Dune (1984). "It's the Story, of House Atreides."

[@nrgspike]

I first saw it when I was definitely too young to understand it. Over time I grew to really enjoy it, so much so that it actually put me off wanting to read the book - all you ever heard about it was how much better the book was. But when I eventually did get around to reading it, I could only feel admiration for how much of it they managed to get on the screen. Not perfect by any stretch, in fact quite obviously very flawed, I still have a huge amount of affection for Dune '84.

[@alexjaybrady]

same!

[@brakecheck5354]

That’s a really good summation of this movie. I was amazed too when I finally read the book how well it captured a lot of the imagery and mood it presented. Also I grew up with the extended TV version, which I feels is far better than the theatrical version story wise.

[@richardbuckley1232]

The book is very different; especially the ending

[@perceivedvelocity9914]

I agree with you 100%. A cable network used to run Dune all of the time during the late 80's and early 90's. I didn't like the movie when I originally saw it. As I got older, I grew to love it. I was probably about 20 before I read the book. The books are definitely better but I still love Lynch's movie. BTW, I see Kyle MacLachlan in my head when I read the books. He is Paul Atreides for me.

[@johnashley327]

I still love this movie. I can almost quote this whole movie. Saw this in college when it came out. Score is still one of the best.

[@dogdrovenorth]

Did you catch the musical "quote" of DUNE 1984 in DUNE 2021?

[@psychologixselfmastery]

There is 3 hour version of this movie and its available on you Tube and it works pretty well!

[@quantumskywalker6888]

Yup, it redeems the movie and makes it really good. It's Spicediver's edit. 🙂

[@rubberneckinc.8937]

You did nail the thing about the cast. Very good, well chosen, with the exception of McLachlan everyone is cameo.

[@billsinkins361]

I saw this in the cinema. The ticket sellers were asking people if they'd read the book and warning anyone who hadn't that they would have no idea wtf is going on 😅

[@deanrussell2224]

I love this movie- it’s bonkers but looks incredible- saw it on release at the cinema and was totally blown away or perhaps incredibly confused but no matter how n my any times I watch it it’s still brilliant and there are some bonkers cut scenes on you tube like the baby worm and the water of life !!

[@mammothchimp1774]

You have the only channel that I hit the like button BEFORE I even watch the video. I cannot tell you how entertaining I find your content. Thanks man!

[@ivanelgharbi5861]

You can say what you want about this movie, but is a beautiful film.

[@Zoroasterisk]

9:28 is a master class in comedic timing of visual gags. Nicely done

[@yahzee.skellington]

I can only imagine what the movie would be like if Lynch had full creative control. I still love it. I like the cast, I like whatever Lynch's style is in the movie. Kyle Maclachlan is a much better lead than Timothee Chalamet. Yes, I said it

[@iainb1577]

Your software free trial analogy had it nailed for me. I saw the movie while the book was still fresh in my head so to me it looked like a two hour long trailer. Freddy Jones was as always great. Still suit you sir.

[@simoncurry5336]

Seconded about Freddie Jones. However, I was disappointed when Mr Fine didn't include him in the list of familiar faces that were in the film. Especially as he appeared numerous times in the review and more often than a would be starship captain who was in the list of familiar faces.

[@williamcrowe2576]

The "edited for TV" version included a prologue that seemed like a university lecture on the Butlerian Jihad complete with PowerPoint presentation.

[@nigeh5326]

You and Sciman Dan are two good reasons to go on KZbin on a Friday 😊👍

[@RighteousBrother]

Flat earth Fridays!!

[@Neil070]

I have the dvd "special TV edition", with '35 mins extra footage not included in original theatrical release'. Hacking away at a film makes a big difference, like Snyder's JL, and B v S before that. Execs have lost studios $billions over the years, because they couldn't help meddling. It's like hiring Gordon Ramsey to prepare a meal, then telling him it needs to lose an ingredient. Probably provoked similar reaction from directors. I don't blame Lynch, and the losses incurred by execs cannot now be blamed on him. Or Alan Smithee. I love the film, in a cult kind of way, I prefer it to the 2021 version, though I enjoyed that, too. Loads of actors I like and admire, great scenery, and sets, imaginative and groundbreaking sfx (no CGI). Thoroughly enjoyable

[@doom7ish]

When Picard calls for Atomics.

