DUNE

US, 1984, 132 minutes, Colour.
Francesca Annis, Leonardo Cimino, Brad Dourif, Jose Ferrer. Linda Hunt, Freddie Jones, Richard Jordan, Kyle Mac Lachlan, Virginia Madsen, Silvana Mangano, Everett Mc Gill, Kenneth Mac Millan, Jack Nance, Sian Phillips, Jurgen Prochnow, Sean Young, Alicia Witt, Sting.
Directed by David Lynch.
Dune was a spectacular science fiction, futuristic film of 1984. It was remade as a miniseries in 2000.It is adapted from a celebrated novel by Frank Herbert, the adaptation being done by the director, David Lynch.

This was a surprising venture for David Lynch who had made the experimental Eraserhead as well as The Elephant Man. he was soon to make Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, The Straight Story – and was to make a number of short films and more mysterious, dreamlike films like Mulholland Drive and Lost Highway.

The film was not well received at the time though it had a solid fan base. It had some spectacular effects for the time (seven years after the first Star Wars film). The strange creatures were particularly notable. It also had a striking score and theme.There was also a great deal of unusual make up and design.

The film is set in the galaxies almost 10,000 years hence, several planets having rival families, a planet for the Emperor, and a planet where a particular spice was found and exploited for all kinds of human uses.

The international cast is also very strong with Kyle Mac Lachlan as the Messiah -like Paul Atreides. He was to be a strong member of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks films and television series.

1. The work of Frank Herbert? Science fiction? Futuristic fiction? Popularity in the 70s and 80s? The ideas, vision? Dune as a film of the 1980s?

2. David Lynch, his career, his particular styles? His adaptation of the novel? Technical atmosphere, the future, space, planets, the interiors and exteriors, the special effects in space, the staging of the battles? The different kingdoms, vehicles? The creation of the creatures? Costumes, decor, make up? The musical score and themes?

3. The far distant future, the different universe, the major planets, the not focusing on earth, the initial listing of the planets, the Emperor, Atreides family, the Harkonnens? Dune, the spice? The diagrams?

4. The introduction from the Princess, explanations? The planets, the spice, the role of the spice and its effect? Travelling, the folding of space?

5. The Emperor, his power, his court, his daughter? The plans and recommendations? The witch in attendance? The arrival of the creature, the confrontation, mouth, eye? The plans about Dune? Setting the two houses against each other? Betrayal and conflict? The games? The Emperor’s agreement?

6. The family of Atreides? Paul, the talk of a Messiah? His youth? The role of his father, ruling? His mother and her care? Seeing him at work? The three approaching? The Warrior advisor and the fight in the cubes? The old sage, his look, eyebrows, advice? The doctor and his role?

7. The Harkkonnens, the Baron and his disfigured face, holding court, his power, the nature of advice from the key advisor? His need for blood, the victim and his aggression? His nephew and his associate? The plans for the Harkonnens? And the Baron floating?

8. The visit to the Emperor, the plan, the presence of the advisor witch? Deaths and aggression? The Baron?

9. Duncan, his friendship with Paul? The advance group going to Dune? The family travelling to the planet? The search for the inhabitants? Underground? The growing numbers, the possibility for them to be allies? Their appearance, their blue eyes and the effect of the spice? The doctor and his advice? The dwarf woman and her reaching out, at the confrontation and her death? The child and prophecy? The support for Paul? The doctor revealed as a traitor?

10. The Allies, the visualising of the battles? The buildup to the conflict between Paul and the Baron’s nephew? The house of Atreides saved, the parents saved?

11. The mining of the spice, the terrain of Dune, the presence of the creatures, their size, appearance, threats? The approach? Destruction?

12. The threat to the Empire, the role of the Harkonnens, the ascendancy of the house Atreides? Peace in the universe?