Dune (1984) The Alternative Edition Redux | 480p Edition

I have a different take than most other reviewers. For one, I actually really enjoyed the normal DVD version of Dune! Yes, I'm the one.

I don't find the film particularly harder to understand than a film like Memento or Inception or The Fountain. You need to be attentive, and a rewatch wouldn't hurt. But it's not nearly as impenetrable as the novels. Therefore, I wasn't really looking for anything to simplify the narrative in this fanedit. For me, this was simply a chance to get more of a good thing! I wanted all the extra footage from the other versions.

Unfortunately, this footage is a mess, with very inconsistent quality and a few hard-to-incorporate edits. Despite spicediver's work on the effects, it is just really very jarring whenever the footage switches. It took me right out of the film every time.

In as much as some of the added scenes expand and deepen the world of Dune, many of them really do nothing but slow down the narrative. I actually have to agree with many of the decisions of the original studio. Putting these scenes back in makes you very aware of the runtime, and adds little to the story. Dune is already a long, epic film without them. I think a few could be added back in, IF the visual/audio quality wasn't distracting.

Overall, many of the small tweaks in this edit are appreciated. But the length and structure now feels bloated to me, and the added scenes are a mixed bag. I still prefer the previous version, personally, though I'm sure completists and fans of the novel may like this version better.

i was torn in whether to write a review for this edit but i've always written a review for every fanedit that i've seen. i must confess that i've never seen the original dune film so i can't compare this edit to the original. i know that david lynch has somewhat disowned the film and had many problems with the studio. i picked up the steel box double sided disc version of this for less than a pond at second hand store (a bargain given the price it sells on ebay) instead of watching either version i decided to watch a fanedited version as it's highly regarded and said to be the best version of the film.

the editing here is of a really high standard and for many dune fans i can see why they appropriate this edit so much. truth is i didn't enjoy the film very much, i am a fan of david lynch and have seen all but a couple of his films but i do feel this to be his weakest yet.

the narrative in splitting the film into four books is well done i felt the first book to be the most difficult in terms of enjoyment but does improve during book II. the deleted scenes are incorporated without disturbing the follow or the movie. they do stick out in terms of quality though i'm sure the editor did the best he could be clean them up.

overall i am glad that i finally watched dune i did struggle to watch this all in one go and i'm sure that fans of the book can view this as a definitive version of the film. it doesn't however feel like a david lynch film and in many ways big budget studio films doesn't suit his style of film making.

This is a beautiful extension of a fabulous film. All the scenes you've heard about from the various deleted sources are here, but integrated in a logical and intelligent manner. But more, the basic editing of the film is improved, with transitions that make more sense and flow much better than even the original.
But my favorite part is the inclusion of the "historical datafiles" taken form the unused introductory narration. I've seen it used as an alternate opening monologue, replacing Princess Irulan. However I always thought that was clunky, though interesting. Here, it is integrated into the film in the form of Paul's continued studies, and it turns a block of "flavor text" into a near-easter egg that subtly teases at the massive history lying under the surface of the events of the movie.
An excellent film!

I first saw the Lynch version of "Dune", ten years ago... and frigging hated it. There are parts of it, that no re-edit can fix -- the often hideous art direction, questionable acting choices, and just plain cheap-looking effects. But this brilliant re-edit does fix some of the worst problems, namely the awkward pacing, the great disservice of the Fremen (particularly in the theatrical cut), and the annoying as hell narration for every lingering thought.

The final movie -- and yes, I do call this the definitive cut of the Lynch film -- doesn't turn a turd into a masterpiece, but it does make the absolute best of the filmed material. Great work.