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Archive-name: sf/dune-faq/part3
Posting-Frequency: monthly Last-modified: 2001/12/06 See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge The alt.fan.dune FAQ Part 3/4 This continues the FAQ from Part 2 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1. Document information ------------------------------ 1.1 Table of Contents (The full Table of Contents is available in part 1) PART 3 6. Questions about the films 6.1 What is the movie _Dune_? 6.2 Is there more than one version of the movie? 6.3 How do I get each version of the movie? 6.4 What merchandise was produced in connection with the movie? 6.5 Has there been other attempts to film _Dune_? 6.6 What is the _Dune_ TV series? 7. Questions about sound recordings relating to Dune 7.1 Are there any Dune-related music albums? 7.2 Has Dune inspired other music? 7.3 Are there any spoken word recordings of Dune works? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 6. Questions about the films ------------------------------ 6.1 What is the movie _Dune_? _Dune_ was made into a movie of the same title, and is available on video. The movie was directed by David Lynch (of Twin Peaks and Eraserhead fame), produced by Rafaella de Laurentiis, and starred: Kyle MacLachlan (Paul Muad'Dib), Jurgen Prochnow (Leto), Sean Young (Chani), Francesca Annis (Jessica), Dean Stockwell (Dr. Yueh), Virginia Madsen (Irulan), Patrick Stewart (Gurney), Jose Ferrar (Shaddam IV), Sting (Feyd-Rautha), Max von Sydow (Liet-Kynes), and Linda Hunt (Shadout Mapes). The costumes were designed by Bob Ringwood. ------------------------------ 6.2 Is there more than one version of the movie? Yes. There are actually 3 versions of the movie. --------------- 6.2.1 Theatrical release _Dune_ had its theatrical release in 1984. Its length is 2 hours and 17 minutes. It has also been shown on the Sci-Fi channel. This version is also the standard video release. On the video release, approximately 20 minutes of footage near the end of the film has been photographically flipped, so that Paul carries his ring on his left hand etc. --------------- 6.2.2 Alan Smithee version The version which is commonly shown on television contains some scenes which were not in the movie. It is not on video cassette. It is 4 hours long with commercials, roughly 3 hours without. This version contains certain scenes that the director, David Lynch, did not want; such as a scene of Gurney playing the baliset, and a voice-over introducing some of the characters and societies. Lynch petitioned the Director's Guild to have his name removed from the credits of this version. The generic 'Alan Smithee' appears in his place. Despite this, this version is often erroneously referred to as the "director's cut". --------------- 6.2.3 KTVU version There is a third version that was cobbled together out of pieces of the above two films by KTVU. It contains no new scenes; rather it is simply a re- edit of the same material. There is also a laserdisc letterboxed edition of the movie. It contains versions 6.2.1 and 6.2.2 for a total of 320 minutes from beginning to end of the disc. It contains no new scenes that are not in 6.2.1 and 6.2.2. The laserdisc is available only as a Japanese import. Each version is subtitled in Japanese, and the theatrical release (version 6.2.1) is in a very nice widescreen format. For more information about the movie and its variants, look at the "Arrakis File" at: <http://members.aol.com/Hiphats/arrakis.html> For "behind the scenes" information and trivia on the movie, try "Dune - Behind the Scenes" at: <http://www.flg21.com/dune/> ------------------------------ 6.3 How do I get each version of the movie? Universal/MCA has re-released the theatrical version of Dune on NTSC and PAL VHS in both widescreen and Pan & Scan format. The widescreen PAL video has been deleted. The theatrical edition has also been released on laserdisc and DVD (R1 and R2). All these are in (non-anamorphic) widescreen, and of fairly high technical standard. They feature no particularly exciting extras. The Alan Smithee edition is available on R2 DVD, both in PAL and in a two-disc Japanese NTSC set. Its format is Pan & Scan, because it was originally edited for television. The Japanese import laserdisc is out of print. ------------------------------ 6.4 What merchandise was produced in connection with the movie? A large number of toys and merchandise was produced in connection with the movie. Any information beyond that listed here would be appreciated. This