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

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

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

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: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.

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.