Children of Dune is a three-part miniseries based on Frank Herbert's novels
Dune Messiah and Children of Dune). At the time this miniseries and its
predecessor Dune were two of the three highest-rated programs ever to be
broadcast on the US Sci-Fi Channel.
The future of humanity is left in doubt as the twins of Paul Atreides become
embroiled in the turbulent political landscape of Arrakis. Born with special
abilities and superhuman prescience that not only empowers them but place them
in considerable jeopardy amongst their kind Leto (James McAvoy, Atonement) and
Ghanima (Jessica Brooks, Supernova) continue the fight against the malevolent
forces of Baron Harkonnen.
With the looming threat of civil war amongst the Fremen and Princess
Wensicia’s (Oscar winner Susan Sarandon, Dead Man Walking) own devious plot to
assassinate the Atreides heirs, their survival is paramount to ensure the future
of the universe for generations to come.
Includes ‘Making Dune's Children: The VFX revealed’ featurette –
14 Mins.
Awards
- Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films USA 2004 –
Nominated for Saturn Award for Best Television Presentation
- Primetime Emmy Awards 2003 – Won Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a
Miniseries, Movie or a Special
- Satellite Awards 2004 – Nominated for Golden Satellite Award Best
Miniseries
Children of Dune Review
"…Children of Dune ups the ante by delivering an even more complex and
layered story as well as combining the events from two of Herbert’s Dune
novels, Dune Messiah and Children of Dune. For this six-hour, three-part
mini-series, Greg Yaitanes takes over the directing chores this time around with
Harrison providing the teleplay. This is the story of the fate of Paul
Atreides/Maud’dib (Alec Newman) and his twin blood heirs Leto II (James
McAvoy) and Ghanima (Jessica Brooks).
Without getting too much into the soap opera-like details of the story,
Paul/Maud’dib becomes increasingly disenchanted with the empire
he’s created. The Fremen jihad has left the galaxy united but at a great
cost – the universe has suffered with millions dead and currently teeters on
the brink of civil war. Fanatics and politicians make grabs for power as Paul
deals with his own deification. The solution to all the galaxy’s problems may
lie within his own, yet unborn children. If I offer anymore details, I’d
simply be summarizing the extensive plot and there’s a lot of it. This may be
the unavoidable flaw that director Yaitanes has to contend with – in order to
be faithful to the story, you’ve got to tell every last detail. And in telling
the details, he succeeds. Though I haven’t read the books in years,
“Children of Dune” does hit all the major story turns that I remember and
even some ones I forgot. I was even more impressed that Leto
II’s transformation into a kind of super being is handled so well, both by
actor James McAvoy’s performance and with the help of some breathtaking
special effects. The mini-series balances the soap opera nature of the epic tale
while providing some truly stellar action effects sequences.
Those let down by the recent demise of Star Trek, made even more evident
by the awful final outing Nemesis, should turn their attention here. The results
are clearly better when the creators in charge obviously have a reverence and
respect for the material, unlike Rick Berman and those currently crashing and
burning Paramount’s crapfest known among former fans as the “long-ailing
Star Trek franchise.” “Children of Dune” gets it right on many levels and
is must-viewing for fans of true science fiction.
In addition, the series has its share of surprises. There are some steamy
love scenes that take sex and skin to the limit especially for the Sci-Fi
Channel, jaw-dropping effects that blow away recent big screen sci-fi, along
with respectable cameos from Susan Sarandon as Princess Wensicia from rival
House Corrino, and Alice Krige as Lady Jessica. On top of that, the sandworms
are just way cool. I hope the success of this series prompts Sci-Fi Channel
brass to bring other classic impossible-to-film science fiction novels to the
screen.
Ultimately, “Children of Dune” is a worthy adaptation that will
satisfy purists and introduce the world of “Dune” to a whole new generation
of fans." Film Threat