information is to a large degree based on a list of Dune merchandise by Josh Z. For more information and pictures of movie merchandise, go to: <http://www.arrakis.co.uk/collectorsbook.html> --------------- 6.4.1 Action figures and toys LJN Toys released a series of action figures and toys based on the movie. Paul Atreides action figure Baron Harkonnen action figure Stilgar the Fremen action figure Beast Rabban action figure Sardaukar warrior action figure Feyd-Rautha action figure Sandworm posable toy Spice Scout vehicle Motorized mini-vehicles (Sand Scouts): Sand Roller, Sand Crawler, Sand Tracker Fremen Tarpel Gun Sardaukar Laser Gun Revell also produced a Worm model, Ornithopter and Sand Crawler distinct from the LJN toys. --------------- 6.4.2 Trading cards Fleer released a set of Trading cards and stickers (with bubblegum). The cards depict scenes and characters from the movie. The complete set includes 132 cards and 44 stickers. --------------- 6.4.3 Promotional material Innumerable different posters (in different languages) for the film exist. In addition to this, there was a movie press kit given to reviewers on the release of the film, and a special copy of the Terminology of Dune handed out to audiences in some theatres. Information on further curiosa would be appreciated. It is sometimes possible to buy genuine props and costumes from the movie. Replicas of various items, especially crysknives, are also available. --------------- 6.4.4 Various items Party favors: Paper plates (7- and 9-inch) Paper napkins Party blowers Official buttons. Four different motives. View-master reels. 3 reels (21 pictures total) of 3-D pictures. --------------- 6.4.5 Things listed elsewhere For data on books dealing with the film, see subject 5.3.4 For soundtrack information, see subject 7.1.1 For information on the Parker Bros. game, see subject 8.4.2 ------------------------------ 6.5 Has there been other attempts to film _Dune_? Yes, there has been several attempts to film _Dune_. Sterling Lanier and Chilton bought the film rights for _Dune_ already in 1963. The first major attempt to bring the book to the screen started in the mid- seventies, when Michel Seydoux bought the movie rights for Alejandro Jodorowsky, director of _El Topo_ and _The Holy Mountain_. Jodorowsky signed on Jean "Moebius" Giraud, Chris Foss and H. R. Giger to do the artwork for the film, Pink Floyd to direct the music, and Orson Welles, Salvador Dali and his own son Brontis to act. The screenplay was a radical revision of Frank Herbert's story. The investors withdrew financial backing after Jodorowsky had spent millions without having started filming, and the production foundered. The story, images and concepts of the film later resurfaced in work by Jodorowsky, Moebius, Foss and Giger. Jodorowsky's thoughts on the project can be read at: <http://www.hotweird.com/jodorowsky/dunestory.html> Dino de Laurentiis picked up the rights to _Dune_ after the failure of Jodorowsky. Frank Herbert insisted on being admitted as script consultant. Several versions of the movie were proposed before Lynch was hired as director, including an attempt by Ridley Scott (director of _Alien_ and later _Blade Runner_ and _Thelma & Louise_), whose concept was rejected because of its high budget. Finally, David Lynch directed the film that reached cinemas. ------------------------------ 6.6 What is the _Dune_ TV series? In 1998, the Sci-Fi channel commissioned a _Dune_ television mini series to be produced by New Amsterdam Entertainment, Betafilm and Tandem Communications. The series was written and directed by John Harrison. Principal photography started in Prague in November 1999, and the three episodes of the series aired on the US Sci-Fi Channel on December 3.-5. 2000. The series has been released on both American NTSC VHS and R1 DVD, and European PAL VHS and R2 DVD. Additional scenes (considered too controversial for American television) are included in European broadcasts and releases. The Sci-Fi Channel have commissioned a second series, based on _Dune Messiah_ and _Children of Dune_. The working title of this series is "Children of Dune", and the script by John Harrison (who will most likely again direct) has been completed. This series will air in 2002 or 2003. The series was written and directed by John Harrison, with Vittorio Storaro as cinematographer, Miljen "Kreka" Klakovic as production designer and Theodor Pistek as costume designer. Executive producers were Richard P. Rubinstein and Mitchell Galin. The series starred: Alec Newman (Paul Atreides), William Hurt (Leto), Barbara Kodetova (Chani), Saskia Reeves (Jessica), Giancarlo Giannini (Shaddam IV), Julie Cox(Irulan), Ian McNeice (Baron Harkonnen) and Matt Keeslar (Feyd-Rautha). For more information, check out the official website: <http://www.scifi.com/dune/> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 7. Questions about sound recordings relating to Dune ------------------------------ 7.1 Are there any Dune-related music albums? --------------- 7.1.1 Movie Soundtrack There are two main versions of the soundtrack to the movie. The original soundtrack ("Dune: Original Soundtrack Recording") has been released multiple times (on LP, cassette and CD) by Polydor, and can currently be bought on import. Production # 422 823 770-2. In 1997, P.E.G. Recordings released a digitally remastered version of the soundtrack, called "Dune: Original Motion Picture Score." It is often referred to as the David Paich version of the soundtrack. It contains many new tracks, but does not include Brian Eno's Prophecy Theme. The dialogue present in the original release has been removed here (hence its title "motion picture score" rather than "soundtrack"). This CD is no longer in production, and can be hard to find. Production # PEG 015. For track listing and purchasing information, see: <http://www.fremen.org/collectibles/soundtrack.html> For more information, see: <http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/dune.html> --------------- 7.1.2 Mini Series Soundtrack Graeme Revell's soundtrack score to the mini series is released by GNP Crescendo Records. It can be bought (only) over their website: <http://gnpcrescendo.com/ > --------------- 7.1.3 Exxos "Dune: a Spice Opera" Exxos (an alternative company name for Cryo Interactive) made a soundtrack to their Dune I computer game. Of the thirteen tracks on the album, eight appeared in the game (one tune from the game did not make it to the soundtrack. The tune is the seventh to be played if you put the game music in CD mode, and is unofficially known as "Bagdad"). One track appears in two mixes (Dune Theme/Dune Variation). The music for the game was composed by Stéphane Picq; he and Stephen Ulrich made the soundtrack. "Dune: a Spice Opera" by Exxos (Cryo Interactive). Published by Virgin Records Ltd. CDVE 911. The CD went out of production in 1994, and is very hard to find. MP3 files of the music are floating around on the Internet, but be aware that these are illegal. If you would like this soundtrack, please ask Virgin to reprint it. You can also write to: EXXOS: CRYO Interactive, Exxos, 43, Rue de Richelieu, 75001, PARIS, FRANCE. Track list: -Spice Opera (4:54) -Emotion Control (4:26) -Ecolove (5:07) -Water (3:12) -Revelation (6:07) -Free Men (6:32) -Wake Up (5:51) -Dune Theme (5:14) -Chani's Eyes (5:06) -Sign of the Worm (3:51) -Too (4:33) -Dune Variation (6:28) -Cryogenia (4:46) The music is very good, with an Arabient techno ambiance that captures the Dune mood perfectly. For more information, check out Stéphane Picq's homepage: <http://www.multimania.com/esteban/english/index.shtml> ...and this fan site: <http://www.terravista.pt/Nazare/4347/dune.html> --------------- 7.1.4 Emperor: Battle for Dune Soundtrack This CD with 13 track of music from Westwood's latest Dune game is only available for those who order a special edition of the game through Electronic Art's (EA) US online store. Frank Klepacki (who composed the music for Dune II and Dune 2000) composed the Atreides part of the soundtrack, while David Arkenstone and Jarrid Mendelson did the Harkonnen and Ordos parts, respectively. Track list: -The War Begins (4:33) (Atreides) -The Machine (4:50) (Harkonnen) -Not an Option (3:52) (Ordos) -Unstoppable (5:50) (Harkonnen) -Ride the Worm (5:36) (Atreides) -Sabotage (4:19) (Ordos) -Harkonnen Force (5:29) (Harkonnen) -Assembling the Troops (7:42) (Atreides) -Ghola (3:48) (Ordos) -Legacy (6:14) (Harkonnen) -The Specimen (5:06) (Ordos) -The Spice Must Flow (4:47) (Atreides) -Tribute to Evil (6:21) (Harkonnen) Buy it from EA's website: <http://www.ea.com/> --------------- 7.1.5 "Chronolyse" Richard Pinhas from the band Heldon released Chronolyse in 1978, having recorded it in 1976. He calls it: "Imaginary music for the book of Frank Herbert, _Dune_." "Chronolyse" by Richard Pinhas. Cobra 1978. COB 37.015 Track list: Variations sur le thème de Bene Gesserit: -Variation I (2:22) -Variation II (2:15) -Variation III (1:36) -Variation IV (1:44) -Variation V (1:35) -Variation VI (2:05) -Variation VII (4:33) -Duncan