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Dune

Play trailer 3:08 Poster for Dune PG-13 1984 2h 17m Sci-Fi Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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36% Tomatometer 117 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
The long-awaited film version of Frank Herbert's classic science fiction epic, Dune, explodes on the screen with dazzling special effects, unforgettable images, and powerful performances. The saga of intergalactic warrior Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan) and his messianic rise to leadership features an all-star cast, including Jose Ferrer, Max Von Sydow, Oscar® winner Linda Hunt and rock legend, Sting. This monumental Dino DeLaurentiis presentation is directed by David Lynch (The Elephant Man, Eraserhead), with photography by Academy Award® winner Freddie Francis, music by Grammy® winner Toto, and incredible monster creation by E.T.'s Carlo Rambaldi. Visit an unbelievable world beyond time and space and experience the ultimate adventure that goes beyond the imagination.

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Dune

Dune

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Critics Consensus

This truncated adaptation of Frank Herbert's sci-fi masterwork is too dry to work as grand entertainment, but David Lynch's flair for the surreal gives Dune some spice.

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Critics Reviews

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Jay Scott Globe and Mail Oct 8
Never in Dune does Lynch encourage the audience to identify with the characters. Go to Full Review Harper Barnes St. Louis Post-Dispatch 02/15/2024
The special effects are mediocre -- the miniatures look like miniatures, the sets look like sets, the matte paintings look like matte painting. And even the much dreaded sand worms are about as scary as Missouri night crawlers. Go to Full Review Desmond Ryan Philadelphia Inquirer 02/14/2024
Lynch's screenplay has all the vivacity of a Gregorian chant. Although his direction of individual scenes is inspired, Lynch the writer sabotages Lynch the filmmaker. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 2d
1.5/4
As with many things lousy, this acquired a cult following over the years, but it’s hardly worthy. Go to Full Review Mike Studley Liverpool Echo Dec 8
A commendable attempt by director David Lynch. He has managed in the main to successfully condense Herbert's saga. Go to Full Review Jack Garner Rochester Democrat and Chronicle 02/16/2024
3/5
Ultimately, Dune is a most magnificent flying machine that can't quite get off the ground. But even if it can't fly, it's certainly impressive to look at on the runway. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ed 09/24/2024 Well done, but read the books first See more Lisa M 03/04/2024 One of my all time favorite films!!! See more April R 02/21/2024 It is a flawed masterpiece. But seeing in cinema was a mind bending experience!! See more Bruce T. @Trox56 9h Absolutely great for the '80's. See more Haze S @Daf666 Mar 7 I only recently read the first three books in the series. Then I decided to finally watch this movie. I would generally call myself a fan of David Lynch, but I think this is the weakest of his films I have seen so far. It's just really not a very good film. If you haven't read at least the first book, you'll be completely lost. The characterizations were overplayed, done to excess, perhaps intentionally, but they felt forced, especially Rabban and Baron Harkonnen, I get that a bit of it is Lynch's style, but it felt like it was too much. The effects were a bit of an overreach for 1984. And that leads to my last criticism of this movie, in that it TRIED to do so much, but it was limited by the technology of the time. No fault there. But it's clearly a movie of its time... Just not a very good one. See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Jan 17 Dune (1984) is a film that has gained cult status over time, but revisiting it now makes its flaws impossible to ignore. After seeing Denis Villeneuve’s modern adaptation, this version feels chaotic, confusing, and painfully dated. The storytelling lacks clarity, the pacing is erratic, and the narrative never fully connects in a meaningful way. Instead of immersing you in its world, the film constantly pulls you out with awkward exposition and bizarre creative choices. Even allowing for the limitations of its era, the effects and presentation feel fake and unconvincing, making the experience even harder to sit through today. While some appreciate it for its strangeness or nostalgia, the film comes across as a disorganized mess that struggles to communicate its own ideas. It’s not engaging, not accessible, and ultimately not recommendable unless you’re purely curious about its cult reputation. See more Read all reviews
Dune

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Cast & Crew

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David Lynch

Director

Kyle MacLachlan

Paul Atreides

Sting

Feyd-Rautha

Francesca Annis

Lady Jessica

Leonardo Cimino

The Baron's Doctor

Brad Dourif

Piter DeVries

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Dune

Dune: Trailer 1 Dune: Trailer 1 3:08 View more videos
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Dune

Space transports. Paul and Chani. Firing on a worm. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The long-awaited film version of Frank Herbert's classic science fiction epic, Dune, explodes on the screen with dazzling special effects, unforgettable images, and powerful performances. The saga of intergalactic warrior Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan) and his messianic rise to leadership features an all-star cast, including Jose Ferrer, Max Von Sydow, Oscar® winner Linda Hunt and rock legend, Sting. This monumental Dino DeLaurentiis presentation is directed by David Lynch (The Elephant Man, Eraserhead), with photography by Academy Award® winner Freddie Francis, music by Grammy® winner Toto, and incredible monster creation by E.T.'s Carlo Rambaldi. Visit an unbelievable world beyond time and space and experience the ultimate adventure that goes beyond the imagination.
Director
David Lynch
Producer
Raffaella De Laurentiis
Screenwriter
Frank Herbert
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Estudios Churubusco Azteca S.A., DeLaurentiis Productions
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Sci-Fi, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 14, 1984, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Feb 18, 2024
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 1, 2014
Runtime
2h 17m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Surround, Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1), 70mm
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