[@DarinM1967]

This is one of my all time favorite Sci Fi movies. I really enjoyed it the first time I watched it, when I was 17, and have enjoyed watching it every time I watch it. Never read the books though but like most movie adaptations, the books are way deeper, richer and rational in their flow comparatively. Thanks for the review! 😀

[@Concreteowl]

The Spicediver edit is the best way to view this version.

[@fredkelly6953]

Being a Dune fan I was excited when it came out. In seeing it though I wasn't so much confused as bemused. There are scenes which are iconic Dune for me along with the music and when son Brian wrote the Prelude to Dune series I associated the actors from this movie to the books. However what stood out the most for me was the first act took up most of the movie and then they just shot through the rest of the book in half an hour.

[@mikenichols3849]

the few extra scenes included in the extended version made it a much better film imo.

[@EricFeldmann]

i love the Canterberry line, i had to phase the vid to recovrer. You are a mad genius .

[@TheNightBadger]

Brain Eno's Prophecy Theme is truly epic. I found this dull when I first watched it as a kid, but when I got a few years older I loved it. Still do.

[@heroesmartialartsacademy734]

Saw it in theaters when it came out. Remains a not so guilty pleasure on the addictive rewatch. Perspectively, it’s undertaking was hugely successful considering it is essentially impossible to make in one film. The new version is beautiful and well done, but seems slow compared to the original. Will always be able rewatch this film because of the special place it holds in my heart. The soundtrack is a pleasure to listen to on its own. Keep up the good work🙏🏻👊🏻

[@loftlegacy]

Back in 1984 we missed most of Virginia Masden’s prologue, so sat there quite bemused. I come to love this film via home video but the recent 4K release was amazing.

[@TMS5100]

Came for savage takedown of this movie. Was not disappointed. Lynch's dune was a mess, but what a glorious one. Fantastic sets and costumes, lots of amazing visuals. It has its own charms. I liked the recent remake as well, but it seemed to lack the spirit that the lynch version had.

[@RighteousBrother]

OMG I need you to cover every season of 24 now! Damn it! Great video as always !

[@PaulGreeve]

Quick tip: if you ever get a Whopper from McDonald’s, always process it in the Thigh Pads first.

[@StamFine]

lol

[@doctorlolchicken7478]

At the time of its release, what really killed the box office for this film, in the UK at least, was Sting. No one could see him in a serious movie. Everyone was saying, “Sting? No way. I’ll pass. “ I really like this film. I wish Lynch had been able to do the whole story how he wanted it, even if it was many hours long.

[@briancross7835]

Brad Doriff's death scene as Piter DeVries was comic gold.

[@angbald]

June is the best. Can't wait to go see June 2: July next week.

[@powerbomb4833]

The cinematography is fascinating and makes me feel nostalgic, even though I haven't been alive during that time.

[@noneofurbusiness5223]

I was intrigued by movie; couldn't keep up with finer points.

[@o0pinkdino0o]

One of my most watched VHS tapes just for the visual style and quality of cast.

[@ghanimaatreides5889]

I know you bemoan how abbreviated the movie is, but I love your recap even more... your abbreviation of the abbreviation, if you will.

[@thebaccathatchews]

The theatrical cut, the Alan Smithee cut, and the Stam Fine cut. 😁

[@model101t800]

I saw it in the theater as well, It's a mess but a beautiful mess and a guilty pleasure, the soundtrack by Toto is beautiful and Lynch did grab the strangeness of the book. But the rain at the end is still a torn in the eye

[@loslobos786]

This was the movie that got me into Sci-fi the first scene with the Spice Navigators is amazing. I have the steel box edition with both versions and still watch it to this day. If you're a die hard fan like me I highly recommend the “Alternative edition Redux" available on KZbin, it's 2 hrs and 58 minutes amazing and considered the best version of the film by fans.

