Dune newbie questions - Page 2

bryce · January 12 2010, 01:54 AM

Hyperspace05 wrote:

The Sci-Fi Dune mini-series is worth going through just to get to their Children of Dune mini-series. (It covers 'Dune Messiah' and 'Children of Dune' books)

It is by far the best adaptation of Herbert's books.

I agree.

In production quality, if by FAR made up for how low-rent the first Scifi Channel "Dune" mini was...

(You can actually see they are clearly using *backdrops* in the desert scenes in the first mini...CoD actually used CGI desert scenes...and the music - the music is *awesome*...)

The Wormhole · January 12 2010, 02:19 AM

The Sci-Fi minis are the best adaptations of Dune. I would only suggest the Lynch film if you are a Dune completist and want to see another intrepretation of the novel.

In regards to the order to read the novels, I read them in the order they were published, and that seems to me the best way.

JD · January 12 2010, 02:52 AM

bryce wrote:

Hyperspace05 wrote:

The Sci-Fi Dune mini-series is worth going through just to get to their Children of Dune mini-series. (It covers 'Dune Messiah' and 'Children of Dune' books)

It is by far the best adaptation of Herbert's books.

I agree.

In production quality, if by FAR made up for how low-rent the first Scifi Channel "Dune" mini was...

(You can actually see they are clearly using *backdrops* in the desert scenes in the first mini...CoD actually used CGI desert scenes...and the music - the music is *awesome*...)

Really? I was kinda nervous about it since the condensed 774 pages (336 for CM and 408 for CoD) into one miniseries.

Hyperspace05 · January 12 2010, 03:01 AM

JD wrote:

Really? I was kinda nervous about it since the condensed 774 pages (336 for CM and 408 for CoD) into one miniseries.

It doesn't matter. It is the best adaptation. Plus it has an amazing soundtrack.

Lindley · January 12 2010, 03:50 AM

bryce wrote:

(You can actually see they are clearly using *backdrops* in the desert scenes in the first mini...

The use of backdrops is not uncommon; Stargate SG-1 did it all the time. But the real problem was that the sand they ordered for the set arrived in the wrong color, so it didn't match the backdrops, and they didn't have the time or money to replace it.

JD wrote:

Really? I was kinda nervous about it since the condensed 774 pages (336 for CM and 408 for CoD) into one miniseries.

CoD Part 1 is essentially Dune Messiah; parts 2 and 3 are the actual Children of Dune story.

They do condense a few things, but it works. Reading the books does add texture and complexity to some of the miniseries scenes, though.

Besides, it's got Alice Krige!

As for the music, a disproportionate number of movie trailers over the past few years have used music from Children of Dune, because the music just screams "EPIC" in every way. Even Star Trek's trailer did.

JD · January 12 2010, 06:33 AM

^Yeah, if it's got Alice Krige in it it can't be all bad... especially if Susan Sarandon is in it too.

Harvey · January 12 2010, 07:41 AM

The use of backdrops (translights, actually) was an intentional choice in the first miniseries. Styalistically, they wanted it to look theatrical.

JoeZhang · January 12 2010, 09:47 AM

Read the originals, then use anything with Brian Herbert on the cover for toilet paper.

Reverend · January 13 2010, 02:55 AM

Harvey wrote:

The use of backdrops (translights, actually) was an intentional choice in the first miniseries. Styalistically, they wanted it to look theatrical.

Which was in itself the biggest, most fundamental mistake they made. Fortunately they learned from that and didn't repeat it.

As for reading the books, I'd recommend just sticking to the order they were published. Though after you're done with Frank's work, be prepared for a drastic (and it appears, accumulative) drop in quality.
Not that Brian and Kevin are BAD exactly, just lacing in subtlety. They have a tendency to spell out every single plot point, spending whole chapters describing what Frank would only imply in a sentence or two and yet leave you far more intrigued, satisfied and much less bored and vaguely patronised.

Harvey · January 13 2010, 07:43 AM

I don't know if they learned from that. But Harrison couldn't be scheduled to direct the second miniseries, so they brought in somebody else. Who was, by far, better. Harrison still wrote the script, though, which was quite good.

