Dune (1984)
You could watch
David Lynch's 'Dune' 50 times (and I certainly have) and still be spotting new details in the sets, the costumes and the props. I love the clearly defined look of the worlds. The Atreides' seem to live inside ornate wooden carved Egyptian tombs, the Harkonnen's planet is a dank green industrial nightmare, the Emperor's palace looks like a golden beehive/clockwork-interior and the halls of Arrakeen are decorated with ancient Mosque-type mosaics. The art-direction is on a par with
'Blade Runner' and some of the FX are the greatest practical shots ever achieved... but then again other FX shots are on a par with
'Superman IV: The Quest for Peace' . The black Stillsuit designs are iconic and fairly believable.
Toto and
Brian Eno's score is one of my favourites, I would kill to hear the 'Main Title' thundering out of a cinema setup... which is unlikely to ever happen, given the film's unpopularity.
I was under the impression that the film was not faithful to the book (which I've only just read) but in most respects it is, slavishly so in places. Whole scenes and all their dialogue are lifted near-verbatim from the pages of the novel (something Herbert was pleased about). If I recall correctly the film omits the greenhouse scenes, Kynes' death, the Fenring political intrigues back on Geidi Prime, some of the pursuit by the Harkonnens and doesn't go into culture of the Fremen with as much depth but that's about it. Lynch's script also adds elements that I'd argue improve the story and make it more filmic. The sadistic Harkonnen heart-plugs, the Baron's hideous diseases and Thufir's antidote-milk cat are twisted Lynch inventions. Plus of course the Weirding Modules were his idea. These Atreides sound weapons are not only one of the coolest things in sci-fi cinema but also improve the narrative. In the book, Paul and Jessica basically just teach martial arts to the Fremen, who were already the greatest warriors in the universe, making them "greaterer"? The formidable new Atreides sound weapons add extra believability to their successes in battle and to Leto's decision to walk knowingly into the Emperor's trap. One of the more contentious changes from the book seems to be Lynch adding a part where Paul makes it rain (for a minute or two) using his godlike powers because it would illogically harm the sandworms. Fine, except that's ignoring that in the novel, the Fremen are working towards the ultimate goal of making it rain on Arrakis.
Like
Stanley Kubrick's 'Spartacus', 'Dune' was/is more or less disowned by it's Director because they didn't have complete creative control. Like 'Spartacus' they've perhaps missed that the film is still a masterpiece but unlike Kubrick's film, 'Dune' is unmistakably the work of David Lynch. Not just because it's filled with all his favourite actors. The slipping in and out of cryptic visions and the constant internal monologues gives the whole piece the feeling of an
'Eraserhead' waking dream/nightmare. I find it refreshing the way Lynch has little patience for explaining, simplifying, or sanitizing the bizarre archaic cultures of Herbert's universe. Despite pressure to deliver a 2-hour version, Lynch was involved in the making of the Theatrical Cut, as far as I'm aware. Apparently Universal have offered Lynch the chance to go back and do a much longer cut but he has refused. It's a shame he can't see what a great job he did.