In the mid-seventies, Chilean avant-garde theatre and film director Jodorowsky (“El Topo”) worked to bring Frank Herbert’s 1965 science-fiction novel “Dune” to the big screen. Teaming with French producer Michel Seydoux, Jodorowsky commissioned comic book artist Moebius to storyboard his script, and illustrators Foss and Giger to design the look. He then convinced Orson Welles, Salvador Dali and Mick Jagger to star, and Pink Floyd to write the music. As costs mount and Jodorowsky’s vision soars, the project hits a roadblock and implodes.

Director Pavich places the energetic 86 year-old Jodorowsky front and center in this fascinating portrait of artistic drive, and he proves to be a mesmerizing raconteur of his own story. Garrulous and charming, and with a touch of mad genius, Jodorowsky explains his creative vision for what is known as the “greatest movie never made”. Moebius’ storyboard tome made the rounds of movie studios, but Jodorowsky’s ideas were too ambitious for pre-CGI Hollywood. Pavich links the never-filmed “Dune” with visual and thematic ideas in such films as “Star Wars” and “Alien”, and fashions a thrilling expose of a visionary artist. Movie buffs should pounce!