Books2Movies Club discussion

There have been many attempts to bring Dune to the screen as a movie. Many of which have failed. This, however, is the thread for the 1984 version of the film adaptation of Dune. Interestingly though this film inspired such sci-fi works as Star Wars, it was not until after those movies that this came to the screen. The question that should and must be asked is: did the impact of the other films affect this adaptation negatively? And can the book ever be re-adapted as a new movie or television show given the legacy of Star Wars and Star Trek?

You may also be interested in checking out Jodorowsky's Dune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WWu1...
This is about the failed attempt to bring the book of Dune to the screen in another version. It's more of a documentary but it has received incredibly high accolades.

I am so guilty for not reading this book when this post came up, and I so wanted to, because I loved this book when I was a child, and I was fond of the movie as a guilty pleasure, because it was so weird when I watched it as a kid.

Now I plan to read the book asap, watch the first movie, check Jonathan's Jodorowsky, and then on to the cinema to see the new one :)

FYI, the discussion about the book itself is here:

Dune - The Book

I watched Dune (1984) this afternoon, and managed to fall asleep (gasp) ten minutes before the end of the movie (and continued half an hour later afterwards - only to get disappointed how abruptly it ended). It wasn't really a bad movie as an adaptation, because it was more-less faithful to the book. However, those who didn't read the book would find a quick succession of main narrative plot points very confusing, despite many voiceovers during the film. I found it just dull. And so gross! Why were visuals so unappealing? Who would want to live in such a disgusting world?

There is one scene I'll definitely cherish - Patrick Stewart carrying a pug under his bosom during an attack. Why was the poor beast in the movie at all, it is beyond me!

There is also a mini-series made in 2000. Three episodes only, but I am not sure I have such stamina to watch this too after this new movie I intend to watch this week when it arrives to our cinemas.

Has anybody watched the mini-series? Would it be worth an effort?

Watched the new movie. Got a chuckle when I realized (a fair warning to all of you who do not know just like I didn't!) that the movie captures only the first half of the book. Actually that was a bit irresponsible from the filmmakers not to have done both movies back to back - they instead waited to see how the first one will go. Very risky decision! What if the movie wasn't so successful? What if all the actors won't be available for the making of the second movie? What if Chalamet outgrows his teenager looks?

Ok on the movie itself - The visuals were stunning. Really, the movie is amazing in that aspect. The narrative follows the book more-less. However, I didn't feel much for the actors - I guess in order to keep the narrative going we didn't have much time to invest in the characters. So the movie was fun, and I'll probably watch the second movie when it comes out, but the whole impression was just meh. The grandeur of that desert space makes me feel nothing in comparison with Elrond's house and Lothlorien, where I would feel at home every time.

As a sidenote, my family didn't understand much what was going on and why, so I had to do some explaining too. Not a good omen for people who didn't read the book! When I said it'll probably all be made perfectly clear in the second movie, that bit just frustrated them more.

No pugs too unfortunately!