Message-ID: <181@topaz.ARPA>
Date: Mon, 7-Jan-85 11:16:50 EST
Article-I.D.: topaz.181
Posted: Mon Jan  7 11:16:50 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 9-Jan-85 02:35:32 EST
Sender: daemon@topaz.ARPA
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
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From: Will Martin -- AMXAL-RI 

Reference the note from D. Mitchell about a 4-hour Dune:

Every now and then, film critics make reference to the vast amounts of
film that have been shot for this or that movie, and which were left
on the "cutting-room floor" to make a two-hour movie out of the total
amount shot. Examples of this seem to include "The Cotton Club", "Once
Upon A Time in America", "The Godfather", etc. Some of these get re-cut
and re-issued in the longer versions, either for TV or for theatres.

Did "Dune" fall into this category? I don't recall seeing any critic
or review mention that "n" thousand feet of film was discarded and
we have seen only some percentage of the "real" movie, but, if that
was the case, it might explain some of the problems and criticisms we
have been discussing here (and on USENET). A four-hour (or some other
long length) version might contain the missing characterization and
explanation/explication. It wouldn't correct fundamental flaws (such as
errors in characterization like Jessica's lack of strength or power),
nor factual errors (origin of the term "M'uad D'ib", etc.), but it would
have more of a chance to do better.

Of course, those who disliked the movie intensely anyway will just have
more of it to hate, but those who were ambivalent might find themselves
swayed to favor it by a more-complete version.

Maybe such a re-cutting could be achived for the videocassette release,
if it is unmarketable to release to theatres in a long version.

Will Martin

ARPA/MILNET: wmartin@almsa-1.ARPA     USENET: seismo!brl-bmd!wmartin