Frank Herbert’s mammoth cult novel, about the competition in the year 10,991 between two warring families for control of Dune – a barren planet renowned for its life-prolonging and mind-expanding spice – is converted by director David Lynch into a dense, swirling mass of religious symbolism and mysticism.
Unwieldy and confusing, it’s not as bad as it seemed on release. Lynch was, reportedly, unhappy with the final cut, but his film is visually stunning – the industrial design is truly unique – and many of the scenes are among the most memorable, and original, of the genre.
Kyle MacLachlan (in his film debut) stars as the “Messiah” alongside an amazing cast that includes Sean Young, Francesca Annis, Sting (who turns up wearing Chris Evans’ hair and a metal codpiece and nothing else), Patrick Stewart and Kenneth McMillan as the decaying, bloated Baron Harkonnen, perhaps the most repellent villain ever created (pictured).
Paul Atreides
Kyle MacLachlan Lady Jessica
Francesca Annis Piter De Vries
Brad Dourif Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV
José Ferrer Shadout Mapes
Linda Hunt Thufir Hawat
Freddie Jones Duncan Idaho
Richard Jordan Princess Irulan
Virginia Madsen Reverend Mother Ramallo
Silvana Mangano Stilgar
Everett McGill Baron Vladimir Harkonnen
Kenneth McMillan Nefud
Jack Nance Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam
Sian Phillips Duke Leto Atreides
Jürgen Prochnow Beast Rabban
Paul Smith Gurney Halleck
Patrick Stewart Feyd Rautha
Sting Dr Wellington Yueh
Dean Stockwell Dr Kynes
Max von Sydow Alia
Alicia Witt Chani
Sean Young