JD · January 13 2010, 07:13 PM

Does anyon know why they have Children of Dune on both ITunes and Amazon's Video on Deman, but not the Dune miniseries? It seems weird to me that they would have the second one but not the first. I know you guys have said it isn't very good, but I'm thinking about watching the David Lynch movie. I'm just really curious to compare the two versions.

Michael Chris · January 13 2010, 07:16 PM

Not sure, but I think different companies have the rights.. I could be wrong though.

Hyperspace05 · January 13 2010, 07:55 PM

Watch both! (The Lynch film and the mini-series)

The miniseries should be available for dirt cheap now.

Starbreaker · January 13 2010, 10:29 PM

JD wrote:

Does anyon know why they have Children of Dune on both ITunes and Amazon's Video on Deman, but not the Dune miniseries? It seems weird to me that they would have the second one but not the first. I know you guys have said it isn't very good, but I'm thinking about watching the David Lynch movie. I'm just really curious to compare the two versions.

You're gonna read the book first, right?

Harvey · January 13 2010, 11:09 PM

If you do watch the miniseries, make sure it's the director's cut (the international version) and not the shorter, censored version that was shown on the Sci-Fi Channel in the United States.

January 12 2010, 02:19 AM	#17
The Wormhole Admiral	Re: Dune newbie questions The Sci-Fi minis are the best adaptations of Dune. I would only suggest the Lynch film if you are a Dune completist and want to see another intrepretation of the novel. In regards to the order to read the novels, I read them in the order they were published, and that seems to me the best way. __________________ "Internet message boards aren't as funny today as they were ten years ago. I've stopped reading new posts." -The Simpsons 20th anniversary special.

January 12 2010, 06:33 AM	#21
JD Admiral Location: Arizona, USA	Re: Dune newbie questions ^Yeah, if it's got Alice Krige in it it can't be all bad... especially if Susan Sarandon is in it too. __________________ Over the course of many encounters and many years, I have successfully developed a standard operating procedure for dealing with big, nasty monsters. Run away. Me and Monty Python. Harry Dresden - Blood Rites (The Dresden Files #6)

January 12 2010, 07:41 AM	#22
Harvey Admiral	Re: Dune newbie questions The use of backdrops (translights, actually) was an intentional choice in the first miniseries. Styalistically, they wanted it to look theatrical. __________________ "What do you hear, Starbuck?" "Nothing but the rain, sir." "Then grab your gun and bring in the cat."

January 12 2010, 09:47 AM	#23
JoeZhang Rear Admiral	Re: Dune newbie questions Read the originals, then use anything with Brian Herbert on the cover for toilet paper.

January 13 2010, 07:43 AM	#25
Harvey Admiral	Re: Dune newbie questions I don't know if they learned from that. But Harrison couldn't be scheduled to direct the second miniseries, so they brought in somebody else. Who was, by far, better. Harrison still wrote the script, though, which was quite good. __________________ "What do you hear, Starbuck?" "Nothing but the rain, sir." "Then grab your gun and bring in the cat."

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January 13 2010, 07:13 PM	#26
JD Admiral Location: Arizona, USA	Re: Dune newbie questions Does anyon know why they have Children of Dune on both ITunes and Amazon's Video on Deman, but not the Dune miniseries? It seems weird to me that they would have the second one but not the first. I know you guys have said it isn't very good, but I'm thinking about watching the David Lynch movie. I'm just really curious to compare the two versions. __________________ Over the course of many encounters and many years, I have successfully developed a standard operating procedure for dealing with big, nasty monsters. Run away. Me and Monty Python. Harry Dresden - Blood Rites (The Dresden Files #6)

January 13 2010, 07:16 PM	#27
Michael Chris Admiral Location: The 'Querq, NM	Re: Dune newbie questions Not sure, but I think different companies have the rights.. I could be wrong though. __________________ To live is Christ, and to die is gain.

January 13 2010, 07:55 PM	#28
Hyperspace05 Commodore	Re: Dune newbie questions Watch both! (The Lynch film and the mini-series) The miniseries should be available for dirt cheap now.

January 13 2010, 11:09 PM	#30
Harvey Admiral	Re: Dune newbie questions If you do watch the miniseries, make sure it's the director's cut (the international version) and not the shorter, censored version that was shown on the Sci-Fi Channel in the United States. __________________ "What do you hear, Starbuck?" "Nothing but the rain, sir." "Then grab your gun and bring in the cat."