Despite it being slagged off as an epic folly, I'm rather fond of the 1984 David Lynch adaptation of Frank Herbert's Dune, even though a lot of the criticism is true. Yes it has some shoddy effects work, despite it having a budget of $40 million (on of the biggest spends of all time in 1984 money), yes the story seems crammed and rushed (having to condense the huge novel into just over 2 hours and yes, it is a pretentious load of twaddle with little emotional depth.
But, by Zeus, does it look good. The lavish, intricate set designs are perhaps the best committed to film, the model work rich, detailed and original and Bob Ringwoods costume design a brilliant blending of far future sci-fi and medieval opulence. The casting is inspired from Freddie Jones, Jurgan Prochnow, sultry Francesca Annis, mad Brad Dourif, cackling Kennetyh MacMillan, theatrical Patrick Stewart, coniving Dean Stockwell and refined Max Von Sydow. Only Sean Young and Sting let the side down by doing their tree impressions. Kyle MacLachlan impresses as the Duke's son turn messiah in what is another reworking of the classic hero myth.
Much of the book's ultra-futuristic language survived the adaptation (Bene Gesserit / The art of canly) as does a lot of the subtext about religion, oil, politics and other sociological issues making Dune a film that's never dull.
It might be a bit full of itself for a mass audience, and a bit ponderous and talky for a modern crowd, but I still prefer this version over the 2000 mini series (and that's even with Toto's corny, guitar laden score!)
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