@RUTGERS.ARPA:wmartin@ALMSA-1.ARPA (01/07/85)
From: Will Martin -- AMXAL-RI <wmartin@ALMSA-1.ARPA> Reference the note from D. Mitchell about a 4-hour Dune: Every now and then, film critics make reference to the vast amounts of film that have been shot for this or that movie, and which were left on the "cutting-room floor" to make a two-hour movie out of the total amount shot. Examples of this seem to include "The Cotton Club", "Once Upon A Time in America", "The Godfather", etc. Some of these get re-cut and re-issued in the longer versions, either for TV or for theatres. Did "Dune" fall into this category? I don't recall seeing any critic or review mention that "n" thousand feet of film was discarded and we have seen only some percentage of the "real" movie, but, if that was the case, it might explain some of the problems and criticisms we have been discussing here (and on USENET). A four-hour (or some other long length) version might contain the missing characterization and explanation/explication. It wouldn't correct fundamental flaws (such as errors in characterization like Jessica's lack of strength or power), nor factual errors (origin of the term "M'uad D'ib", etc.), but it would have more of a chance to do better. Of course, those who disliked the movie intensely anyway will just have more of it to hate, but those who were ambivalent might find themselves swayed to favor it by a more-complete version. Maybe such a re-cutting could be achived for the videocassette release, if it is unmarketable to release to theatres in a long version. Will Martin ARPA/MILNET: wmartin@almsa-1.ARPA USENET: seismo!brl-bmd!wmartin