Sci-fi Channel's Children of Dune

jazdogg writes "Caught the trailer last night on the Sci-fi Channel for the new Frank Herbert's Children of Dune mini-series. I only hope this series is better than the previous one." I dunno - I liked the last Dune series, and am looking forward to this one.

Comments

Last Dune Series

[txdadu]

The last Dune Series was great... sure if you had watched the Lynch movie it wasn't the same, but Paul Atreides was cast better in the series than in the movie and all in all the casting was better.

I'm looking forward to seeing this must convince the housemates to TiVo it...

Re:Last Dune Series

[RhetoricalQuestion]

I agree. I liked the last Dune mini-series, but primarily because the adaptation was more faithful and the writing itself was better. Paul was better cast (and a better actor). Leto wasn't as well cast; he didn't seem as regal as he did in the movie. I don't recall having a strong opinion on the other cast. (Though I missed seeing Patrick Stewart.)

The portrayal of the Harkonnens was also FAR better. In the mini-series, they cunning, conniving and evil. In the movie, they were just gross.

Biggest problem in the mini-series, though, were the visuals. The sets (particularly the desert) looked fake. The costuming looked cheap -- especially compared to the movie, which had great costumes.

Still, looking forward to this... when/if it comes on Space.

dune

[psyklopz]

dune was only really inspired in the first novel.

beyond that, it got tired. Herbert even has selective memory of some things... in the first novel, Paul had a son he named Leto, but his son was killed.

Afterwards, when they have the twins (children of dune), they carry on as if that first child never existed (one of the twins is even named Leto).

It seems to me that the original Dune novel was intended to stand on it's own. Herbert gave into the pressure of his publishers and screwed up an otherwise perfect and mysterious universe by putting out a series of weirder and weirder sequels.

Re:dune

[The Bungi]

I agree to a certain extent but I think that there were too many unanswered questions. For example, the background of the Honored Matres. Herbert drops precious few hints about them (the "frame bush" thing; the "weapon and charge" thing; who were the futars and why were there so few "handlers"?). Also, he suggests that Marty and Daniel (which I think were a play on his deeply cynical view of religions) are face dancers. What does that mean as far as the dynamics between the Tleilaxu and the Bene Gesserit? Why was it Idaho the only one that could see them? Did it have anything to do with his ghola condition? The only remaining Tleilaxu master had that nullentropy bin in his chest with cells from just about everyone... the implications! Also, why Sheanna as the "chosen" one specifically? I always thought it interesting that it was her and not Murbella (why stay and save the sisterhood?)

I wish he'd had time to write another 6 books!

Anyway, I could go on and on... =)

Re:dune

[chrae]

Herbert got through six of the seven. His son has the notes for the seventh, and is preparing to butcher his father's legacy as he's done six times already with those godawful prequel books.

I second that opinion. Here is Frank Herbert's words about the writing of Dune.

• It was to be a story exploring the myth of the Messiah. It was to produce another view of a human-occupied planet as an energy machine. It was to penetrate the interlocked workings of politics and economics. It was to be an examination of absolute prediction and its pitfalls. It was to have an awareness drug in it and tell what could happen through dependence on such a substance. Potable water was to be an analog for oil and for water itself, a substance whose supply dimishes each day. It was to be an ecological novel, then, with many overtones, as well as a story about people and their human concerns with human values, and I had to monitor each of these levels at every stage in the book.

Frank Herbert had researched for six years before he even began putting the Dune story together. Much effort and creativity went into it, and the results reflect it. His son, Brian Herbert and another Kevin Anderson are busy milking the Dune legacy as we speak. They have already released 3 prequels, which takes place a generation before Dune. As a standalone series, they are mediocre at best. As an addition to his father's works, they are a travisty. The first of another 3 has been published, taking thousands of years earlier, during the Bulterian Jihad which is often, but vaguely referred to throughout the Dune series. It was terrible. It was painful to read. I could only manage to read a chapter a day (which is at most, about 5 pages) after which I'd put it down in disgust and be in a foul mood for a good 2 hours. Brian and Kevin have plans, after they poop out book 2 and 3 of the Bulterian Jihad, is to write two more triligies for a total of 12 prequel books. All will be released according do when it's most profitable. After then, will he set his sights on the big mother load itself, Dune 7. The book that Frank Herbert made outlines for, but died before he could write it.

