Frank Herbert's Children of Dune: Sci-Fi TV Miniseries (Two-Disc DVD Set)

Great item--arrived EARLY. I'd buy from this seller anytime.

I did not like the TV adaptation of Frank Herbert's first Dune novel very much perhaps because the said TV adaptation fares badly when compared with the larger-than-life mystical vision of the 1984 movie adaptation. However, "Frank Herbert's Children of Dune", the TV adaptation of the second and third books of the Dune saga, suffers no such weakness. It is a major triumph - spectacular, moving, mystical, well-paced, and coherent despite being faithful to the complex source materials (Dune Messiah and Children of Dune). I was especially amazed that its first half, based on Dune Messiah, is so well put together. Susan Sarandon and Alice Krige (the Borg Queen!) both shine as the scheming Princess Wensicia and the exiled Lady Jessica respectively, while Alec Newman grows into the role of the reluctant Messiah - he makes a better Paul here than he did in the first mini-series. At the end of the first series, Muad'Dib of the Fremen, Paul Atreides (Alec Newman), has defeated the armies of the Harkonens and the Padishah Emperor on the planet Arrakis. He is enthroned as the new Emperor even as his ferocious Fremen army sweeps across the known universe in a jihad to destroy all resistance to his rule. He marries Princess Irulan to cement his power but does not consumate the marriage - Chani remains his one true love. As "Children of Dune" starts, billions have died as a result of the ongoing jihad, which has taken a life of its own well beyond the control of Paul. Paul has become a Messiah of sorts for a new religion that has arisen in his name and propagated by Alia, Paul's unstable sister, and by the powerful Fremen priesthood. Paul is haunted by the death toll of the wars waged in his name, but does not know how to stop the jihad - or rather, he knows that the price of stopping it may well be beyond his endurance. In the meantime, enemies of the new order, within and without, weave plots within plots to dethrone the new Emperor. Fremen malcontents plot to return Arrakis to the old ways while Fremen priests plan to wrest power from the Emperor. Bene Gesserit witches plot with Princess Irulan to prevent Chani from conceiving any heirs while Princess Wensicia (Susan Sarandon) of the dethroned House Corrino, the Tleilaxu and the Spacing Guild plot to present the new Emperor with a deadly gift - a Trojan Horse that he could not refuse. Meanwhile, Alia is slowly losing her grip on her sanity as voices from the past take over her mind. Paul must use all of his visionary powers and be prepared to sacrifice everything to ensure that his heirs, Leto II (James McAvoy) and Ghanima (Jessica Brooks), survive to put an end to the deadly legacy that he started. This is epic sci-fi done right, and is well worth watching. Five stars and two thumbs up. Will they ever make an adaptation of God Emperor of Dune? I sure hope so!

The toughest thing about 'Frank Herbert's Dune', presented on the SciFi Channel in 2000, was that all Dune fans knew, just KNEW, there'd be comparisons made between it and David Lynch's theatrical release. Although the strong casting, new-found special effects and costumes made Lynch's version a film to be reckoned with, it still felt unbalanced and lost amidst the deeply textured background world that Frank Herbert created.The 2000 miniseries gave us more of the actually pages of Dune translated to the screen, but it's acting, costumes and special effects were lacking.So, to my surprise, what should appear but a new miniseries with reprising roles and some new cast members for Frank Herbert's Children of Dune on the SciFi Channel. Goodbye comparisons. We entered new screenplay territory since no theatrical version of any other Herbert novels has ever made it out to the public.A wonderful presentation, Frank Herbert's Children of Dune combines the Dune Messiah and Children of Dune novels into this new miniseries and does so with one graceful motion. Well, almost graceful.I don't know WHY the SciFi Channel feels the need to keep a "big name" in these films. William Hurt didn't aid the first miniseries with his 'Hurtful' acting. Likewise, I felt Mrs. Sarandon did nothing to aid in the release of this film/mini. Her character was cardboardish and dull. No action involving her at all. Nothing that seemed to help move the storyline along.Uncharacteristically (and thankfully) Alec Newman reprises his role as Paul (and the new Preacher) and does so with powerfully strong acting (the exact opposite of what I saw from him in the original miniseries). Julie Cox was wonderful as Irulan, Jessica Krige excellently portrayed an aging Lady Jessica, and James McAvoy WAS Leto II. Jessica Brooks balanced the role of Ghanima perfectly by playing Leto's twin sister. And Daniela Amavia was P-E-R-F-E-C-T as the possessed and tortured Alia (preborn sister of Paul). She's also quite an atractive lady.The costumes (thankfully) were also 'toned-down' a bit, so the large head-dresses and triangular suit attachments are gone. The budget for the special effects were increased (to great advantage). Loved the worms, the thopters, Alia's temple. Wonderful cinematography utilizing blue screens.And the BIG shocker: the musical score! Brian Tyler! You the man! A true triumph as far as scores go, the music presented in this miniseries is sure to make the soul soar, or plummet into the Great Erg as appropriately presented by Mr. Tyler's score.This miniseries is the new 5 star TV production for the SciFi Channel, and rightfully so. A presentation worth owning...on DVD.

I recently watched the new Dune movies part 1 & 2 and part 3 might not be released until 2028. I remember this sequel from TV and decided to get this DVD boxset. This was a great miniseries when it was on TV and is still holds up with excellent acting, storytelling, and visual effects.

i thought it was very good quality and watching iwill be telling my friends all about it thanks so much

Très satisfaite!

I've always loved Dune. I really enjoyed watching this follow up.

Excellent acting great sets and effects