Denis Villeneuve Rectifies the Error Made in the Previous Adaptation of Dune

Adapting a novel to a film is not an easy task. To date, many novels have been adapted into films and series. But only a few could do justice to the original. Currently, “Dune: Part Two” has been hyped by the audience for all the right reasons. The film is an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal sci-fi book, and obviously, it’s not the first time the renowned book has been adapted. However, one thing is for sure: Denis Villeneuve’s directorial piece is undeniably the best adaptation of Dune so far, serving as inspiration to many sci-fi films. But what is it that stands out in Villeneuve’s film is his adherence to the original work which somewhere David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation failed to portray.

How is Denis Villeneuve’s Dune adaptation better than David Lynch’s 1984 film?

Frank Herbert’s novel Dune is a renowned masterpiece that has attracted many filmmakers to re-create it for films and series. So far, Denis Villeneuve’s film adaptation is the most celebrated one. However, it’s certainly not the first time any filmmaker has tried his hands on adapting the novel. Years ago, renowned filmmaker David Lynch adapted the classic science fiction book, but the film failed both commercially and critically. 

One of the main reasons his film couldn’t perform well was the poor execution of the novel’s vision. He ignored some small yet crucial details in the novel, which somewhat hampered the authenticity of it. Meanwhile, Villeneuve learned from the past mistakes of other filmmakers and made sure that he gave justice to Herbert’s vision. In Herbert’s novel, Paul gives a speech to the Fremen in which he declares, “Long live the fighters.” Both Villeneuve and Lynch have taken this scene in their film, but there is a difference in execution in both films. In Lynch’s film, the protagonist, Paul Atreides, says that line in English, whereas in Villeneuve’s film, Paul delivers the line in the Fremen language, and that is exactly how the scene is played out in the book. 

Although it’s a small detail, it impacts the scene entirely. Using the colloquial dialect, Paul forms the connection with the Fremen, and the scene shines out as authentic. Villeneuve certainly understood the concept of vernacular language and aced the scene. Meanwhile, Lynch diverted from the novel’s original scene, which lacked authenticity, and the eventual outcome is known to all. 

However, Villeneuve’s attention to detail is very evident in the film, and it certainly outclasss any other Dune adaptation.

“Dune: Part Two” is scheduled to be released on March 1, 2024.