Dune

Director: David Lynch

1984 / 137min / DCP

Looking for something like his own Star Wars-level sci-fi franchise, maverick producer De Laurentiis opened up his pocketbook for an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s cult novel helmed by visionary young director Lynch. The resulting epic tale of intergalactic spice wars and warrior Kyle MacLachlan’s messianic meeting with destiny was anything but a smash hit, but is certainly one of the most eccentric and eerily gorgeous would-be blockbusters ever made, with vast Venetian-inspired interiors, a sprawling score by Toto, and special effects maven Carlo Rambaldi’s stunning sandworms.