#BookToFilm of Dune by Frank Herbert #atozchallenge

There are multiple adaptations of the original novel. I will discussing the basic premise of the novel, Dune (1984) film starring Kyle MacLachlan and directed by David Lynch, Dune (2000) three-part miniseries starring Alec Newman and directed by John Harrison, and Dune (2021) film starring Timothee Chalamet and directed by Denis Villeneuve. I have not seen Jodorowky's Dune (2013) yet, but it is on my wishlist. 

There are 6 original books by Frank Herbert, and then the prelude series written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson has 19-plus volumes.The Dune universe also has an encyclopedia, poetry collection, coloring and activity books, and video and board games. I'm a huge fan of the graphic novel released in 2020, which is volume 1 with two more volumes to come.

Let's talk about beginnings. 

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Dune (1965) (novel)

The novel follows Paul Atreides, the heir to the water planet Caladen ruled by the Atreides family. Paul's parents are Duke Leto Atreides and the Lady Jessica, a Bene Gesserit. The Bene Gesserit is a female group with political aims and physical and mental abilities. The Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV wants Duke Leto to take over the planet Arrakis from the Harkonnens, who have ruled over Arrakis for decades. The spice or melange is harvested on Arrakis, which extends life, vitality, and makes interstellar travel safe. 

Frank Herbert published the Dune (1965) novel as two separate serials in the Analog magazine.

The opening lines: 

It was a warm night at Castle Caladan, and the ancient pile of stone that had served the Atreides family as home for twenty-six generations bore that cooled-sweat feeling it acquired before a change in the weather.

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Dune (1984) (film starring Kyle MacLachlan and directed by David Lynch)

The opening lines: 

"A beginning is a very delicate time."

To watch a clip, see here.

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Dune (2000) (three-part miniseries starring Alec Newman and directed by John Harrison)

The opening lines: 

"Arrakis, Dune. Wasteland of the Empire and the most valuable planet in the universe because it is here, and only here, where spice is found. The spice. Without it, there is no commerce in the empire, there is no civilization."

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Dune (2021) (film starring Timothee Chalamet and directed by Denis Villeneuve)

This film is the main reason why I bought an HBO subscription in the first place. I wanted to see this film because I just had to as a fan of Dune. The film is the first of a two-part film adaptation of the first novel. Part two to come. 

The opening lines: 

"My planet Arrakis is so beautiful when the sun is low. Rolling over the sands, you can see spice in the air. At nightfall, the spice harvesters land. The outsiders race against time to avoid the heat of the day. They ravage our lands in front of our eyes. Their cruelty to my people is all I've known. These outsiders, the Harkonnens, came long before I was born. By controlling spice production, they became obscenely rich. Richer than the Emperor himself." 

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Dune (2020) (graphic novel)

Okay, so this is not a book to screen adaptation, but if you're a graphic novel lover like I am, please just go read it. I can't wait to own a physical copy. The colors! Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson adapted the story, and Raúl Allén and Patricia Martín’s illustrated with cover art by Bill Sienkiewicz.

There is an article in the Times also discussing the film adaptations, see here. I agree that the story is uncontainable, but I love the variations and how each vision hits on a different aspect of the story.

What is your favorite version of Dune on screen and why? 

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