- There exist four versions of this mini series:
- the original version presented to the Sci-Fi channel which runs ca. 280 minutes and was deemed unsuitable by Network execs/censors. This version was used everywhere else.
- the American TV version (ca. 265 min., see below)
- the UK version (see below)
- the Director's edition which adds ca. 6 minutes to the original version (ca. 286 min., see below)
- The Region 1 Standard DVD contains the American TV version. All scenes involving nudity are edited out. Most of the scenes involving the sultry seductress and spy Farrah have been completely removed, which makes her role in this version of the story almost inexplicable. Other scenes have been severely truncated or re-shot: There is a scene with Feyd Harkonnen in a bath being pampered by three women. In this version the women are fully clothed. When Princess Corrino seduces Feyd Harkonnen for information, the scene fades out abruptly, implying that the Princess gave herself to Feyd for the information. In uncut version, after extracting the information, the Princess presents a topless Farrah as a gift to Feyd, and during the 'love scene' that ensues, the Princess slips away. Considering that the Princess' virginity is the prize offered to both the male heirs of the Atreides and Harkonnen clans, this clumsy cut significantly changes the story. There is a scene where the Fremen remove their desert camouflage and uniforms, revealing their nakedness to Paul Atreides. It is a symbolic scene, for Paul sees that under their uniforms, the Fremen are people, just like he and his mother. The American TV version is so heavily cut that Paul seems to be just looking blankly into space.
- UK video version (episode 1) was cut by the distributor (Fox Pathe) for violence (a man having his neck broken in a fight sequence) to achieve a "12" certificate although a "15" certificate was available for the uncut version.
- DVD Director's Cut adds scenes to the US television release:
- Aboard the Heighliner, Hawat explains to Paul why he doesn't trust the Bene Gesserit
- Yueh talks to Jessica about his wife's disapperance, foreshadowing and explaining his betrayal.
- Paul finds Kynes in the arboretum, who suggests to Paul that Arrakis' ecology can be changed.
- Extended banquet scene: Paul storms off from the banquet table in a huff over something Irulan said, with additional creepy dialogue from the Guild representative.
- Just before the Harkonnen/Sardaukar raid, Jessica and Leto have a conversation in his office
- Harkonnen gloats to Jessica about his plans for her and Paul.
- Extended scene of Harkonnen gloating over Leto: Leto mumbles "the tooth" before using the poison gas cap.
- Harkonnen has a nightmare about Paul before Feyd wakes him up and informs him about Kynes' survival.
- During Harkonnen's gloating over Kynes, Feyd spits some water.
- Irulan orders Farrah to Giedi Prime to soften up Feyd so she can find out what really happened to Paul.
- Additional Fremen nudity in the Cave of Riches when they're stripping their stillsuits; Chani feels self-conscious when Paul is staring at her and covers her bare breasts
- Farrah is on Feyd's arm when he goes to see Harkonnen about Rabban's senseless slaughtering of Fremen
- Fenring has to convince Shaddam that it's a good idea for Irulan to go to Giedi Prime
- Chani and Jessica have a conversation before Ramallo arrives.
- Fenring and Harkonnen talk about Kynes' whereabouts and Harkonnen architecture after watching Feyd practice for his 100th gladiator bout.
- Additional nudity for Feyd's post-bout bath; after Irulan gets Feyd to talk about Paul and Jessica, she lets Farrah step in to continue the seduction, but Fenring notices Irulan after she slips out.
- Some nudity from the dancing Fremen woman during the sietch tau orgy sequence
- Chani's arrival at Cave of Riches, with Jessica and Leto II waving from a balcony
- After Paul orders Chani to go off to safety with Leto II, he watches them depart and puts on her sayyadina necklace
- Irulan and an Imperial functionary talk about who Muad'dib really is
- The arrival of Harkonnen and Feyd at the Imperial Palace
- The Fedaykin bring Paul to a building filled with Harkonnen prisoners and a Guild representative
- Stilgar explains proper wormriding technique to Paul.
- Exterior shot of two starfighters swooping through the Heighliner fleet over Arrakis to give an idea of the ships' immense size
- Paul sees Leto's ghost after putting his skull in its shrine.
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