That’s a good stopping point. I would like to see Children of Dune on screen too, but beyond that I think it would be difficult to successfully translate the themes of the rest of the books onto screen for a broad audience like he’s managed to do with the first one.
It is the full story of Paul Atreides, following the Classic story arc.
I always point to the parallels between Dune and the Classic play Oedipus Rex.
Oedipus was born of a family that had sinned and was punished for it by the gods. That was why Apollo issued that prophecy. Oedipus then spends the first part of his story grappling with the questions of Fate vs Free Will.
Oedipus had his rise, and then his fall, and at that fall, he blinded himself and wandered into the wilderness.
Paul and Oedipus. They both were bound by prophecy, and both had very little say in it.
Oedipus’ fall was engineered from the day he was born. Paul’s… was slightly more complex.
I’d not really link the Matrix films to Classic Greek story structure, especially not Oedipus Rex.
I mean, Neo dies, but it’s the noble sacrifice. They sort of thing is rare in Greek story structure. Rare in the Tragedies.
It fits some of the Heroic epics.
Dune is a Tragedy in three parts. The Tragedy of Paul Atreides.
It’s been a long (LONG) time since I’ve read past God Emperor, but does anyone feel that anything past that would make for good cinema?
Note: I never read any he books by Brian Herbert, so maybe some of them would be ok. I dunno.
I’ve never read the prequels either, but a series on the Butlerian Jihad would be pretty fucken sweet I think
I was in the middle of reading Dune for the first time when I saw The Matrix and my first thought was “Holy shit it’s the Butlerian Jihad”
“we broke out of Zion and use swords now. We also use aliens high on DMT to fly around space. Overall, things are better”
a series on the Butlerian Jihad would be pretty fucken sweet I think
I thought that as well and so gave the prequels a try.
I’ve never read the prequels either,
Honestly, that was for the best. The writing was ok but a pale shadow of the original. (think the film version of LOTR vs The Hobbit…)
I’m not even sure God Emperor would make a good movie,there’s some decent action but mostly off screen (well very short in the book I mean but most action is in Dune) and so much is Leeto just talking to Monro. Though it is my favorite of the series, I’d be curious how they portray Leeto.
As for the rest, I enjoyed them and listened to multiple times but more to hear the lore I may have missed than enjoying the entire story. I did like Teg and more Duncan and the Bene Gesserit more, but I didn’t care for the Honored Matres and other factions too much.
I understand not wanting to continue and how hard translating God Emperor to the screen would be but I wish he would give it a go.
As @chaogomu said, Dune Messiah completes Paul’s story arc but the comparison between Paul’s unwillingness to take the golden path and Leto’s acceptance of it could be a great thing to see.
Paul clings to his humanity and billions die in his name, Leto sacrificed it and changed the destiny of the human race.
Makes sense since that brings Paul’s story to a logical conclusion.
Yes, but also because the rest of the books abandon the swashbuckling action and are basically science fiction political dramas.
I’m not an avid reader, but I enjoyed the movie. Do people who read the books think the movie did the books justice? Thought I’d give the books a shot
I’m waiting for Dune 2 to release to tell you.
Dennis saved a lot of the best stuff for the 2nd movie as bait to ensure he would get a second movie.
Dune is such a hard book to translate into a movie because lots of important dialogue that drives character growth and the political intrigue of the book is either Frank Herbert himself narrating the events, discussion or perceptions taking place in the characters’ minds, characters talking imperceptibly with their hand gestures, and characters saying one thing but using body language or gestures to mean another.
To adapt that into spoken lines on a script undercuts just how brilliant and smart many of the protagonists and antagonists are. I think Lady Jessica got the worst treatment in the first movie.
It’s quite good, but remember that it’s an adaptation. Despite having to cut and change things the movie hit the main characters, plot points, and themes well. The human/spider/dog thing isn’t in the books but is a perfectly fitting addition. As a fan of the books I saw it, knew where it came from, how it was made, and totally bought that the Baron would have one.
The only major quibble that I have with the film is a design decision. When it came to the costumes, sets, and even ships the film takes a minimalistic approach - probably to highlight how far in the future the story takes place. The books describe the noble houses living in much more opulence. A good example is the scene where the Baron is introduced. In the book his fat, ring-laden hand spins a globe of Arrakis made out of gemstones.
Other deviations from the book are necessary evils. The biggest one was how Lady Jessica acted when Paul was with the Reverend Mother. In the books all of her turmoil was internal and she was completely stoic. For the film it was necessary to have her show her feelings or do a Lynch style internal monologue.
If you liked the complete alien-ness of the people in the Dune movie you’ll love the books. Be warned that they get stranger as the series goes on, but that’s a good thing if you’re receptive to Herbert’s themes and ideas.
The only major quibble that I have with the film is a design decision. When it came to the costumes, sets, and even ships the film takes a minimalistic approach - probably to highlight how far in the future the story takes place. The books describe the noble houses living in much more opulence.
I actually preferred some of the production design of the Lynch film for this reason. Overall of course, the Villeneuve version is superior.
If you liked the complete alien-ness of the people in the Dune movie you’ll love the books. Be warned that they get stranger as the series goes on, but that’s a good thing if you’re receptive to Herbert’s themes and ideas
I’m actually glad he’s stopping at Messiah because it gets so weird.