Dune

1984, Adventure, 2h 17m

72 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

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 it some spice. Read critic reviews

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Dune Photos

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Movie Info

In the year 10191, a spice called melange is the most valuable substance known in the universe, and its only source is the desert planet Arrakis. A royal decree awards Arrakis to Duke Leto Atreides and ousts his bitter enemies, the Harkonnens. However, when the Harkonnens violently seize back their fiefdom, it is up to Paul (Kyle MacLachlan), Leto's son, to lead the Fremen, the natives of Arrakis, in a battle for control of the planet and its spice. Based on Frank Herbert's epic novel.

Rating:

PG-13
Genre:

Adventure
Original Language:

English
Director:

David Lynch
Producer:

Raffaella De Laurentiis
Writer:

Frank Herbert, David Lynch
Release Date (Theaters):

Dec 14, 1984 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Aug 16, 2011
Runtime:

2h 17m
Distributor:

Universal Pictures
Sound Mix:

Stereo, Surround, Dolby Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
Aspect Ratio:

70mm, Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Kyle MacLachlan
Paul Atreides

Sting
Feyd-Rautha

Francesca Annis
Lady Jessica

Leonardo Cimino
The Baron's Doctor

Brad Dourif
Piter DeVries

José Ferrer
Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV

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Critic Reviews for Dune

All Critics (72) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (41)

Full Review… Eric Shorter Daily Telegraph (UK)

Full Review… Paul Taylor Financial Times

Full Review… Milton Shulman London Evening Standard

Full Review… Derek Malcolm Guardian

Full Review… Peter Bradshaw Guardian

Full Review… Kevin Maher Times (UK)

Full Review… Kent Garrison Mad About Movies Podcast

Full Review… Alachia Queen Alachia Queen

Full Review… Philip French Observer (UK)

Full Review… Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review

Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins

Full Review… David Nusair Reel Film Reviews

View All Critic Reviews (72)

Audience Reviews for Dune

Jun 10, 2017

Undoubtedly a complete mess (Lynch doesn't handle exposition well, and "Dune" requires a lot of world building) but the movie is filled with unforgettable imagery. One wonders what might have happened if Lynch had an even larger budget and final cut.

Alec B Super Reviewer
Jun 16, 2016

I loved the books, but the film should have been directed by Ridley Scott. If he did the project, it would have been an excellent move but Lynch who also did Twin Peaks, The Elephant Man, The Straight Story and Inland Empire, never read the book, didn't know the story and he was never interested in science-fiction at the time. So he did it badly. As for an adaptation, it gets a 6.6/10.

Film C Super Reviewer
Sep 30, 2015

Fantastical, imaginative, cheesy, and grotesque -- Dune is fun movie. The sets, sound, costumes all show the efforts were put in and to good effect. Not everything comes off, though. Many of the props and effects are silly. But that's not such a problem if you are not taking the movie seriously to begin with. It's not another Star Wars (like perhaps it wanted to be), but it is still a good time.

Robert B Super Reviewer
May 21, 2015

after eraserhead and the elephant man why would anyone think david lynch was the correct person to direct this film adaptation. Crazy arthouse blockbuster that is all over the place. cult film and ambitious for its time.

Brendan N Super Reviewer

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