[@Keth417]

Soft spot for thsi film having watched it on many levels.

[@ogami1972]

Why are all the best YT channels based in Australia?

[@Canned_Knight]

Been waiting for this for a long time

[@richarddeese1991]

Thanks. Yeah, I read the first book in my late teens, then saw this train-wreck. Yikes! I don't blame Lynch for putting the Alan Smithee tag on this one. But even if he'd made exactly the movie he wanted, I don't think I'd have cared too much for it. He's good at making David Lynch movies. I still haven't managed to see the new one, but it sounds great. I've read all 6 original books. This really is one the best sci-fi universes ever. tavi.

[@inkermoy]

I didn't see it in the theaters, but rented it when it came out on VHS. I remember the tape coming with a little glossary book for people to better understand what was going on. But being a fan of sci-fi and Star Trek, I thought it was fairly easy to follow. Set design and worldbuilding are great in this film, easily setting apart the houses into their own cultures. Even though there aren't a lot of space scenes, I do wish someone with some technical skill would remaster the space fold sequence. As a comic book fan, I had no problem having the characters thoughts voiced out in scene. Still one of my faves of the 80's, love the personal shields. I don't recall seeing the Extended Cut on TV, and though some fans swear by the SpiceDiver Cut, it was a slog with sloppy cuts and throwing in the computer infodumps that Paul was watching, nothing more that illustrations. I tried to read the book once. I thought it was kinda dry. :D Villeneuve's version is okay, but it's it's a much more subtle telling of the material. Comparable scenes like the Box, and the assassination attempt are more visceral and exciting in Lynch's version. But a big fan of Rebecca Ferguson, I'm glad she gets a lot of screentime.

[@theodorecalvin4214]

F*cking love this moving so much. Saw it multiple times in the theaters. Usually I hate movie adaptations and their compromises, but this one was just so fun.

[@cognosciento]

Well done, sir!

[@christopherengel7436]

Great & accurate review. The Weasley's! That makes sense. No wonder they had so many kids. I viewed it in a somewhat similar fashion and felt the same way. I always wondered how Paul never picked up any of his dad's accent or how no one else has that accent just there leader. I think maybe "Lady" Jessica is a cheater. Also you named a ton of the "name" actors involved & there's a ton more. Try catching the 5 hours cut. Doesn't seem to add anything except more hours.

[@Yxalitis]

Do DUNC next!

[@j_shelby_damnwird]

The Atreides Bunch 🤣🤣🤣🤣 ooh good one mate, instant subscribe

[@TheLyleB]

I saw it in theatres as well when I was 12 and I'm glad for it. The marketing for this was something else, though. I have the colouring and activity books ("help the hunter-seeker find Paul Atreides' eye" mazes and such) and I don't think the marketing people knew what David Lynch was like.

[@marieodu3149]

I remember this movie it was strange to say the least then I got my hand on the novel. Read the whole series then went back to the this movie version and finally understood it. Yep you can definitely tell where the edits were made.

[@HowdyDuty4]

Hell yeah! Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter shout out. Great game

[@johnortiz1964]

I'll always remember a review in time or Newsweek the headline read fantasy film as final exam.

[@Alondro77]

I saw the extended director's cut when it was released on TV in the 80's. It was still slow as hell, but added scenes that helped the story make a bit more sense. I recently watched the original theatrical version on Tubi, and yeah that was a mess that explained next to nothing well.

[@brose2323]

This movie is still my shit! I started watching this at 19 , in 1991. I wore the tape out. In 2010 i found myself sitting at the gate in Afghanistan, so i had to start watching it again. Needless to say this helped me get through there. Resource war in the desert , uniforms that made you sweat your bullocks off, fremen wandering in the hills. The only thing that was missing was the weirding module and giand sandworms ripping up the airfield. Good times.

