Dune. 1984. USA. Directed by David Lynch. Screenplay by Lynch, based on the novel by Frank Herbert. With Kyle MacLachlan, Virginia Madsen, Francesca Annis. DCP. 134 min. 134 min.
After Alejandro Jodorowsky’s attempts to adapt Frank Herbert’s epic science fiction novel fell through, Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis acquired the adaptation rights and appointed David Lynch as director, following Lynch’s success with The Elephant Man (1980). Despite the studio’s efforts to simplify Lynch’s vision and reduce the film’s original length—causing him to disavow it and resolve to never again abdicate his creative independence—the director delivered a strange, dark, oneiric work of art that stood in sharp contrast with the monumentally successful Star Wars trilogy. In subsequent years Lynch’s Dune has, deservedly, attained cult status, thanks in part to Carlo Rambaldi’s giant floating mutants and terrifying sand worms.