So it may not be the Dune we were looking for back in Dec 2020, but with the Frank Herbert adaptation rained off due to public health issues, Marc Price steps in with a cheeky slice of sci-fi action that offers some minor but genuine attractions for the committed sci-fi fan. Dune Drifter is a proper sci-fi action film, made on a budget; the director famously made a zombie film, Colin, for just £45, but that’s something of an albatross around his neck now. Dune Drifter looks as good as many blockbusters due to some smart, old-school choices, but does it work as narrative?
Adler (Phoebe Sparrow) crash-lands on the planet Erebus after an elaborate outer-space dogfight; together with pilot Yaren (Daisy Aitkens), she has to figure out a way off the rock. Standing in her way is some kind of mutated being; mix Enemy Mine and Hell in the Pacific, and you’ll know what kind of film to expect as Adler and Yaren face a tough struggle to survive, and a hand-to-hand confrontation with the deadly opponent who seeks to snuff them out.
A week’s shoot in Iceland gives Dune Drifter the look it needs for the alien planet, without having to hit the same green-screen switch that most films hit all too readily. But it’s the space-action that’s more impressive, by dint of practical choices; those who dug the dirty space look of 70’s classics like Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica should apply here. Although filmed in a UK living room, the results look dynamic enough to keep the attention, and make Dune Drifter a cut above the average.
Pacing, however, is an issue here; once we get to Erebus, things slow down, and there’s not quite enough narrative for the 90 minutes, leading to a rather drawn-out finale. That said, many bigger and supposedly better films make the same mistake; Dune Drifter could have used a couple more script-polishes before going into production. But as with Colin, Dune Drifter is a calling card that shows that all concerned can take on Hollywood at their own game and emerge with some success; I watched this on the glitch-tastic BAFTA voting hub, where it was, like everything else indie, roundly ignored by voters, but it’s a minor discovery, and one worth recommending to those who seek futuristic viewing action…
Thanks to Dead Pixel Productions for access to this film. Trailer and link below.
I’m so tired from kidding like that… 😉
I sometimes feel like I’m marooned on a desolate planet. Of course, that planet being your blog.
So why are you here? No point in complaining to me, plenty of satisfied customers. Guess there’s little hope of you beating my 22 answer streak on Alex’s quiz…
Satisfied customers? Name five! Just five.
Alex’s quiz is impossible this week. I can’t get any.
Me, Shedley, Joe and Jake are cats, the spider in the bathroom. Plus thousands and thousands of weekly readers.
Alex has clearly lost what little mind he had. Sad!
Oh, I’ve persuaded Shedley to come to the other side, don’t you worry.
Very sad. Oh well, life must go in.
*on. Not in.
Fake news. Shedley in da shed right now.
What else is in da shed?
You.
What a twisty turny story this is turning out to be.
The space bits did look quite hokey in the trailer.
I liked the spaceship designs. That’s what space looked like when I was a nipper!
Ah you’re in that stage of life.
What stage is that? World beating?
At that age of reminiscing about your childhood. You’ll soon move on to yearning for your young adult capers and sighing over lingerie models in catalogues from long ago.
That sounds more like Alex than me, I’m living the dream.
Could be interesting and it’s often been the newcomers who have put some zest into sci fi.
I think the dirty space thing would be well worth doing on a bigger budget….
Is that what your living room looks like?
Iceland is the new go-to destination for SF movies. It’s a phase.
That is exactly what my living room looks like, I had Iceland built as a replica for the public to explore.
What hours is it open to the public? Do you serve scones and shortbread?
9am to 5pm (not Tues) , Cafe from 10am to last orders 4.30. Are you booking or time wasting?
I have to RSVP? You don’t have drop-ins or foot traffic?
Anticipate a certain number of walk-ups, but you’d be better to book. Table for one, sir?
I don’t usually travel without my entourage of followers. The price of fame.
We can cater for parole officers if required. How many does it take to keep you from breaking free and going ape?
Well, you do have some crowd control I hope. I won’t be signing autographs or having people taking selfies with me. I want to keep things low key.
Hoping your appearance will solve our ongoing vermin issues. Surely the rats will recognize a kindred spirit?
Ugh! I didn’t realize things were quite so bad there. I might stay away until you get things cleaned up.
Aw, but the vermin were keen to see you again…
*spoken in a deep gravelly voice*
It’s not the Dune we wanted, but it’s the Dune we deserved….
Have to admit the whole “filmed in an apartment” gives me pause but overall this does sound like it is up my alley.
The trailer should put your mind at rest, and yes, think this might work for you…
I only watch HISHE trailers. All others are lies and marketing ploys that will do/say anything to separate me from my hard earned money. HISHE is my friend and won’t lie to me.
It would seem that it is on Prime. Score!
Result!
and then I remembered my experience with that 1950’s retro UFO /twilightzone’ish movie that you really enjoyed.
I have adjusted my expectations accordingly.
You’re a tough crowd. But still, we persevere in our efforts to entertain…
We just have very different ideas about movies, that’s all. I just have to keep that in mind 🙂
I’ll remember that when I’m reading Sandworms of Panipticon Vol 2; The Golden Tariffs of Hecuba 19.
Exactly. I have good taste 😉
so in a surprise twist, my sunday afternoon opened up and I sat down to watch this. Only to have amazon have removed it from free prime for me. Not cool.
So I decided on Code of Silence since you liked that so much 😉
Can’t go wrong with Chuck!