[@jamestwhelan6693]

I saw Dune on opening night and knew I was in trouble when they handed everyone a ditto sheet with way too much info to read while waiting for the movie to begin…😬!

[@dogdrovenorth]

Previously on "DUNE" Paul, internal monologue: _the spice_ Gurney: look down! Duncan: Look at you. You put on some muscles! Gaius Helen Mohiam: you've proven you can rule yourself. Now, you must learn to rule others... The following takes place between the year ten thousand and something and lunchtime.

[@carlrood4457]

One thing to remember is at the time, it wasn't easy for a director to get his name removed from a film. They had to prove significant interference from other parties (producers, actors, studios). If the union allowed it, the name Alan Smithee was used on the production.

[@Crafty_chemist]

I first saw Dune on VHS in the 90's and there was just something about it, it instantly became one of my favorite movies. The cast and sets are all great and the overall feel of Dune is just "Lynchy" enough to make it weird and unique. Lynch's Dune is certainly flawed, but it's undeniably a beautiful mess.

[@wonsworld61]

This is the best epic fantasy summation that will save me having to read the most boring epic fantasy book series to be released since the absolutely woeful epic fantasy book series, the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Thank you

[@colormedubious4747]

I never could finish the Thomas Covenant series. I gave it a fair try, but the story stalls, then lurches forward, then stalls, then rolls slightly back down hill, then lurches forward, then repeats the same cycle of mediocrity, ad nauseum.

[@nutherefurlong]

It's interesting to hear what people who haven't read the books think of it. I hadn't when I first watched the film but I still liked how weird it was... It helps that the prophecy thing is actually set up, another manipulation of culture on purpose by a faction, though it winds up getting away from them similar to what the film hints at.

[@TheInfinitySystem]

Grew up with this film and had actually read the books first. There are SO many cuts of the Lynch movie out there, and I have seen them all but the ONLY version that I will rewatch is Spicediver's FanEdit Alternative Edition. The man took all of the jagged mess and put it together into a coherent whole. If you haven't seen it, you haven't properly seen 1984's DUNE. Wish he'd do an update, it's been 10 years.

[@tomt55]

Pretty decent review. There were so many (comedic?) metephors and attempts at comedy that it was a bit taxing. Thanks for posting this.

[@Keefymonoped]

The first DVD I ever bought. I still think that this is a good film.

[@THEOUTCASTSCREATIVE]

I got to see an edit of this that wasn't intended for release in 84 that Richmond cinema was delivered by accident

[@mugga76]

haha i could never get passed the inner monogues...

[@robertrootes]

A saw Dune in 2 theaters. The first theater had no prologue with Virginia Madsen filling in blanks. That happened on the second viewing a few weeks later. I absolutely love the film. I don't like spoonfed garbage that keeps rehashing throughout the film. That happens far too much these days. If you're not involved from the beginning you'll miss something

[@Thespiansewist]

Reminded me of an opera on bad acid.

[@thirdcoast6513]

I feel the spice my guy

[@beagleissleeping5359]

2:26 He's holding the pug😂

[@NewMessage]

Been there... Dune that.

[@Homeschoolsw6]

rad.

[@valmarsiglia]

Whatever Dune's faults, that scene with the emperor and the Guild navigator is badass as hell.

[@valmarsiglia]

@@Buster_Piles Great minds think alike! 😆

[@perceivedvelocity9914]

Hey Stam Fine. Have you seen the Spicediver's cut of Dune? It was on KZbin last time I checked. Spicediver's edit is a lot better than the theatrical version. It's a lot closer to the book. He removed some scenes, added some deleted scenes and made the end of the movie match the book.

[@thedad7313]

“Why are you videoing my personal car”? I ask that of plod about 100 times a day.

[@whitleybayman123]

This has always been one of my fave movies and I dont get the hate

[@spacemanmattscifi]

Great review! I read the book a long time ago and never got its appeal apart from the detailed world building which genre fans love. The depiction of a feudalistic future is unappealing to me but perhaps appeals to wealthy people and left- brained engineer types who see the world in black and white. The movie is not that bad. The ending battle of movie is more exciting than what happened in the book IIRC. The detracting factor for me was the constantly whispered internal monologs which serve as exposition for the overly complex story. Perhaps if they delivered the monolog lines in a different way it would have been better. I really love The Atredies Bunch, you're a major talent, Stam.