That being said, SciFi's Dune mini-series is the last hope for many Dune addicts out there. Granted, hardcore readers of the book series will have quibbles with it, but Frank Herbert admitted that film is a language different from English, while working with David Lynch on Dune, the movie. Frank said, "[David Lynch] spoke it and I was a rank beginner. To make a film, you translate, as though from English to German. Each of the world's languages contains linguistic experiences unique to it's own history. You can say things in one language you cannot say in another." I'll keep this in mind, with SciFi's upcoming effort to adapt Children of Dune to the screen.

...

Looking back on it, I realize I did the right thing instinctively. You don't write for success. That takes part of your attention away from the writing. If you're really doing it, that's all you're doing: writing.

There's an unwritten compact between you and the reader. If someone enters a bookstore and sets down hard earned money (energy) for your book, you owe that person some entertainment and as much more as you can give. That was really my intention all along.

Frank Herbert, 1920-1986

I liked the first one too.

[Beebos]

I never understood why people didn't like the Sci-Fi channel's Dune, especially since the movie was so mediocre. I liked the fact that it was more about the story than the special effects.

-

Beating a Dead Horse?

[goldspider]

Given, the books are great, but could it be that these attempts to make TV series out of Herbert's work doing more harm than good? I mean just look at what over-commercialization has done to the Star Trek franchise?

Re:Beating a Dead Horse?

[joshv]

I'm more worried about the "prequels". I hate it when someone's name gets tagged on stuff he didn't write. His son has some author write stuff, he puts his name (wich is also his father's name, duh) on it: Profit.

Except for the fact that his son is also a sci-fi author, who actually co-wrote the prequels, and the fact that the prequels, each one of them, are written better than Dune itself.

The prequels are fast paced, well written, clear, fascinating page turners that expertly illuminate the events leading up to those protrayed in the original Dune.

I read Dune long ago in my teens. My girlfriend introduced me to the prequels a few months back. I devoured all four of them - then sat down to read Dune once again. It was anti-climactic.

-josh

Dissapointed That This is Non-Theatre

[mrs clear plastic]

As I read the article, it seems to me (and please
flame/correct me if I am wrong) that this is not intended for the movie theatres, but intended for television.

I strongly feel that these type of movies should be on the big screen. Even if there is no decent plot (and I know the Dune will have a plot), magnificent scenes should be seen on a large screen in a decent, comfortable theatre.

I remember the original Dune. I loved some of the epic scens on the large screen in a decent theatre
with a good sound system. In fact, even though I am not a Dunnite and did not understand the plot, I still sat through it twice just for the scenery.

I later saw portions on a TV screen. The small screen does not do this type of movie justice. Only if someone has a decent home theatre type TV system with a dedicated room and good sound would a Dune type picture be worth putting on TV.

I really feel that these folks should release the series into theatres and then make it available via DVD/tape for the TV crowd.

I apoligize in advance if I read the article incorrectly.

Mark

hoping for better quality

[scrotch]

Hopefully in this one they can at least get the shadows of live actors consistent with the shadows painted into the sets. It was so distracting to see 2 people with their shadows on their left standing in front of "beautiful desert scenery" with shadows on the right sides of the mountains.

Re:Sci Fi channel doing more literature?

[Brave New Shill]

Here's one: The Forever War.

From Joe Haldeman's website:

http://home.earthlink.net/~haldeman/newnews.html

and IMDB:

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0315007

No

[A55M0NKEY]

The sci-fi channel can't produce anything. This CoD will suck as bad as their remake of Dune did. They should not make things, but buy them already made from other people.

For what it's worth

[IWantMoreSpamPlease]

I never read the Dune story. Doesn't interest me. I *did*, however see the Davis Lynch movie. It was fine. Some of the special effects blew, but that was to be expected. Last year I see the Dune mini-series.

Or tried to. Paul came off as a whiney spoiled brat and the costumes were *clearly* stolen from Liberace's closet.

My friend and I got about one hour into it before we'd had enough and put on something worthwhile.

