pniemeyer-47222 Jodorowsky's Dune covers the inception and eventual crumbling of one of the most ambitious film projects ever conceived. Alejandro Jodorowsky, the Chilean cult filmmaker whose films include surrealist works like El Topo and The Holy Mountain, wanted to make a miniseries- length adaptation of Frank Herbert's sci-fi novel that would elevate the consciousness of the entire human race, or something. Frankly, I'm kind of glad he never found the money. I'm not sure what film could live up to that level of ambition.For me, what's most interesting about this documentary is how much I disagree with its thesis. This film clearly wants us to see Jodorowsky's Dune as the greatest film never made. I'm not buying it. Jodorowsky admits that he had not read the novel when he started getting his team (he called them "spiritual warriors"; the whole thing seems rather cultlike) together, and when it becomes apparent that his film would deviate from the novel in many significant ways, he claims that he was "raping Frank Herbert...with love". I don't care if that's a metaphor; raping *anyone* with love is an oxymoron. I am a fan of the novel, which might be biasing my thinking here, but I doubt anyone but the most hardcore Jodorowsky devotees would ever want to sit through this film, had it been made. So maybe the greedy studios were right to withhold backing.None of this is to say that Jodorowsky's Dune is itself without merits. As a study in how making art is a series of compromises, and how one charismatic visionary can sweep others up in dreaming the impossible dream with him, it's enlightening. Jodorowsky is a jovial, engaging fellow, and when you consider that the team he assembled for this film included Dan O'Bannon, H.R. Giger, and Moebius, it's not difficult to accept that some of their ideas for this film later found their way into later sci-fi classics that did get made. If nothing else, you will marvel at the sheer absurdity of it all. The 70s were a good time to be a groundbreaking auteur. But not everyone gets to be Scorsese.

Rick Cortez Having loved the movies for a long time now, is incredible to see this film with only 8 as rating. Jodorowski's Dune proposes the inside look of a genius at it's own way. Jodorowski's movies are not for everybody, you need to see it with some kind of effort and taste for the artistic wave. However Jodorowski's Dune shows not only the work of this man, but the man himself, showing us a beautiful human being with an inspiring message: Don't you ever give up! Even if all the doors remain closed, Don't give up. Is one of the most amazing things I have seen in my life. So You have Jodorowsky's work, Jodorowsky himself, Hodorowsky's Legacy in sci-fi what else do you need to give it a try?

Colin Christian I started reading Heavy Metal Magazine back in 78, and there was already talk of this movie back then,there is no doubt in my mind the Jodorowsky and his 'Spiritual Warriors' changed the face of Science Fiction forever,more than Star Wars,despite his movie Dune was never made. This marvelous film traces every step that went into the creation of Dune,and each step was a jaw dropper,hilarious and seemingly written in the heavens.I love this movie,I just get Jodorowsky,the way he sees life matches my own, it's such a loss he never got to complete his mighty idea. The scene where he talks about money and the Hollywood system has to be one of my favorite scenes ever committed to film,I felt his loss to the core. This incredible movie allows you to participate in someone else's dream,an artistic vision beyond compare,it's beautiful beyond measure.Brilliant!

Sean Lamberger A group of talking heads sit down to chat about the "most ambitious sci-fi epic never made." Which, I realize, sounds like some rather exaggerated, overplayed hyperbole. Thing is, between the director's intense dedication to the project and remarkable eye for talent, it quickly seems like a pretty reasonable statement. Alejandro Jodorowsky, who single-handedly provides much of the documentary's narration, is both the best and the worst thing to happen to this launchpad-implosion of a film. His confidence can often come off as egotism, and his absurd track record quickly turned off any potential Hollywood suitors (ultimately damning the picture) but in retrospect there's no arguing with the impact his hand-picked team made on the world of science fiction at large. Then-unknowns like HR Giger and Mœbius would go on to enormous careers, both in the cinema and art scenes, while many of their collaborators found themselves poached for future hits like Star Wars and Alien. There's a certain irrational appeal to the man himself, which immediately comes through in his speech and mannerisms. It's no wonder major celebrities like Pink Floyd and David Carradine would attach themselves to the project, mingling with brow-furrowing supporting acts like Orson Welles and Salvador Dali. The big question of how the film could make the translation from eccentric paper-bound concept to vivid on-screen special effect (in a pre-Lucasfilm world, no less) is never adequately answered, and that hurts in the long run, but as an exercise in unbridled, unhinged creative discharge it's fascinating. Utterly tripped-out, surreal and nonsensical at times, but fascinating.