David Lynch's one-of-a-kind science fiction at the mercy of the Dune studio

A cult work of tenacity that incorporates the efforts of the staff.

If George Lucas' `` Star Wars '' is an orthodox science fiction work that brings excitement and emotion, this work ``Dune'' is depicted with a completely opposite interpretation. This film, which vividly depicts an oppressive political ideology surrounding the rare fragrance ``Mélange'' produced on the sand planet ``Arrakis'', has almost no mass entertainment value like ``Star Wars''. Probably. So, what makes this film so captivating is, as is clear from watching `` Eraserhead '' and `` The Elephant Man ,'' it is David Lynch's unique writing style.

This work, ``Dune,'' was unable to recover the huge production costs and, as mentioned above, incurred a loss. However, aside from that fact, this film is now revered as a cult work among movie fans. Although it is admittedly a flop at the box office, the core of this work is the efforts of many staff members.

"Dune" (C) 1984 DINO DE LAURENTIIS COMMUNICATIONS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

For example, the terrifying shape of the sand worm designed by Carlo Rambaldi, the hideous appearance of Baron Harkonnen played by Kenneth MacMillan, the desolate natural environment of the sand planet, all of which are reminiscent of Star Wars. There is no sparkle at all. David Lynch had his talent suppressed by studio-dominated filmmaking, but what still echoes on screen is something of Lynch's struggle as a director.

Although there are almost no flashy action scenes, the reason why Dune to this day is because of the spirit that director Lynch tried to maintain. I feel like it. Moreover, this spirit-like wavelength has a strange link with the science fiction worldview, resulting in the film being completed as an extremely ``foreign object'' work among science fiction films. This is also typical of Lynch's works, but I wonder if this is the reason why it is well-received for its pleasant difficulty, which is almost impossible to understand on just one viewing.

Fragments of effort echoed throughout this work can be seen in every element. For example, the designs that appear in movies are one example. The costumes of the characters that appear have an extremely sophisticated medieval European aesthetic, and yet the film also features characters that resemble unknown creatures, creating a mix of various worldviews. This work is the result of a collaboration of skills and passions by two great staff members, costume designer Bob Ringwood and visual effects artist Carlo Rambaldi, and can truly be said to be the fruit of their efforts.

"Dune" (C) 1984 DINO DE LAURENTIIS COMMUNICATIONS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The photography techniques used to capture these scenes are extremely sophisticated. The cinematographer was Freddie Francis, who collaborated with David Lynch for the second time on this film. He won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for ``Sons and Lovers'' (1960), and was praised for his highly sophisticated black-and-white camera work in ``The Elephant Man.'' Freddie Francis's cinematography is straightforward, and is characterized by his method of creating images according to theory without trying to be strange. This is still true in this work, and you will be captivated by the elegant image creation that suppresses camera motion as much as possible. ``Dune'' is an unfortunate work that has been branded as a failure. However, the staff's efforts in its production are a splendid crystallization, and it shines. It's definitely worth watching, more than enough.

<Reference>

Movie “Dune” theatrical program

"A filmmaker talks about himself: David Lynch Revised and Expanded Edition” (Film Art) Chris Rodley (author) / Akiko Hiroki, Junko Kikuchi (translator)

Text: Hayato Otsuki

Born in May 1993 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. Writer, editor. He started his writing career in 2016 and currently contributes columns, movie reviews, etc. to various media. By reading the creator's Arrival from a bird's-eye view, we incisively analyze and explain the original intention of the work. His writing publications include "THE RIVER", "IGN Japan", and "Real Sound Movie Club". My specialty is action and fantasy.

Watch now

View work information

"Dune/Sand Planet"

30th anniversary special edition Blu-ray box now on sale in Japan

Price: 7,800 yen (excluding tax)

(C) 1984 DINO DE LAURENTIIS COMMUNICATIONS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Publisher: “Sand Planet” Blu-ray Release Committee

Distributor: Happinet Media Marketing

Planning cooperation: Fieldworks