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Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, ‘Dune’, is often named as the grandest work of science fiction. Some readers and critics think otherwise. ‘Dune’ has inspired several film versions, and the latest – by Denis Villeneueve – is making waves. This might be a good time to revisit the ‘Dune’ debate.
Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9xhJrPXop4
It’s the story of a desert planet called Arrakis (hence the title). Its claim to fame is that it is the only source in the universe of ‘melange’, also called ‘spice’, a drug that extends life and enhances mental abilities. Space travel is impossible without the multidimensional awareness and foresight this drug gives to the user. Plants are fighting to get hold of this magic potion. The plot, loosely held by a series of episodes, is about a galactic empire, intrigue and political maneuvering, various myths (like the Coming of a Messiah) woven into it. Set in future, it is also a commentary on contemporary society: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dune_(novel)
The book has been largely hailed as a masterpiece. It won top awards and garnered ecstatic reviews. The legendary sci-fi master, Arthur C. Clarke said he knew nothing comparable to it except ‘The Lord of the Rings’ – whose author, JRR Tolkien, however, was among the minority who disliked it “with some intensity.”
Among its film versions, the 1984 one by the inimitable David Lynch is most talked about – and not for good reasons. Critics thought it was incomprehensible for those who had not read the book, and those who had read it were unhappy for taking liberties with the plot.
Villeneueve, for a change, sticks to the plot. Famed for Oscar-nominated ‘Arrival’ (2016) and ‘Blade Runner 2049’ (2017), his version has wowed critics: “absorbing, awe-inspiringly huge”, “astonishingly vivid”, “lush, lofty filmmaking wide screens were made for”, “opulent and overwhelming”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dune_(2021_film)
Bus as it sticks close to the novel, the latest film also attracts criticism for the alleged weaknesses of the original work: “runs out of storytelling steam”, “both dazzling and frustrating”, “kind of boring” – all epithets equally applicable to the text version.
>>Washington Post book critic Michael Dirda's introduction to the Dune debate:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/dune-herbert-novel-film/2021/10/21/b9288f5c-31f9-11ec-93e2-dba2c2c11851_story.html