[@diamonddylanpage7150]

I, too, once put my hand in a woman's box and was forever changed.

[@erraticuk]

Did you about the prophecy that if you mention Patrick Stewart in Dune you then have to review Excalibur (1981)

[@M2Mil7er]

I did not about the prophesy.

[@mirvjournal1693]

Excalibur!

[@martinhavelock5106]

Underrated game Mace Griffin.

[@hgwells1899]

Loved this movies whispered inner monologues so much, I trained myself to think that way. Been in a permanent self induced ASMR tingle since 1984. Now all I see is a Brady I want to kill

[@toddnolastname4485]

I think I tried to read to read the book once, when I was in high school (had already read Lord of the Rings twice), and just couldn't get past the first few pages.

[@freyjafirefly9201]

"Doon! What Does Mine Say?"

[@englishjack5112]

With hindsight they should have split the film in two the end the first film should have been the defeat of Atreides,the end the of second film should have been the victory of Atreides. They had enough unused footage to pad the two film out. And the distributes & backers would have happy.

[@justinbrown691]

I love this movie.I saw it as a kid and was told I wouldn't like it. Wrong. My only regret is that the book disappointed me. I guess that is the power of childhood memories.

[@kubrickenigma7977]

I like this movie very much, but it truly is a cure for insomnia.

[@SevenJetC]

The kid is born with all the knowledge of reverend mother, but grows at normal rate, the movie is just not clear on the time skips.

[@braxxian]

Dune is an amazing looking film that defiantly takes you away to an alien universe. Sadly a single 2 hr film was never going to be able to even remotely tell this complex story properly.

[@monotonehell]

Claims not to be a reader... quotes Adams... I suppose he could have heard the radio series, watched the TV series or watched the movie... but... ellipsis...

[@linphillips8331]

I first saw Dune in 1986 in Okinawa on some bootlegged video cassette played on the smallest, crappiest tv you've ever seen in your life. It was visually murky and incoherent, and cropped from letterbox format. I had never read the books at that point and hadn't a clue as to what was going on. I only developed an appreciation for it, flaws and all, in more recent years.

[@Crumphorn]

I adore this film, though it's terribly flawed - the music especially is great. It's also *better* than the 2021 Dune.

[@braxxian]

Agreed. The 2021 version is rather bland and soulless where as this version is like a rollercoaster ride of richness, even if it doesn't make much sense.

[@jetnavigator]

I enjoyed it more than the remake.

[@jeffnettleton3858]

I had never read the book and the only thing I knew about Dune, aside from seeing the paperbacks in bookstores (they were up to 5 books, I believe), was that Gil Gerard kept bringing it up in a Starlog interview, where he mocked Star Wars (did he see his own movie?). I went to see it on the strength of the trailer, which had a cool, old world design, in a futuristic setting, some wild visuals, and intriguing dialogue. I had no problems following the plot, after the opening prologue. I enjoyed the film and bought the book and read the first three, by which point I was pretty tired of everything. They worked better as a trilogy than a longer saga and bringing in Kevin Anderson to crap out books hasn't improved things over Frank Herberts own unnecessary sequels. That said, the film is a feast of overacting or inexplicably bad acting, like Lynch, himself, who makes Quentin Tarantino look like Olivier, by comparison (and Quentin is a lousy actor). Sting does his best work, by keeping his mouth shut (he was better in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, but you can't buy him as a tough guy with a shady past). Lynch was one who liked weirdness for weirdness sake and that hurts things; but, enough works that I snort at people who say it is incomprehensible; or, like Siskel & Ebert, the worst film of the year. Not while Canon was making films. It forces you to use your brain, a bit, which is no bad thing; but, hated by critics, it seems, who will talk about oeuvre and layered subtext, but cannot understand anything deeper than a Burt Reynolds movie. Dune is heavily flawed, but highly entertaining and thought provoking. It is a lush film that often sounds like a high school drama society production.

