Dune (TV miniseries)

Film |

  name     = Frank Herbert's Dune |
  image          = Dune-miniseries.jpg|

director = John Harrison | producer = Mitchell Galin | writer = Frank Herbert (novel)
John Harrison | starring = Alec Newman
Saskia Reeves |

  distributor    =  |

released = 2000 |

  runtime        = 265 min. |
  language = English |
  budget         = |
  music          = |
  awards         = |

imdb_id = 0142032 |}}

Frank Herbert's Dune was a three-part miniseries based on the Dune novel by Frank Herbert. It was produced by New Amsterdam Entertainment in association with Blixa Film Productktion and Hallmark Entertainment Distribution, and broadcast by the Sci Fi Channel. The series was first broadcast in 2000.

Adaptation

While many book fans consider the film an unfaithful adaptation, fans have heatedly debated whether the miniseries more truly reflects the philosophical and thematic point of view of the original. Those who consider it to be a more accurate adaptation of the saga than the 1984 film are probably in the majority; however, dissenters contend that the miniseries' deviations from the book are at least as major as those of Lynch's film, and that the latter better conveys the subtleties and nuances of Herbert's novel.

Some have taken issue with Alec Newman's portrayal of the Paul Atreides character (particularly in the first part of the film), as an angst-filled, rebellious, petulant teenager, which they consider a contradiction with his portrayal as a mature-beyond-his-years protagonist in Herbert's novel. However, others believe that in the miniseries, Newman's conflicted portrayal is more realistic.

The miniseries also invents an extensive subplot for Princess Irulan, a character who plays little part in the first novel.

The miniseries also boasted some stylistic changes. For example, whereas Herbert's ornithopters were described as truly birdlike in their flight, the miniseries' ornithopters more closely resembled insects. Contention surrounding the 'correct' pronunciation of Herbert's "Fedaykin" aside, the miniseries opted for a Western pronunciation ("Fed-die-kin") as opposed to the Arabic-sounding one used in Lynch's film (which would seem appropriate given the extensive, Arabic-themed terminology in the novel). Some fans were upset by the look of the spice-addicted characters' eyes, believing that the phosphorescent light blue coloring was not consistent with Herbert's description, "blue within blue".

Follow-up

A follow-up miniseries called Frank Herbert's Children of Dune, continued the story, adapting the second and third novels in the series.

A Director's Cut edition of the mini-series is available on DVD, which contains many additional scenes not in the original televised version. The original televised version is also available.

Awards

The miniseries won two Emmy Awards in 2001 for Cinematography and Visual effects in a miniseries/movie, as well as being nominated for a third for Sound editing.

Trivia

*It is shot in Univisium (2:1) aspect ratio, although it was broadcast in 16:9.

External links

*The SadGeezer's Guide to Dune Episode, character, culture and technology guides and resources