tim@reed.UUCP (Flanagan) (12/03/84)
I have been looking forward to DUNE for some time, and
have spent a good portion of my spare time and cash on
anything likely to tip me off to the status of the finished
product. Here is some of the more relevant data:
Yes, Dino De Laurenti$ supplied most of the funds for production and
promotion. He is, however, leaving the actual management of
the film to his daughter, Rafaella.
Early in production, the film was moved to Cherobusca (?sp?)
studios in Mexico, primarily for financial reasonses as well
as the predominance of large, open, undeveloped expanses with
nothing but SAND all over them.
Approximately 3,000 (!!) extras were cast for the final battle
scene. ( this was possible, I gather, due to the supply of
cheap mexican labor).
DUNE cost about $40 million.
Toto is producing, arranging, and performing most of the
soundtrack, with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra at their disposal.
(As a matter of fact, I bought the soundtrack yesterday, and it
is much better than one might expect... The two groups of performers
(rock-group and symphony orchestra) work very well together,
and at no time does one feel like he is listening to the next
top-40 hit, but rather a fine piece of mood-setting music)
The only person who I have had contact with who actually went
to one of the preview screenings (ahh, to live in L.A.), had this
to say: No, there were NOT any big disappointments.
Yes, it would behoove one greatly to have read the boo
because the time element forced David Lynch to "jump
into" the plot, leaving very little early develpment
for those not familiar with the characters. (I suspect
this may be the reason so many have come away from the
screening disappointed)
The final battle scene (with Fremen on sandworms, et al)
is FANTASTIC.
Now, I don't know how good this guy's judgement is, and I haven't
seen the film myself, so bear in mind that this is only what I've
heard.
If anybody has other information, please post it.
If anyone out there knows ANYTHING about the costumes(i.e. materials
or processes used, approximate costs, design details, etc.) send
the information (or appropriate addresses where I should inquire)
to me. I am hoping to construct an accurate Feyd Rautha costume,
and a friend and I are looking closely at the Atreides uniforms
(notice the borders at the top of the collar and the hawk
patches---beautiful work...difficult to reproduce accurately).
Till I see the film, I remain:
Suspensefully waiting,
Tim ("I spent $250 on my ST II uniform")
Flanagan
Z
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