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Frank Herbert's Children of Dune (Sci-Fi TV Miniseries) (Two-Disc DVD Set) | 
| Director: Greg Yaitanes
Actors: Alec Newman, Julie Cox, Edward Atterton, Ian Mcneice, Barbora Kodetova
Studio: Artisan Home Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $7.49
You Save: $7.49 (50%)
New (40) Used (29) from $6.58
Rating:  182 reviews
Sales Rank: 1672
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: Unrated
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number Of Discs: 2
Running Time: 266 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: IVED13872D
UPC: 012236138723
EAN: 0012236138723
ASIN: B00008RUYH
Theatrical Release Date: March 16, 2003
Release Date: May 20, 2003
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Conspiracies abound in Children of Dune, Sci-Fi Channel's praiseworthy miniseries sequel to Frank Herbert's Dune, loyally adapted from the Herbert novels Dune Messiah and Children of Dune by John Harrison, who passed directorial duties (due to a scheduling conflict) to Greg Yaitanes, a 31-year-old TV director and Dune neophyte tackling his biggest assignment to date. Uninitiated viewers face a disadvantage; it's best to read Herbert's books and/or see the first miniseries before plunging into this remarkably coherent tangle of political intrigue, unfolding 12 years after the events of Dune. To his horror, Maud'Dib--Arrakis emperor Paul Atreides (Alec Newman, reprising his Dune role)--has become the unintended figurehead of a violent dictatorship, and his enemies are multiplying. Vanishing into the desert, he waits as destiny shapes his twin heirs Leto II (James McAvoy) and Ghanima (Jessica Brooks), who must contend with their scheming aunt Alia (Daniela Amavia) while Princess Wensicia (Susan Sarandon), of the enemy House Corrino, plots her own attack on Maud'Dib's familial empire. Exiled Atreides matriarch Lady Jessica (Alice Krige, giving the film's finest performance) returns to Arrakis, where the enormous, desert-dwelling sandworms face an uncertain future. As always, the spice must flow, and the universe's most coveted commodity remains at the center of this richly detailed and physically impressive production. Special effects range from awesome (fly-over shots of the capital city, Arakeen) to awful (the saber-tooth tigers look like Jumanji rejects), and Dune devotees will endlessly debate the miniseries' strengths and weaknesses. Some may desire more action to punctuate the film's inherent verbosity, but consensus will surely conclude that this is Dune done right, with monumental effort and obvious devotion from everyone involved. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
2nd & 3rd books of the dune chronicles adapted for the screen. 2 disc. Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 05/25/2004 Starring: Alec Newman Alice Krige Run time: 266 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Greg Yaitanes
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| Customer Reviews: Read 177 more reviews...
 Brilliant! December 18, 2008
The Sanctimonious One (Foster City, CA)
Put simply, this is an brillian mini-series. It is clearly superior to the Dune mini-series, which was decent, but suffered from a comparatively low budget and very questionable costume decisions. But beyond that, it shows what can happen when great acting and production follows great writing. When the writing is bad, everything is bad and you can see examples of this in about 90% of all movies out at a given time.
Children of Dune has shockingly good writing and acting and it makes you wonder if this is the same Sci-Fi channel behind such epic "Sci-Fi Channel Originals" as Mutant Mosquito Genocide and its three sequels. With productions like this and Battlestar Galactica, Sci-Fi shows that it can get it really right. I'm stunned at how consistently well written, acted and shot this series is.
Children of Dune's excellence also shows that there are some things you can do on television that you simply can't do in movies. You can take your time, develop character and plot, and have many moving and engaging interpersonal scenes that feature films rarely make time for, and unfortunately sometimes cannot make time for due to budget, meddling studio execs and other barriers.
I really don't buy DVDs anymore unless it is for something I'm certain I will watch again. With all of the new media competing for my attention, I rarely have time to go back and revisit things I've already seen. It takes something exceptional. Children of Dune is exceptional and despite it's 4.5 hour running time I will be watching it again.
If you are a fan of sci-fi, you truly owe it to yourself to watch this. It is sci-fi done right, but more importantly, it is Dune done right.
Children of the Dune November 7, 2008
Patrick W. Schwab (Alaska)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Seller is excellent - movie arrived much sooner then expected (about 7 days) and in virtuously new condition
 Oasis in the Desert October 8, 2008
Amaranth (Northern California)
"Children of Dune" is a surprisingly solid sequel to the original Sci Fi Channel miniseries. It has an amazing combination of powerful acting,a soaring soundtrack,and is true to the spirit of Frank Herbert's books.
"Children of Dune" shines primarily with its acting. Alec Newman has matured as Paul, portraying him as a conflicted,heartbroken savior king. He has saved Arrakis,but has lost himself and his loved ones in the process. Daniela Amalva is equally strong as the tormented Alia. James McAvoy has a breakthrough role as Leto II. He was an emerging talent at the time,and one can see why. Alice Krige has a minor role as Lady Jessica,not all that memorable. Susan Sarandon has an equally forgettable role as Princess Wensicia-at least her hats are memorable.
"Children of Dune" also has the strength of Brian Tyler's powerful soundtrack. The "Inama Nushif" montage- juxtaposing Chani's death in childbirth with the deaths of Paul's enemies- is hard-hitting and heartbreaking.
"Children of Dune" is a cinematic oasis.
Addicting September 29, 2008
Lauren Ashley (Beverly Hills, CA)
I really enjoy watching the mini series. This is pretty accurate compared to the novel. I found this very entertaining -- slightly long, but understandably considering the novel it is based off. Now this really is full of wonderful details and so addicting to watch. Alia really loses it in this movie!
Great Series September 21, 2008
Tara (Rohnert Park, CA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I love the mini series, even more than the original Dune movie. This is a MUST see.
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