Dune by Jodorowsky - the greatest movie never made…
The trilogy, the movies released (Lynch and Villeneuve) and the one that was never produced by Alejandro Jodorowsky!
On March 1st, 2024, Dune - Part II, by Denis Villeneuve, was released and it is definitely one that I will not miss this Spring (trailer below).
Just a couple of weeks ago I saw Dune - Part I, also by Villeneuve and available on Netflix, and it was a pleasant surprise, as my expectations were definitely low when I decided to watch it and it has triggered my curiosity to see Part II.
Must confess I never read the trilogy by Frank Herbet (still on the wish-list of books to be added to my library), something that I want to do in a not-so-distant future, but I clearly remember seeing David Lynch version (now also available on Primevideo) several, several… years ago and not being overly impressed (will see it again next week taking advantage that it is available and see if I still have the same opinion. Who knows it might change).
Surprisingly, the purpose of this post, although motivated by the release of Dune - Part II, is not to comment on any of the movies that were released but to bring to your attention the version that was never released that would be directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky.
Was not aware of such endeavor and must confess did not know Jodorowsky until I came across the Frank Pavich’s documentary (available on YouTube - click below)
This documentary lasts 1h30m and is worth every minute and I strongly recommend it.
It is dazzling to see how Jodorowsky considers and conceives movies as an art (the 7th art) and based on that how he would bring to life Hebert’s novels, but as he also mentions, that at the end and once the movie was concluded it would be already something new and independent from the original, although still based on it.
It is fascinating how he created a full storyboard, scene by scene (the Dune book), with Moebius, explaining how the movie would be directed! What a petty that is not published so one could buy it,
The “small” stories how he did select the movie cast and team are absolutely delightful and mind-blowing, only in late 70th beginning of 80th that could be done, and how several of his ideas (significantly ahead of his time) and assembled team were used in the future by Hollywood in plenty of iconic movies.
It is also a story of how being ahead of your time, when you try to disrupt an industry and complete leap forward the current status-quo generates levels of resistance unsurmountable and how projects like this can die before they are carried through with a significant loss to all.
“…Dune by Jodorowsky is greatest movie never made…”
Will try to see the other movies by Jodorowsky (Fando Y Lis, Topo, Magic Mountain) but must confess would need to prepare myself spiritually to do it :-)