Credited as the first picture of a two-part adaptation (and remake to the 1984 motion picture), the 2021 breakout science fiction film Dune is based on the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert, which also covers the first half of the plot. Nearly five months after the international premiere, in September 2021, this first part of Dune crossed the $400 million mark at the worldwide box office, grossing over $107.9 million domestically and $292.3 million overseas to date. Additionally, the film was the single biggest opening from any Warner Bros movie in 2021.

For David Lynch's 1984 Dune, the events take place in the year 10,191, where the most sought after commodity is a spice labeled mélange, only sourced in the desert of planet Arrakis. A royal decree awards Duke Leto Atreides the planet Arrakis over their enemies, the Harkonnens. Once the Harkonnens pose a fierce fight, in an attempt to regain control of the territory, Paul (Kyle MacLachlan), Leto's son and heir, must lead the Fremen and natives of Arrakis in a vicious and violent battle for control of the planet, along with its spice.

With an estimated budget of $42 million being spent, the total revenue only brought in $30.9 million. Deemed as one of the largest movie budgets of that time period, combined with a star-studded cast (consisting of Patrick Stewart, Linda Hunt, Sting, and MacLachlan), the project ended up being negatively reviewed by critics and ultimately bombing. So what was it about David Lynch's Dune that rubbed cinema lovers and critics alike the wrong way, how does it compare to the 2021 remake, and finally does it really deserve the mounds of criticism it has received?

Dune Can Be a Success

A scene from Dune
Warner Bros. Pictures

Dune from 2021 tells the complete story of Paul Atreides (a great Timothée Chalamet), a young noble whose family is among one of several houses, currently clashing over control of the planet Arrakis, better known as “Dune.” Atreides and his family, who all originated from the planet of Caladan, seeks control of the unique planet due its heightened production of a drug called spice mélange (which is labeled to be the most valuable resource to ever exist). The incredible and emotional journey follows Paul as he travels to the dangerous planet in order to save the fate of humanity and his family.

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Paul's father Leto (Óscar Isaac) is the twentieth duke of House Atreides and a powerful figure. While his aristocratic family rules the planet Caladan, Paul is predicted to ultimately inherit his father's position and become a powerful Duke of the Great House Atreides himself. From early childhood, Paul has been taught how to rule, in addition to the way in which he should interact with the people that he will eventually represent. Once the House of Atreides is moved to the planet of Arrakis to manage the various operations of the spice mélange, Paul and his parents relocate to the unusual setting.

The massive success of 2021's Dune is attributed to the unique and exotic filming locations, notable casts, and the extraordinary visual effects, not to mention the great Hans Zimmer score. The modern day remake stars Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem, and many more great actors. The project has gained so much success, a second installment has already been approved. Back in February, director Denis Villeneuve confirmed the Dune: Part Two script is already complete, while production will begin filming by late summer, early fall of 2022.

The Backlash

Kyle MacLachlan with blue eyes in Dune
Universal Pictures

Once Lynch's Dune was released, the reviews were mixed, with most fans disappointed of the end-product. For example, in a 1984 review from Roger Ebert, he wrote, "This movie is a real mess, an incomprehensible, ugly, unstructured, pointless excursion into the murkier realms of one of the most confusing screenplays of all time." Lynch himself (who is most know for his cult hits Eraserhead, Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvet, and the series Twin Peaks) even stated publicly that he is proud of every film he's created, except Dune.

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After being severely haunted by the history tied to Dune's production and release, Lynch has made it clear that he possesses "zero interest" in ever being reminded of the story again. He has said that, "because it was a heartache for me. It was a failure and I didn't have a final cut. I've told this story a billion times. It's not the film I wanted to make. I like certain parts of it very much - but it was a total failure for me."

So what exactly drew people away from the film? The '84 project is claimed to have lacked great substance, with the plot seeming much more scattered as opposed to being well-structured. Considering the successful new films (and a very good miniseries on SyFy) have a lot more time to develop the massive Herbert books, it makes sense that one smaller, single film would be borderline incomprehensible; it would be as if all three Lord of the Rings films were condensed into a single two-hour movie.

The cast of Dune with Sting in the middle
Universal Pictures

At moments that are supposed to be key, the story fails to draw viewers in via dialogue, and instead turns people completely off, unable to balance Lynch's oddball brilliance with the epic blockbuster vision of its producer. Also, instead of humanizing Paul, the story places him as a messiah figure with superhuman-like powers, and much of the film lacks any stakes or emotion as a result.

Overall, both installments will always have their fair share of loyal fan bases that ultimately support. While it's undeniable to point out the visually stunning aesthetics and much neater cadence of the story in Villeneuve's Dune: Part One, Lynch's version also has positive qualities as well. The way in which his cinematic depiction brings viewers in is actually fairly captivating and effective in showing how unique these planets actually are, creating a bizarre and haunting mood despite the limited and somewhat laughable visual effects in post-production.