Idaho (6:12) -Paul Atreides (30:23) --------------- 7.1.6 Klaus Schulze's "Dune" German electronica composer Klaus Schulze made an album inspired by Frank Herbert's novel in 1979. It is available on CD as a foreign import. "Dune" by Klaus Schulze. Metronome GmbH 1979 Track list: -Dune (30:06) -Shadows of Ignorance (26:15) The first track is instrumental, while the second has singing (in English) by one Arthur Brown. The lyrics don't seem to have any connection to Dune. Schulze's "X" album contains a track called "Frank Herbert". --------------- 7.1.7 David Matthews' "Dune" David Matthews (not the Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band) arranged a Dune album in 1977. One side of the LP (there is no known CD release, only stereo 8 track and cassette) contains Dune-related material, the other various science-fiction material. Another of Matthews' albums also contains a tribute to Frank Herbert. "Dune" by David Matthews. CTI Records: A Division of Creed Taylor, Inc. 1977 Track list: Side 1-Dune -Part I Arrakis (6:03) -Part II Sandworms (5:03) -Part III Song of the Bene Gesserit (2:50) -Part IV Muad'Dib (6:36) Side 2 -Space Oddity (6:05) -Silent Running (3:16) -Princess Leia's Theme (from Star Wars) (2:55) -Main Theme from Star Wars (3:22) The music is some kind of disco-jazz, with lyrics only on David Bowie's Space Oddity (not sung by Bowie, though). Side 2 is generally the more enjoyable, because of its unusual versions of well-known songs. --------------- 7.1.8 "Eros" The French band Dün released this album independently in 1981. In 1999 it was re-released on CD by the Soleil label. "Eros" by Dün. Soleil Atreides 1999. Track list: L'epice 9:25 (J. Geerhaerts) Arrakis 9:36 (P. Vandenbulcke) Bitonio 7:09 (P. Vandenbulcke) Eros 10:17 (J. Geerhaerts) * Bitonio 10:20 (P. Vandenbulcke) ** Arrakis 5:07 (P. Vandenbulcke) ** Eros 7:11 (J. Geerhaerts) *** Acoustic Fremen 6:17 (J. Geerhaerts, P. Vandenbulcke, P. Portejoie) * Bonus track, recorded 1979 ** Bonus tracks, recorded 1978 *** Bonus track, recorded 1978 --------------- 7.1.9 "Parallel Galaxy" Emmett Chapman, inventor of the Chapman stick, released a solo album called Parallel Galaxy in 1985. A track from this album (Backyard)appears on the Alan Smithee cut of Dune as Gurney plays the baliset (in reality a thinly disguised Chapman stick). "Parallel Galaxy" by Emmett Chapman. Stick Enterprises 1985. For more information, refer to the official web site: <http://www.stick.com/> ------------------------------ 7.2 Has Dune inspired other music? Yes, Dune has inspired many other bands and artists. However, the Dune connection is often tenuous, limited to a few samples from the movie, for instance. Band: Altar of Sacrifice Genre: Hardcore Dune connection: Movie sample in "Mind in Motion" On album: Mind in Motion single Band: Arrakis Genre: Techno Dune connection: Band name, movie sample in "The Spice" On album: The Spice Band: Astral Projection Genre: Trance Dune connection: Movie sample in "Dancing Galaxy" and others On album: Dancing Galaxy; No One Ever Dreams Band: Blind Guardian Genre: Hard rock Dune connection: "Traveller in time" inspired by Dune On album: Tales from the Twilight World Band: Die Fantastischen Vier Genre: Hip-hop Dune connection: Movie samples and lyrics in "Der Krieger" On album: Lauschgift Band: Dune Genre: Techno Dune connection: Band name (from movie), movie samples On album: Dune Band: Dynamix II Genre: Electronica Dune connection: Movie sample in "Get out of my mind" On album: Machine Language Band: Eon Genre: Techno Dune connection: Track names, movie samples On album: Void Dweller Artist: Fatboy Slim Genre: Techno Dune connection: Lyrics in "Weapon of Choice" On album: Halfway between the Gutter and the Stars Artist: Fear Factory Genre: Industrial Dune connection: Album Title On album: Fear is the Mindkiller EP Band: Iron Maiden Genre: Hard rock Dune connection: "To Tame a Land" lyrics inspired by Dune (novel) On album: Piece of Mind Anecdote: Approached FH about making Dune music, but were turned down as "Frank Herbert doesn't like rock music. Especially not hard rock. And especially not Iron Maiden." Band: Jamiroquai Genre: Trip hop/Acid Jazz Dune connection: Song title "Travelling without Moving" On album: Travelling without Moving Band: Juno Reactor Genre: Trance Dune connection: Movie sample in "Rotorblade" On album: Beyond the Infinite Band: Kwisatz Haderach Genre: Hard-core Dune connection: Band name Band: Manufacture Genre: Industrial Dune connection: Movie samples, track "Pain amplifier" Artist: Pablo Gargano Genre: Hardhouse/techno Dune connection: Movie samples, track "The secret spice" Band: Shai Hulud Genre: Hard-core Dune connection: Band name, artist name (Muad'Dib), movie samples Band: Stillsuit Genre: Hard-core Dune connection: Band name Artist: Tom Smith Genre: Comedy Dune connection: Track "Crystal Gale killed Frank Herbert" On album: Who let him in here? Lyrics online at <http://www.tomsmithonline.com/lyrics/crystalgayle.htm> Artist: Trey Gunn Dune connection: Track "Arrakis" On album: The Third Star Can be ordered online at: <http://www.disciplineglobalmobile.com/cat/9606cat.shtml> Further music inspired by Dune would be appreciated. --------------- 7.2.1 By fans Many fans have become inspired by _Dune_ to create music. This section is heavily under construction. - In 1998, "SSM" posted links to MIDI and MP3 files of a melody composed by his brother called "Gurney's song" (the one that begins "Orchards and vineyards") to alt.fan.dune. There's no known current source for these files. - In January 2001, Alexander Johannesen posted a link to an MP3 of a track he had made called "Dunish", featuring samples from the movie. There is no known current source for this file. - In 2001, Giovanni Wassen posted links to several Dune-inspired tracks he had made. They are available on his website: <http://www.nmmusic.nl/dunesaga.html> ------------------------------ 7.3 Are there any spoken word recordings of Dune works? Yes. Unabridged recordings of several books in the Dune Chronicles have been published. Also available on audio are excerpts read by the author, as well as interviews with Frank Herbert. --------------- 7.3.1 The Dune Audio Collection This is a compilation of four mono cassettes, previously released separately as "Sandworms of Dune", "Dune - The Banquet Scene", "Battles of Dune" and "Truths of Dune." Recorded in 1977-79, they contain excerpts from the first three books, melded with connective text written by Frank Herbert. They are all read by the author. The description states that the Audio Collection is a "selection" of the four recordings, it is unknown whether it includes all the material from them. Certainly it is missing the extensive liner notes written by Frank Herbert. _Sandworms of Dune_, Frank Herbert, Caedmon (p1978). One 2-track mono cassette. 41 minutes. #TC 1565, CDL 51565 _Dune: The Banquet Scene_, Frank Herbert, (1977). Mono LP, cassette. 54 minutes. #TC 1555, CP 1555 _The Battles of Dune_, Frank Herbert, Caedmon, Harper Classics (1979, 1994). Mono LP, cassette. 62 minutes. #TC 1601, CDL 51601 _Truths of Dune: Fear is the Mind Killer_, Frank Herbert, Caedmon (1979). Mono LP, cassette. 45 minutes. #TC 1616, CDL 51616 _The Dune Audio Collection_, Frank Herbert. Containing selections of the four above. Caedmon: An Imprint of Harper Audio (1994). ISBN: 1-55994-957-0. --------------- 7.3.2 The Dune Chronicles _Dune_, Frank Herbert (read by George Guidall). Complete and unabridged. Isis Audio Books (a division of Isis Publishing Ltd.). ISBN: 1-85695-896-5 _Dune_, Frank Herbert (read by Connor O'Brien). Complete and unabridged. Books on Tape, Inc. (1997). ISBN: 073663763X _Dune Messiah_, Frank Herbert (read by Connor O'Brien). Complete and unabridged. Books on Tape, Inc. (1997). ISBN: 0736640185 _Children of Dune_, Frank Herbert (read by Connor O'Brien). Complete and unabridged. Books on Tape, Inc. (1997). ISBN: 0736640193 _God Emperor of Dune_, Frank Herbert (read by Connor O'Brien). Complete and unabridged. Books on Tape, Inc. (1998). ISBN: 0736644229 Note that the above books read by Connor O'Brien are available through Barnes & Noble. _God Emperor of Dune_, Frank Herbert. Cassette. Approx. 60 minutes. Excerpts read by the author. Harper Classics (1994, c1982). #TC 1694 _Heretics of Dune_, Frank Herbert. Cassette. 47 minutes. First two chapters read by the author. Harper Classics (1994, c1984). #TC 1742 --------------- 7.3.3 Interviews. "DUNE: a Recorded Interview". Author FRANK HERBERT and film director DAVID LYNCH discussing the making of "DUNE", the motion picture; followed by Frank Herbert's dialogue on beliefs, values and his writing. Printed as a Waldentapes Special Edition. ISBN 0-681-30895-8. According to Kevin Buchli it's a "$6.95 value priced at $2.95". -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The FAQ concludes in Part 4 Bye! Gunnar Harboe dunefaq@email.com ___ "Ultimately, all things are known because you want to believe you know." Frank Herbert User Contributions: |
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