DUNE is a very complex and rich book. It has previously been adapted twice (once as the 1984 movie directed by David Lynch and the TV mini-series Frank Herbert's DUNE). Director Denis Villeneuve has wanted to adapt the book for a long time. It was a dream project of his. He figured the book had to be adapted into two movies to do it justice, but Legendary and Warner bros would only let him do the first part (by now Part 2 has been greenlight to be made for an October 2023 release). Unfortunately, Denis isn't a fan of extended cuts or including deleted scenes on the blu-ray. I hope he includes the scenes he cut from the movie (since DUNE is his dream project) to bring it to around two and a half hours. I hope he puts his ego aside and does an extended cut (and I still want to see that 4 hour cut of BLADE RUNNER 2049 he never released to the blu-ray). I wonder if he was able to film both parts at the same time that he would have made DUNE PART ONE closer to three hours since a few character scenes were cut to get the movie closer to a magical runtime number.

DUNE PART ONE is one of the more faithful adaptations of the novel despite some things being left out and only the first half of the book being featured in this movie. It has a fantastic cast, great costume design, and visuals. You do want to see this movie on the big screen and it is a difference from watching it on HBO Max. I have watched it both ways and the big theater screen does make a difference from the visuals to the score.

David Lynch's theatrical cut of DUNE (1984) is like a cliff note’s version of the book which is beautiful to look at and it sometimes can trippy (calling out Lynch's surreal sensibilities). The three hour TV cut is closer to the book as it does include more stuff from the book (but David Lynch has disowned this version since he wasn't consulted to do it). The TV cut is out-of-print on DVD and Universal has pulled it from the market (hence why it never showed up on Arrow's Special Edition). I do hope David Lynch can be convinced to do an extended cut (with all of the renewed interested and him saying he has no desire to revisit it- one can dream). I do want to revisit the SyFy Channel mini-series, Frank Herbert's DUNE which is a good adaptation of the source material and I have the five hour directors cut on DVD and I may give it a rewatch around Thanksgiving. This brings me full circle back to my review of DUNE PART ONE (2021). You should see this on the big screen because it is a different experience from watching it on HBO Max. It is a visual delight with a sweeping score, great costume and production design, and a good cast. Hopefully, Legendary and Warner can convince Denis to do an extended cut while pre-production is going on for DUNE PART TWO because fans of the book and movie deserve it because they showed up to watch it and many have noted how much shouldn't have been cut (which Denis has shot).

FINAL ANALYSIS: Go see DUNE PART ONE in theaters if you can. It is the best adaptation of the novel so far even though it is only the first half of the book and Denis left some good scenes on the cutting room floor (please do an extended cut or at least include the deleted scenes on blu-ray). Seeing it big with a theater sound system is a better experience than on HBO Max. Read the book if you can't wait to see DUNE PART TWO (whether you have read the Frank Herbert novel or not). You can even watch the previous two adaptations of DUNE, but approach it with guarded expectations. JODORDOWSKY'S DUNE is a great documentary on a version of DUNE which almost got made.

This review is (c)11-7-2021 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com