Dune (2000/Umbrella
Entertainment/Region Zero (0)/PAL Import/TV Mini-Series)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: C Episodes: B-
PLEASE
NOTE: This
DVD can only be operated on machines capable of playing back DVDs that can
handle Region Zero/0 PAL format software and can be ordered from our friends at
Umbrella Entertainment at the website address provided at the end of the
review.
With a
third version of the Frank Herbert novel supposedly on the way (we hope it
fails to be remade again), we’ve never covered the second TV mini-series
version until now, though we already have covered the 1984 theatrical version
of Frank Herbert’s classic Dune
twice on this site, located here:
DVD
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/3727/Dune+-+Extended+Edition
HD-DVD
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/4661/Dune+(1984/HD-DVD/David+Lynch)
16-years
after the theatrical release of that film, which still leaves people on the
fence with their overall satisfaction and even after the extended cut, a 2000
mini-series was issued that was going to be the more ‘complete’ version of the
Herbert vision. The end result is
equally mixed and only trivializes things more so, and again people are still
on the fence.
Some
believe that the execution of this material is problematic simply because the
vision of Herbert’s story is so complex and detailed that it’s hard to
translate to film, or even into a mini-series.
Fans are split over the love of the 1984 film and their lukewarm
feelings about the mini-series. In some
respects it’s a trade-off. The 1984 has
greater direction, production, and acting, while the 2000 mini-series (with its
length) is able to deliver more material and is more faithful to the source
material in some respects. However, it’s
still a TV mini-series.
Whatever
your feelings, there is no doubt that people enjoy both and Umbrella Entertainment
has issued this All-Region import of the mini-series, which is similar if not
identical to the U.S. release from years ago. Presented in a 3-disc director’s special
edition, we get all 300-minutes of the series with a 1.77 X 1 anamorphic
transfer, which is noticeably sharper and less grainy to the U.S. release. The 5.1 Dolby mix is also the same and it is
harder to spot a clear winner, they both sound about the same, but this release
does not include the DTS 5.1 that was on the U.S. release and therefore does
not have near that fidelity or punch.
There
were a ton of extras on the U.S. release as well; here we simply get the making
of piece, a featurette, and the stills gallery.
It would appear that this release is a highly pared down version of what
U.S. audiences received and despite a slightly superior picture, it’s hard to
see justification in importing this disc over the one Artisan (now Lionsgate) put
out years ago.
As noted
above, you can order this PAL DVD import exclusively from Umbrella at:
http://www.umbrellaent.com.au/
- Nate Goss