No, this is not flamebait ot trolling, I'm stating a viewpoint. My viewpoint is the mini-series and I', sure the sequels aren't worth the time from a casual fan POV.

Re:Sci Fi channel doing more literature?

[adashiel]

It would be nice. A few years ago I even thought it was possible. I heard the Sci-Fi Channel obtained the rights for Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy and had high hopes for a mini-series. Now, though? We've got John Edward, the Dream Team, Scare Tactics, movies so awful they don't even have camp value, and, oh yeah, no Farscape. I shudder to think what an adaptation would be like.

I do have higher expectations for Children of Dune, though. I think the project was conceived prior to the current regime at Sci-Fi, so I'm hoping it has potential.

Re:David Lynch

[awfar]

Yes; any movie that presents a complicated storyline and environment such as Dune -and- matches it with an Epic style can be a great thing. I have not read the book(s) yet (they were very difficult read for me, to learn their vocabulary, etc.), but I have watched the lynch movie over and over again and the story line gets more complete every time. I think he did a truly good job for any movie of such depth of subject, but cannot judge accuracy from Herbert's perspective.

Re:Sci Fi channel doing more literature?

[delus10n0]

Naw, SciFi Channel is too busy cancelling excellent shows like Farscape, considering cancelling Stargate SG-1, and making wonderful films like Antibody...

Ok, so "Taken" wasn't that bad, but it wasn't really a SciFi Channel-only endeavor.

Re:I'll use small, easily understood words

[TheRaven64]

You probably like ... Anne McCaffrey novels.
Actually, I do. They're entertaining. I would not even dream of putting them in the same category as Dune though. I have read Dune and Children of Dune about 20 times (the others in the series less so). I can't off hand think of any other book I've read more than three or four times, they really are outstanding. On the other hand I can't even bring myself to read the Prelude series a second time, and the Butlerian Jihad has convinced me I can spare myself additional pain by not buying any more of them. They have Kevin J. Anderson's trademark style:

1. Set the scene
2. Go on about the scene a bit more
3. Add some gratuitous action which moves the characters a lot without actually moving the plot anywhere
4. Get bored and fill in the end with meaningless drivel

The only one of his books I would consider recommending is Blindfold (which steals most of it's best parts from Dune).

The Butlerian Jihad is really not worth the paper it's printed on. It's second rate space opera, nothing more, where the original books were a rich tapestry of conflicting emotional, personal, religious and ploitical agendas all woven together into a cohesive whole. If you couldn't follow the plot then I suggest you stick to books with big text, adn brightly coloured pictures. If you want space opera, I'd recommend E. E. 'Doc' Smith's books, but don't expect great literature.

wrong expectations

[Xtifr]

Geeze, we're talking about a low-budget production by a basic-cable channel. If you were expecting a special-effects extravaganza, then you were obviously going in with a complete lack of clue. Hell, I was impressed by the mere fact that they tried to show sandworms! :)

What I was hoping for (and what I got) from the SciFi Channel version was focus on the story. The Lynch version was incoherent and confusing, and all the fancy FX merely distracted from and obscured what little bits of the story he had left in. If I want fancy FX, I'll go watch the latest Lucas potboiler. But in general, I'd rather have unconvincing backdrops and a good script than the most realistic computer-generated Jar-Jar. :)

Re:sure they are

[forkboy]

Stephen King's "IT" was just on the other day. What a great flick!

If you read IT prior to seeing the movie, you'd have a different opinion. IT is probably the only Stephen King book that actually scared me (not that some of his others aren't good, they're just not as spooky) hell, it's the only BOOK that's ever scared me. Granted I was 15 when I read it, but still.

Having read the book, the movie paled in comparison. So much detail was left out, interactions between the protagonists as children and things that happened to them were much more detailed and set the stage quite well for the later reckoning.

I'd go the other route for Dune though...much like Tolkien's novels, Dune was a collection of fascinating, unique, and pioneering ideas written by someone who's basically a big blowhard. Dune and the Lord of the Rings read like textbooks to me. The information, while new and useful, was not presented in an exciting context. The Silmarillion was even worse, it was about as amusing as reading the Bible.

Good thing Herbert's kid can write. Too bad Tolkien's kid can't.