Dune (film)
Dune (1984)
~3 hours
I read the first Dune book (upon which the movie is mostly based) a long time ago, and only now got around to watching the movie. In many ways, it's a classic SF film: anachronistic special effects (i.e. shielding), poor integration, classic setting, heavy-handed symbolism. (I did like the costuming.) Lady Jessica remains the most interesting character of all, although this portrayal stole much of her strength--she relies mostly on feminine wiles and is physically weak, even though she is of the Bene Gesserit. The plot works if you don't question it too much; why did Leto wander around the basement of the palace all by his lonesome? How did Alia get into the palace? How are the sandworms indestructible in the crucial climactic scene? Why do all of the "villains" feel compelled to laugh maniacally? And why is the Emperor's daughter narrating the story, when she seems to be largely irrelevant?
To be fair, the sandworms are beautiful and amazingly realistic for a 1984 production, and the fundamental messiah themes intrigue me. But Herbert does it so much better in his (lengthy) novel, so I see no reason to watch this more than once.
~3 hours
I read the first Dune book (upon which the movie is mostly based) a long time ago, and only now got around to watching the movie. In many ways, it's a classic SF film: anachronistic special effects (i.e. shielding), poor integration, classic setting, heavy-handed symbolism. (I did like the costuming.) Lady Jessica remains the most interesting character of all, although this portrayal stole much of her strength--she relies mostly on feminine wiles and is physically weak, even though she is of the Bene Gesserit. The plot works if you don't question it too much; why did Leto wander around the basement of the palace all by his lonesome? How did Alia get into the palace? How are the sandworms indestructible in the crucial climactic scene? Why do all of the "villains" feel compelled to laugh maniacally? And why is the Emperor's daughter narrating the story, when she seems to be largely irrelevant?
To be fair, the sandworms are beautiful and amazingly realistic for a 1984 production, and the fundamental messiah themes intrigue me. But Herbert does it so much better in his (lengthy) novel, so I see no reason to watch this more than once.