The Halls of Arrakeen - The Official D U N E and Frank Herbert discussion thread

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A beginning is a very delicate time.

Know then that it is the year 10,191. The Known Universe is ruled by the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV, my father.

In this time, the most precious substance in the universe is the spice melange. The spice extends life. The spice expands conciousness. The spice is vital to space travel.

The Spacing Guild and its navigators, who the spice has mutated over four thousand years, use the orange spice gas, which gives them the ability to fold space. That is, travel to any part of the universe without moving.

Oh yes, I forgot to tell you...The spice exists on only one planet in the entire universe. A desolate, dry planet with vast deserts. Hidden away within the rocks of these deserts are a people known as the Fremen, who have long held a prophecy, that a man would come, a Messiah, who would lead them to true freedom.

The planet is Arrakis. Also known as...
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- Princess Irulan

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This is the official thread for all works related to the Dune franchise ( books, movies, games ) as well as the other literary works of Frank Herbert.

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Dune was released in the mid-60's to critical acclaim and a devoted cult following. Herbert continued the saga in five other novels, each one continuing the epic tale of politics, economics, ecology and religion, all within a realistic, rich and detailed science-fiction setting. These novels were Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God-Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse : Dune, collectively known as the Dune Chronicles. Sadly, Herbert passed away shortly after the release of Chapterhouse : Dune.

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Thankfully, the Dune franchise has been extended into other works. A film was released in 1984, based on the book, directed by David Lynch, starring Kyle McLachlan as Paul Atreides and Sting as Feyd.

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However, the movie was not a huge success and many Dune fans were displeased with the artistic differences between the novel and film. Not only that, but the movie was poorly edited, with other variations ( some good, some bad ) appearing later, most notably the "Alan Smithee" version, usually aired on the Sci-Fi Channel, and a made-for-TV version that uses elements of both the theatrical and director's cuts. A fourth variation, found on Japanese laserdisk, is said to comprise of material from all previous editions, but is quite hard to find.

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The movie's soundtrack was written and performed by Toto. Despite the apparent chessiness of that statement, one can truly only appreciate it until they hear the music, which is all instrumental, with long and beautiful orchestral passages.

Dune was also a hit on the videogame market with Westwood Studios, which saw the release of Dune and Dune II - The Battle for Arrakis in the early 90's.

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The games were continued later with Dune 2000 and Emperor - Battle for Dune. An online RPG game, titled Dune Generations, is due for release in 2002. ( See Dune FAQ link below for more information. )

In 2000, the original Dune story was revisited in movie form for a Sci-Fi Channel mini-series, done in three sections. Alec Newman starred as Paul Atreides, with William Hurt playing the role of Duke Leto. This version was much closer to the novel and contains wonderful special effects and music...Probably the most def

 

If it says anything other than 'Frank Herbert' on the cover, it ain't a Dune book.

 

Harsh.

 

I actually enjoyed the first two prequel books and I'm usually really critical of EU books. I saw that the new one is coming soon about the Bhutlerian(sp) Jihad so I'll be into that at some stage.

The originals are where its at but the prequels have given the series a continued life, sure its a cash in but so is a large percentage of stuff these days.

I reall enjoyed how some of the blanks were filled in, for example why Jessica choose to disobey the Bene Gesserit and give the Duke a son.

It was good to get stories with Gurney Halleck as well. He was a character I always liked who seemed to have a more interesting backstory than the supporting role he played in Herbert's novels.

 

I have the main set of books by Frank Herbert. I also have the original Dune and the Sci-Fi Channel remake of Dune on DVD. The remake was clearly an upgrade from the original movie. A lot more of the story was explained and the effects were a whole lot better.

I haven't invested in the Prequels yet. It would be nice to read the stories that happened before the time of the Dune movie. The problem I have is that I've heard the prequel books contradict the movies and books by Frank Herbert. Maybe someone can enlighten me on whether or not this is true.

 

I have to admit that I haven't read all the original Dune books. I've read the original every year since 1980, so I know that one really well.

What's cool about that first book is the fact that it has so many levels to it in so few pages. Herbert manages to discuss Jungian theory, Darwinian theory, ecological theory, social theory, nature vs. nurture, Middle East politics, feminism, Islamic mythology, theology, mysticism, etc. in one relatively small volume. Written at the time preceeding the social revolutions of the 60's, Herbert includes all of the issues that would be discussed and fought for within western society. Dune is just an incredible work.

Having said this, I disliked the 2000 Dune mini-series. There was just too much liberty taken with dialogue and I didn't like the look of it compared to the David Lynch version. Casting was not good and the music lacked what the theatrical version had. No, the theatrical version didn't pull it off either, but with Herbert as a consultant, the look, casting and FEEL of the original just blows away the mini-Dune, even with the Lynch versions ridiculous portrayal of Baron Harkonnen, the stupid "wierding modules" and the lame ending. I didn't expect the movie(s) to live up to the book, but I feel that the hard task of translating a book to the screen is to capture as many of the themes and as much of the original dialogue as possible.

Okay, I've gone on long enough for one post.

 

I have read the first prequel, Dune, and Dune Messiah.

I thought they were all pretty good.

I also think the original movie was much better because it did give you a great look for the book, but unless you had read the book, it probably wasn't that good of a movie.

The mini series had some good action, but not much else. I think they should combine them and make them a decent movie.

 

Nice.

Uhhh, do I have a place in this thread, hey...??

But, yeah, it's terrific to have an "official" Dune discussion group in here, particularly one started by a Mod. Sturm, you know I'm pointing in your general direction, here. Yeah, that's right. You heard me. (As long as it doesn't become "Sturm's Sexy and Sinful Sietch Tabr Spice Beer Grotto," right?)