[@caloss2]

I watched this movie aged 15 in 1984 after reading the books, and it seemed more like a highlights reel of the story and characters that missed most of the important plot points then changed the plot points it did cover and changed the characters; the 2000 series was a little better but the 2021 Dune was by far the best attempt to commit the first half of the first book to film. It's difficult with movies the story takes place on the screen, with books the story takes place in your mind.

[@ckooakley]

No Brother, do yourself a favour and watch the Spicediver 2012 fan-edit. The Spicediver is superior to the 2021 Villeneuve version, especially for the uninitiated and it makes the 2000s miniseries look like community theatre. That being said, I love the 2021 version, but only due to the fact that I saw the fan-edit and knew what was going on, nothing is explained in the 2021 movie. Someone new to Dune would have no idea: who Thufir Hawat and Piter de Vries were, let alone what a Mentat was or what the blue tattoo represented, Suk mark of conditioning or the prohibition of artificial intelligence in the Imperium Peace!

[@TheBeird]

Paradoxically, you can get more enjoyment from the film having read the books because you know what the hell everyone's talking about, and not enjoy it for all the changes made. I like the Lynchian additions, the grotesque stuff what not, but the biggest change was having Paul actual BE a messiah when the source material . . . gets a bit complicated. It's telling though that everyone attached to Dune said it needed more than one film. When Jordorowsky said he'd make a ten hour film, he actually meant cutting it up into multiple parts. Finally the money men listened and it seems we're now getting a great cinematic adaptation with Denis Villenueve's version. So far, anyway.

[@inkermoy]

I have to disagree with you about Jodorowsky's Dune being 10 hours cut up. He wanted a film that altered people's minds like taking LSD without taking LSD. You're not going to get that cutting it up giving the audience a reprieve. 10 hours would be an appropriate torture/indoctrination session. And as much as I admire Jodorowsky's creative vision, his Dune would have flopped hard and only achieve cult status with very very few. But he did bring in a group of creatives that helped shape the 80's sci-fi we all know and love. I thank him for that.

[@TheBeird]

@@inkermoy In the cut scenes from Jodorowsky’s Dune, he says as much that if it came to releasing his version in multiple parts, he would have. But I have no doubt that he would have released a 10 hour version if he could have

[@jedidiahmorley7842]

with you on the not reading much o they books... funny how disney adopted spice after lucas' throwaway line... wtf did boba fett do to the memory of han and po, eh? ;)

[@HuntingCatIsBack]

Not a Duchess but the Duke's concubine; so classier than a Duke Street walker then?

[@andersdenkend]

As a young one it was too boring for me, but later I appreciated it for it's visual audacity. After having read the books I also kinda appreciated more because it didn't seem so bad story wise, or my mind was filling out the gaps in the movie subconciously.

[@Wookiee925]

You talk about prophecy being convenient at one part, but actually that's actually a major theme / plot in the book, criticism of people blindly putting faith into someone charismatic who happens to sort of fit into a prophecy. One that was created and seeded onto the planet specifically to be used to exploit the people

[@TheyCallMeNewb]

Mace Griffin - Bounty Hunter callback! What proved, to put it lightly, unfortunate release alongside the also excellent Halo: Combat Evolved, utterly wrecked chances of esteem and financial reward for Mace Griffin, which really did deserve it, as with Halo.

[@TimothyCollins]

I always kinda liked this movie. Really weird but... it's a very thick book tried to be condensed to 90 minutes directed by David lynch. What did people expect?

[@PatTheBatmanFan]

Aha! Proof of your Hitchhikers fan bona fides… Tedious mucking about in hyperspace indeed.

[@carlrood4457]

It's an interesting idea to give the characters' thoughts. It's one of those things books do all the time, but live action doesn't. You can see why here. It doesn't translate well and really slows things down.