work of art, when a cult grows up around the deliciousness of inadvertent beauty, we are in the presence of the greatest decadence the West has known in its history."

05-16-2003, 06:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lucifer Husband of Seamaiden Location: Nova Scotia	I've got the 4 hour version on video. It's great, excellent soundtrack, star-studded cast, (Sting as Feyd, if you can believe it and Captain Picard as Gurney). __________________ I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls. - Job 30:29 1123, 6536, 5321

05-17-2003, 12:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sun Tzu Conspiracy Realist Location: The Event Horizon	I taped the long version on TV years ago; with commericals it was about 6 hours. Now for the other good question which was better the movie or the miniseries. (If possible taking out the element of which followed the book closer, but focusing on enjoyment factor) __________________ *To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.- Stephen Hawking*

05-18-2003, 01:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	I don't remember how long it was... 4-6 hours??? I do remember watching an extremely extended version on video when I was overseas. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

05-19-2003, 02:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
DonnChadh Tilted Location: Tha Boro	There are two versions of the original Dune: David Lynch's cut, which was the cinema release Alan Smithee's cut, which is a tv-only release (afaik) Not sure if one is longer than the other, but Lynch's version is far better than Smithee's, esp if you already know the story roughly. As for comparing the mini-series and the film heres where I think each did better: Overall Story: Mini-Series Scenes: Movie Sets: Movie Effects: Mini-Series Acting: Movie Costumes: Tie Edit: Just found this article on H2G2 which explains more on the differences between the two film versions __________________ I try to take life one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once. Last edited by DonnChadh; 05-19-2003 at 03:56 AM..

05-17-2003, 08:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Hawkspy Upright	I hope you guys have all read the book cause its awesome...

05-19-2003, 09:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mr. Mojo Addict Location: NYC	How can you give a 'tie' in costumes!? The dreaded Sardaukar most feared soldier/convicts in the known universe looked like <b>Pastry Chefs!</b> (this is so hard to overlook in a other wise great miniseries) Granted – in the movie, the Sardaukar looked like welders… I'd be more scared of a welder. __________________ When I jerk off I feel good for about twenty seconds and then WHAM it's right back into suicidal depression

05-21-2003, 05:13 AM	#9 (permalink)
Atomic Pinkie Addict Location: Chicago	lol Pastry Chefs...glad someone else thinks with their stomach when dealing with feared soldiers __________________ Where dem bitches at?

05-21-2003, 06:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
denim Banned Location: Massachusetts, USA	I just had a real problem with the "weirding module" concept. I felt it wasn't needed at all, and that the SF channel did a better job, really. OTOH, there's SF's "Children of Dune", which is just superb.