I've read the book and I've also seen the first film by David Lynch, many times. There are parts of the first film that seem, in comparison, incomplete and a tad rushed. However it was a wonderful unique piece in it's own right...but to me, Harrison's version of the epic novel is perhaps the best by far.
His adaptation of the story remains true to Herbert's novel while at the same time providing enjoyable effects and a unique view of the characters. In a Question and Answer session with fans at the Sci-Fi Channel's official site, Harrison said that, when he signed on to do the project, his version would be an 'adaptation of Herbert's book' and not his interpretation of the work.
Indeed Harrison lived up to his words, changing little of the story. However, in everything there has to be some change...and in this case it was the internal monologues. Novels tend to have more internal monologues and internal bantering and in adapting any novel to screen those bits have to be made external.
The "look" of the Sandworms is much scarier than it was in the first movie. The uniforms and costumes in the new mini-series were researched and designed, by Theodor Pistek, to be as close to what Herbert described in his novel. Even the pronunciations of names and places were as written by Herbert.
But, one of the best features, to me, of this new version is the vast collection of accents that seem to match the characters perfectly, the actors and actresses were from a vast array of countries including the Czech Republic, England, Ireland, Italy and the US, and the fact that Harrison didn't try to "Americanize" the accents like some directors might have done.
All in all, I wholeheartedly believe that fans of Frank Herbert's Dune novel, even fans of the original film, will thoroughly enjoy the new mini-series.
Trivia Question:
What other popular Sci-Fi film has William Hurt starred in?
Last Week's Question and Answer:
What was the name of the Northern Amazon Queen in the Xena episode "Adventures in the Sin Trade Part I & II"?
The Amazon Queen's name was Cyane.
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