The 2003 mini-series, Children of Dune, was produced once again by the same consortium that brought us the 2000 mini-series Frank Herbert's Dune (2000). Like the first mini-series it tries to stay true to the iconic Dune saga that was written by Frank Herbert.
This time however the story is composed of the two books: Dune Messiah and Children of Dune. Most of the actors come back to reprise their roles but some have been replaced. Most notable of which are Saskia Reeves (Lady Jessica), Uwe Ochsenknecht (Stilgar) and James Watson (Duncan Idaho). Acclaimed actors, such as James McAvoy (Leto II) and Susan Sarandon (Princess Wensicia) also come in to bring new characters to life.
The story still takes place in Dune, also known as Arrakis. The desert planet where the giant sandworms grow and the only place in the universe where the spice exists. Spice is a cinnamon like drug that can lengthen a person's life and in some cases allows them to foresee the future. As told in the first mini-series, he who controls the spice, or its destruction, controls the universe.
Children of Dune is divided into 3 parts, with the first part telling the tale of Dune Messiah. The protagonist, Paul "Muad'Dib" Atreides is now the Emperor and has his palace on the planet Arrakis where he controls the spice. With his Fremen forces he seeks to conquer the other planets in order to consolidate his power.
The conflict within the movie centers on the conspiracy between the Spacing Guild, the Bene Gesserit and the Tleilaxu who attempts to topple Paul's empire. Then there is the subject of the Heir, wherein Paul and his fremen consort, Chani, attempts to produce one for the continuity of their line and for the hope of the human race. Paul's mind is also struggling with the religion that his loyal followers have built around him as well as grappling with the planet wide changes that they are doing to Arrakis in order to make it more livable.
The first part of the series ends with this song, Inama Nushif. Quite a spine tingling sad song that really fit the montage of scenes that depicted the climax of the first part of Children of Dune. That final montage reminds me a lot of that ending montage in The Godfather
Part II & II tells the tale of Children of Dune. A couple of years have passed from the time that Chani had died giving birth to the twins Leto and Ghanima. Paul, who was blinded from an assassination attempt has walked into the desert in order to die as it is the Fremen way. His act however of following tradition has guaranteed the support of the Fremen for his children when they take over to rule his empire. Paul's legal wife, Princess Irulan has acted as step mother to the twins while Alia, Paul's sister, acts as regent to his empire until the Children can take over.
The conflict in the next two parts center on the children accepting their roles as "saviours" of the human race so that they can set humanity to the foreseen "Golden Path." Leto is at odds with himself if he should allow himself to make this monumental decision that his father himself could not make. Then there is the problem of their Aunt, Alia, who is succumbing to the mental disease known as "Abomination" that the twins themselves are struggling against. Alia's actions under the influence of Abomination are threatening to split the already fragile alliance between the other great houses of the universe. Leto must also deal with the repercussions of the planet wide changes that his family has done to Arrakis that could affect the all important spice production.
I liked every part of this re-telling of the well crafted Dune saga by Frank Herbert, true though that I have to say that I was a bit irked that Saskia Reeves was replaced by the Borg Queen. I'd recommend however reading the books as there is more of the story that can be absorbed and told from the books themselves.