To help in the christening of this new thread -- and to get everyone's appetites further whetted for what is to come -- I shall do my part for the Fish Speaker legions (hey, wait...we do have some Fish Speaker legions around here, don't we? If not, why??? As God Emperor, I demand some for my retinue, bloody dammit! And we all love the ladies, around here, am I right...?? ) -- by posting the "official" cast-listing of the Sci-Fi Channel's upcoming Children of Dune mini-series.

Here 'tis:

Dune Sequel Cast Unveiled

Susan Sarandon will headline the cast of the SCI FI Channel's upcoming miniseries sequel Frank Herbert's Children of Dune, based on Dune Messiah and Children of Dune, the second and third novels in Herbert's six-volume saga. Sarandon will play Wensicia, a ruthless princess eager to restore her deposed family to the throne, in the six-hour miniseries, which is the sequel to last year's Frank Herbert's Dune.

Other cast includes returning players Julie Cox as Princess Irulan, Barbara Kodetova as Chani, Ian McNeice as Baron Harkonnen, P.H. Moriarty as Gurney Halleck and Alec Newman as Paul Atreides. New additions include Alice Krige (Star Trek: First Contact) as Lady Jessica, Edward Atterton as Duncan Idaho, Steven Berkoff as Stilgar, Jessica Brooks as Ghanima, Daniela Lunkewitz as Alia and James McAvoy as Leto II.

Gotta love that last one.

 

When does this new miniseries start? I don't want to miss it.

 

It's being filmed right this very moment, and it'll hit the Sci-Fi Channel next year, 2003. An exact date (month/day) hasn't been set yet, but it'll probably come real soon, given that the very first promo for Children of Dune in fact aired last summer, during the June, 2001 re-broadcast of the first mini-series. And it was pretty nice, as brief as it was.

Plus, they'll be promoing the hell out of it, with Susan Sarandon headlining the cast, so you won't miss it.

 

Thanks for the information.

I'm always game for watching a Dune movie or miniseries.

 

I always thought this chick was a total hottie!

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~PAd

 

I totally agree.

 

She has a name. It's Virgina Madsen. Censored

EDIT: Too much info!

 

Dune was awesome. Never read the sequels. The first prequel was godawful. The movie was godawful, although Virginia Madsen is a pretty good-looking woman. She was also in The-Sequel-To-Highlander-Which-Is-So-Bad-It-Must-Not-Be-Named, and in Candyman. The TV movie was halfway decent, although they screwed up the sound pretty badly. And in the director's cut, Chani has some pretty nice breasts in that version, too.

 

I'd heartily recommend God Emperor of Dune as probably the best sequel after the original, although you might wanna at least skim the two preceding books to gain an idea of the backstory behind the tale. But it's actually the deepest book in the entire series, and whatever type of Lebanese Blond Hash Herbert was smoking when he wrote it, I'd like some of it...

 

I'll have to make sure I check that book out. I haven't read any after the first one. I really need to start the series over and completely read through it.

 

You know what I said earlier about re-reading the previous two books? Forget I said it. (Unless, that is, you've never perused them beforehand...in which case, you should. If you'd like to leap ahead, you won't have too many troubles.) The reason I say this is because God Emperor skips ahead about 3,500 years, and most of the backstory is revealed in dialogue flashbacks -- and believe you me, there are MANY of them.

So, it's separated by enough of a gulf in time that is really isn't wholly dependant upon what happened in Children of Dune, although you'll be missing out on a ripping-good yarn if you bypass it.

 

check out the cast members of the "children of dune" miniseries!

here

 

I found God Emperor to be the most difficult read of the bunch.

 

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Leto II

Oh yeah, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout, man...

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Princess Irulan

Oh, and she's not too bad, either...

 

I have the DVD of the Sci-Fi miniseries... It's pretty excellent. The only complaint I have is of the backdrops.

The David Lynch version is horribly edited... but I did prefer Patrick Stewart's Gurney Halleck over the namby-pamby guy in the miniseries. Princess Irulan *drool*, Chani *drool*... ok anyway.


The story reminds me very much of elements of Peter Brook's film adaptation of The Mahabharata, the epic poem of Hindu scripture that is at the epicenter of modern Hindu philosophy... including the last segment of the Mahabharata... The Bhagavad-Gita. The similarities aren't surprising... as Herbert, if I remember correctly, made his characters the interstellar nomadic descendants of Islamic Middle Easterners... geographically and culturally close in relation to Hindus. Cinematography is great, the effects are not, but if you ever get a chance to find it, watch Brook's Mahabharata and see if you think it's similar to Dune in any respects.

Rumor has it there's an Indian producer teaming up with an American studio to do it proper justice in a cinematic trilogy.

 

I've only read the first two Dune books. Enjoyed them. Can someone tell me a little about the books that followed and recommedations on which ones should be put on my "to get to" list and which one's, if any, I should not bother with? I have them all because my brother is always giving me books, but I also have a large stack of stuff I want to read and I need to set some priorities.

 

Mariah, the books are (in order):

Dune
Dune Messiah
Children of Dune
God Emperor of Dune
Heretics of Dune
Chapterhouse: Dune

 

I too really enjoyed the Sci Fi mini. It was what got me to read the novel. I thought both were similar in both story and overall tone. It was only after that that I saw the theatrical Dune and hated it. My friend who loved the original hated the mini.

I guess its all relative.

My one complaint about the novel is that you had to use the glossary for it. I guess thats real hard core sci-fi but I kinda thought it was a pain in the butt.

My one complaint about the up coming mini. They got a new Chani

I liked the old one
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