when two directors adapt the same book

#dune #denisvilleneuve #davidlynch

With the release Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two, the franchise has become more popular than ever. But did you know there was a previous Dune movie? And did you know it was directed by David Lynch. Today, we're going compare Villeneuve's Dune and David Lynch's Dune, looking at the differences in aesthetic, pacing, tone and visuals.

Thanks to my friend Jess for helping with Dune lore.

References:

[ArcherGreen]

What other directors could make an interesting Dune adaptation?

[roshangoab]

I really feel for David Lynch. He recently said he refuses to watch the new movies, not because he has anything against them, but because it still hurts him that he never got to make the movie he wanted to make and the new movies will only remind him of what could've been

[FrozenRoxas]

Mad respect for Lynch for being so open and honest about it, and transparent about why things turned out the way they did

[timy]

This feels more like “when studios get in the way” than it is a comparison between two different directors styles

[ShirDeutch]

The most hilarious part about Lynch's version is in the opening exposition monologue, where it ends, the princess fades away, and then fades back in to say "oh by the way I forgot to tell you another detail"... Almost feels like a parody.

[TreyJ_mx]

I think what sets Timothee’s portrayal above Kyle’s is AFTER he takes the Water of Life. He becomes an entirely different person, while in ‘84 he doesn’t seem to change.

[PhattyBolger]

I don't think the guild navigators actually fold spacetime themselves, they just use the spice to foresee a path so the ships can do it without crashing.

[casedistorted]

In Dune 2 the worm riding scene shook the entire theater, it was a once in a lifetime experience I will remember. It was like riding a sandworm in the theaters, I loved it.

[entropy_]

When two directors have completely different budget and amount of freedom.

[BillGunslinger]

Man, I really don't like seeing Lynch talk about his Dune. It is still hurting him, an unhealed scar, you can feel the sadness on his voice. It must be very painful when you try so hard to bring your vision to the world but then everything goes wrong.

[DongusMcBongus]

Man, I really wish I could see David Lynch’s fully realized version. The man is a genius and gives the best interviews of any director.

[Darkside_]

It's not a remake! It's the newest adaptation of the best selling sci-fi book of all time.

[hazonku]

I actually know a guy who built some of the models in new Dune and you would not BELIEVE the amount of detail that went into some of those ships and harvesters and whatnot that are either obscured by dust or only seen ever so briefly. Thankfully we're at that point in VFX and compositing where the particle effects, the lighting, and the rendering are all finally good enough that those details do translate through. It may comes off more like a matte painting where the idea is to only give you a hint of details and your brain just fills in the rest but they are there.

[Dustz]

Dennis: "We built the box as described in the book".
The book: "green box"

[Pinkstarclan]

thank you for showing lynch's interviews instead of just blaming him for all the movie's faults. too many people are quick to blame a single person in the process (a director, an actor) for everything they hate in a bad production, when it's rarely their fault.

[aerynstormcrow]

If we are comparing Dune to Star Wars. Paul is Anakin, not Luke.

[kaiser]

I love this detailed dive. It wasn't just about the technology, it was also the technique. That's why some other old movies are still good to watch today while others are not.

[Joshua-xrux]

"get out of myyy miiinnnndddd" got me lol

[Raemnant]

I cant help but still really like Lynch's Dune, even if he himself hates it. It has so many iconic, meme-able and quotable moments

[heeroheero]

The sound of the The Voice on Youtube doesn't do it justice. In the Theater that scene (and also when it is used in Dune 2) sounds more sinister, chilling, and reverberates right into your bones. Masterclass sound editing and design.