David Lynch

Mon0Zer0

Mon0Zer0

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Joined
May 24, 2021
Messages
1,063
This is a tough one. I came late to David Lynch but having learned about his approach to spirituality and creativity, then watched Twin Peaks, Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, The Elephant Man and (my favourite version of) Dune, this hits kind of hard. A legendary man, sorely missed.

variety.com

David Lynch, Visionary Director of ‘Twin Peaks’ and ‘Blue Velvet,’ Dies at 78

Director David Lynch, who radicalized American film with with a dark, surrealistic artistic vision in films like 'Blue Velvet,' has died. He was 78.
variety.com variety.com

Keep your eye on the Donut, not the hole.
 
Lynch made a mark. Twin Peaks in particular changed what could be done on TV. Paving the way for Wild Palms etc'
Meanwhile I found Eraserhead very psychologically disturbing in it's day. It gave one a sense of what insanity might actually feel like.
 
Mon0Zer0 said:
This is a tough one. I came late to David Lynch but having learned about his approach to spirituality and creativity, then watched Twin Peaks, Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, The Elephant Man and (my favourite version of) Dune, this hits kind of hard.
Click to expand...
Probably not the time to say this but I was so disappointed by Lynch' s Dune from 1986. It seemed to me that the profoundly spiritual (almost Biblical) aspects of the story had gone over his head. And this is the only film I've seen that Lynch directed. Still, I understand that he is considered one of the greats - up there with Kubrick. Rest in Peace.
 
Orcadian said:
Probably not the time to say this but I was so disappointed by Lynch' s Dune from 1986. It seemed to me that the profoundly spiritual (almost Biblical) aspects of the story had gone over his head. And this is the only film I've seen that Lynch directed. Still, I understand that he is considered one of the greats - up there with Kubrick. Rest in Peace.
Click to expand...


I can definitely understand that. It's a flawed movie for sure, but I love it for its flaws and being Lynch it's interesting. The spicediver cut is a far superior edit of the movie.
 
Orcadian said:
Probably not the time to say this but I was so disappointed by Lynch' s Dune from 1986. It seemed to me that the profoundly spiritual (almost Biblical) aspects of the story had gone over his head. And this is the only film I've seen that Lynch directed. Still, I understand that he is considered one of the greats - up there with Kubrick. Rest in Peace.
Click to expand...
Agree, but dared not say it first :giggle:
 
Mon0Zer0 said:
I can definitely understand that. It's a flawed movie for sure, but I love it for its flaws and being Lynch it's interesting. The spicediver cut is a far superior edit of the movie.
Click to expand...
Not sure whether I've seen that cut or not. Is there a particular segment that you thought was superior, and is it perhaps available as a download?
 
Orcadian said:
Not sure whether I've seen that cut or not. Is there a particular segment that you thought was superior, and is it perhaps available as a download?
Click to expand...


The Spicediver cut is a fan edit that adds back in approx. 40 minutes of footage that was cut by the studio. It makes for a more cohesive and coherent movie. Character motivations are a bit more fleshed out. It doesn't make it a masterpiece but it is a better version of the movie, if still flawed. If you're objection to Lynch's version is it's infidelity, this probably won't win you over.

I'm happy to separate Lynch's movie from the book and view as its own thing. For me, I like the production design, costumes and music of Lynch's version. As herbert himself said:

Dune recreates a feudal society. To impress that on you, the film decor echoes Renaissance (and feudal) Italy -- a stroke of genius and visually exciting.
Click to expand...


Villeneuve's definitely has some stunning cinematography but I miss the psychedelic weirdness of Lynch's. It feels more Flash Gordon, which is fine by me. I love the Guild Navigators.

Herbert himself, though disagreeing with the idea of Paul as God making it rain (Studio decision?) and while critical of some aspects did enjoy and support the movie. Before it bombed he was in talks with Lynch to make a sequel. He was heavily involved in the movie and goes into some detail of what was cut below:

Intro to Eye
 
Orcadian said:
Probably not the time to say this but I was so disappointed by Lynch' s Dune from 1986. It seemed to me that the profoundly spiritual (almost Biblical) aspects of the story had gone over his head. And this is the only film I've seen that Lynch directed. Still, I understand that he is considered one of the greats - up there with Kubrick. Rest in Peace.
Click to expand...

I don't think he would mind the criticism. People talked about his movies, people knew who he was and what films he had directed. Which is more than can be said for most directors.
 
Mon0Zer0 said:
The Spicediver cut is a fan edit that adds back in approx. 40 minutes of footage that was cut by the studio. ...
I'm happy to separate Lynch's movie from the book and view as its own thing. For me, I like the production design, costumes and music of Lynch's version. As herbert himself said:
Herbert ... was heavily involved in the movie and goes into some detail of what was cut below: Intro to Eye
Click to expand...
That Intro to Eye page is an excellent read - thanks. Full of fascinating details. Just that short list of cuts/omissions reveals clearly why the film didn't have a spiritual/mystical dimension, and why we don't grasp either Fremen culture or Bene Gesserit politics. Basically Lynch cut all that out. Only the gods know why, as they're all the visceral, goose-bumpy bits.

Spicediver video just reports:
1737070311338.png

but thanks for trying. Incidentally I take your point about a film and a book being different entities. Good to keep that in mind!
 
Last edited:
Orcadian said:
That Intro to Eye page is an exellent read - thanks. Full of fascinating details. Just that short list of cuts/omissions reveals clearly why the film didn't have a spiritual/mystical dimension, and why we don't grasp either Fremen culture or Bene Gesserit politics. Basically Lynch cut all that out. Only the gods know why, as they're all the visceral, goose-bumpy bits.

Spicediver video just reports:
View attachment 128985
but thanks for trying. Incidentally I take your point about a film and a book being different entities. Good to keep that in mind!
Click to expand...


I first watched Dune knowing nothing about the book. I was baffled.

I then rewatched having played the game and read the book, and my mind filled in the gaps. I really enjoyed it!

What I love is the visual style, which is totally different to the dull, dull, dull new movies.
 
paranoid marvin said:
I first watched Dune knowing nothing about the book. I was baffled.
I then rewatched having played the game and read the book, and my mind filled in the gaps. I really enjoyed it!
What I love is the visual style, which is totally different to the dull, dull, dull new movies.
Click to expand...
Yes, I think that is a better order: watch, read, re-watch. What I (many of us!) did was read, watch, weep.
Cannot really watch a lot of recent SF movies, as to me they seem dull: they lack a real plot, character development and dramatic tension. It's all just (excellent!) special effects and loud, fast action scenes - more like a video game, really...
 
While I can't say I enjoyed all his films [Eraserhead and The Elephant Man were not easy watches], I am glad I watched so many of them.
Even when weirding me out [Blue Velvet comes to mind] he still had me watching.
I think The Straight Story this evening....
 
Orcadian said:
Basically Lynch cut all that out. Only the gods know why, as they're all the visceral, goose-bumpy bits.
Click to expand...

I think these were studio decisions. His cut was four hours long and, due to the interference of the studio Lynch took his name off the production and it soured him so much that he swore he'd never make a big budget movie ever again. The impression I got was that the studio wanted it to be Star Wars.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
B Why Don't I See David Gemmel's Books in US Bookstores Anymore ? David Gemmell 5
Brian G Turner David Attenborough: Asia Science & Nature 0
D YOUR FAVORITE David Lynch films? General Film Discussion 19
tegeus-Cromis The David Lynch weather report is back! General Film Discussion 0
W VW Ad - new david lynch???? General Film Discussion 10

Similar threads


Back
Top