
A Masterpiece in Disarray
Max Evry
“I see many things. I see plans within plans.”
Following his underground hit Eraserhead and critically acclaimed The Elephant Man, visionary filmmaker David Lynch set his sights on bringing Frank Herbert’s beloved sci-fi novel Dune to the screen. The...
Location:
United States
Description:
“I see many things. I see plans within plans.” Following his underground hit Eraserhead and critically acclaimed The Elephant Man, visionary filmmaker David Lynch set his sights on bringing Frank Herbert’s beloved sci-fi novel Dune to the screen. The project had already vexed directors such as Alejandro Jodorowsky (El Topo) and Ridley Scott (Alien). But by the early ‘80s Universal Pictures was prepared to give Lynch the keys to the kingdom – and the highest budget in the studio’s history at the time – so that he could lend his surrealistic chops to this sprawling story of feuding space dynasties. They would also hopefully be creating a “Star Wars for adults” franchise-starter. As the hot young filmmaker commanded a cast with 42 major speaking parts as well as a crew of 1,700 (plus over 20,000 extras) on 80 sets built on 8 sound stages in Mexico, what happened next became as wild, complex, and full of intrigue as Herbert’s novel itself. Film writer Max Evry goes behind the erratic ride of David Lynch’s Dune like never before, with a years-in-the-making oral history culled from a lineup of new interviews with the film’s stars (Kyle MacLachlan, Sean Young, Virginia Madsen, etc.), creatives, film executives, and insiders – not to mention Lynch himself. David Lynch’s Dune initially left many filmgoers and reviewers scratching their heads, most dismissing the film upon its release. However, four decades and a big-budget remake later, Lynch’s Dune is finally poised to find its rightful place alongside the director’s other masterpieces such as Blue Velvet and Mullholland Drive. Max Evry’s A Masterpiece in Disarray takes you back to 1984 with the deepest dive yet into the cult classic that is David Lynch’s Dune. Duration - 16h 49m. Author - Max Evry. Narrator - Max Evry. Published Date - Friday, 02 January 2026. Copyright - © 2023 Max Evry ©.
Language:
English
Opening Credits
Duration:00:00:45
Prologue
Duration:00:08:01
Part 1: Pre-Production
Duration:00:13:29
Part 1.1: Previous Dune Attempts
Duration:00:27:55
Part 1.2: The Man from Another Place. David Lynch.
Duration:00:18:59
Part 1.3: Detour to a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Duration:00:14:35
Part 1.4: Romancing De Laurentiis
Duration:00:14:03
Part 1.5: Building Four Worlds. Designing and Scripting Dune.
Duration:00:22:24
Part 1.6: Casting a Galaxy of Stars
Duration:01:29:13
Part 1.7a: Oral History. Pre-Production.
Duration:00:07:43
Part 1.7b: Oral History. Pre-Production.
Duration:00:52:40
Part 1.7c: Oral History. Pre-Production.
Duration:01:20:41
Part 2: Location, Location, Location
Duration:00:08:10
Part 2.1: Start of Production
Duration:00:04:01
Part 2.2: Common Threads. Costuming.
Duration:00:04:34
Part 2.3: Actors’ Experiences
Duration:00:16:37
Part 2.4: Production Problems
Duration:00:09:51
Part 2.5: Things that Make You Go Boom. Special Effects.
Duration:00:03:07
Part 2.6a: Oral History. Production.
Duration:01:21:42
Part 2.6b: Oral History. Production.
Duration:00:39:50
Part 2.6c: Oral History. Production.
Duration:00:34:09
Part 3: Band-Aids and Chewing Gum. Visual Effects.
Duration:00:20:31
Part 3.1: Slice and Dice. Editing.
Duration:00:08:25
Part 3.2: Not in Kansas Anymore. Toto’s Music.
Duration:00:05:14
Part 3.3: Knife Fights on Lunchboxes. Marketing.
Duration:00:20:08
Part 3.4: Dune and Gloom. Reviews.
Duration:00:07:22
Part 3.5: The Infamous Glossary
Duration:00:03:12
Part 3.6: Box Office and Awards
Duration:00:06:36
Part 3.7: Plans within Plans. Alternate Cuts.
Duration:00:10:25
Part 3.8a: Oral History. Post-Production and Release.
Duration:00:02:54
Part 3.8b: Part 3.8a: Oral History. Post-Production and Release.
Duration:00:51:08
Part 3.8c: Part 3.8a: Oral History. Post-Production and Release.
Duration:00:26:02
Part 3.8d: Part 3.8a: Oral History. Post-Production and Release.
Duration:01:12:36
Part 3.8e: Part 3.8a: Oral History. Post-Production and Release.
Duration:00:03:51
Part 4: Legacy
Duration:00:48:17
Part 4.1a: Oral History. Legacy.
Duration:00:13:28
Part 4.1b: Oral History. Legacy.
Duration:00:13:23
Part 4.1c: Oral History. Legacy.
Duration:00:15:43
Part 4.1d: Oral History. Legacy.
Duration:01:14:37
Part 4.1e: Oral History. Legacy.
Duration:00:09:05
Part 4.2: Gholas. The Remakes.
Duration:00:17:50
Part 4.3: Mysteries of Love. Dune Symbols.
Duration:00:17:12
Part 4.4: Interview with David Lynch.
Duration:00:08:01
Ending Credits
Duration:00:01:04