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From: alien@gcc-opus.ARPA (Alien Wells)
Newsgroups: net.movies
Subject: Dune - spoiler
Message-ID: <176@gcc-opus.ARPA>
Date: Thu, 27-Dec-84 12:42:40 EST
Article-I.D.: gcc-opus.176
Posted: Thu Dec 27 12:42:40 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 29-Dec-84 03:04:28 EST
References: <232@looking.UUCP> <19800004@rna.UUCP>
Reply-To: alien@gcc-opus.UUCP (Alien Wells)
Organization: General Computer Company, Cambridge Ma (creators of Ms. Pacman)
Lines: 51
Summary: 

When I went to see Dune I wasn't expecting much.  I had read the press and
gotten personal reviews from friends.  I expected cameo appearances, choppy
plot, a loss of most of the intricacies of the book.  After all, it would
clearly take at least a 4 hour movie to do justice to the book.

What I was NOT expecting was the CHANGES from the book.

The emperor was setting up the House Atreides because of a SECRET WEAPON they
were developing?  The Baron Harkonnen turned from a suave, sohpisticated, 
intelligent yet evil plotter into a bumbling, disease ridden idiot?  And where
did those HEART PLUGS the Baron was so fond of come from?  And why were the
Sardaukar breathing green gas?  And why were they so incompetant?

To me, the major theme of Dune was that adversity breeds strength.  The emperor
was in power because of his Sardaukar, raised on the inhospitable prison planet
of Salsa Secunda.  Paul is able to lead the Fremen to victory because they were
even better fighters raised in an even worse environment.

Is any of this in the movie?  Is any of the subtle interplay of people and
forces apparent?  No, what we have is a heroic young man escaping evil nasties,
drinking magic water to become superman, handing out secret super weapons to
his bumbling fremen friends (who showed no fighting talent whatsoever), then
destroying the evil Imperial forces by calling them names without losing a
single man!  Of course, he gets the girl along the way.  And don't forget the
classic Hollywood ending where he commands the heavens to open up and the rain
to pour through!

What I find particularily upsetting is Herbert's raving about how wonderful the
movie is and how it is a perfect adaptation of the book.  Granted, he is 
getting a share of the profits, but he seems to sincere ...

This lends strength to a theory I have.  Dune is an acclaimed masterpiece.  All
the Dune sequels were trash.  (Not just my subjective opinion.  Not only do most
of my SF friends agree, but a recent SF poll we took here had Dune in the top
10 (I believe #1), with the sequels to Dune in the worst 10 (we had votes for
best and worst).)  Herberts prior work showed no great talent.  Furthermore,
his praise of the movie shows he has no great love for the original.

Question:  Who did Herbert get as a ghost writer for Dune?

In fairness, I should point out the good parts.  The sets were wonderful.  They
did an incredibly good job at painting a feudal-industrial society.  The casting
and acting were wonderful!  If only they had had reasonable script writing and
cutting ... it could have been wonderful.

I'll close now, the more I think about it the more disappointed I get.  For the
occasional movie goer - pass this one up.  Movie addicts should probably see it,
but don't expect much.  For you Dune addicts:  If you liked the sequels to Dune,
you'll probably like the movie.  Otherwise, let it pass.

					Alien