Better known as the desert planet Dune, and later Rakis,
Dune is the centre of all activity in the known Universe.
Dune is where the Fremen live in the deep desert.
Dune is home to giant sandworms which inhabit the waterless sands.
Dune, is the only place in the known Universe where the spice Melange exists.
The Spice extends life.
The Spice enhances prescient ability.
The Spice is essential to space travel.
The Spice is the most valuable material in the universe.
Dune is where House Atreides led by Duke Leto Atreides is lured to destruction
by House Harkonnen and the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV's Sardaukar.
Dune is where Duke Leto's son Paul Atreides discovers himself
as the Bene Gesserit's Kwisatz Haderach.
Dune is where Paul and the Fremen ally to fight
House Harkonnen and the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV.
Still lost ? The planet Arrakis also known as Dune is the centrepiece of
Frank Herbert's epic six book science fiction series,
The Dune Chronicles :
Dune, Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune,
Heretics of Dune and Chapter House : Dune.
Dune has also been made into an film, directed by David Lynch of the same title.
Two Prequels to Dune, 'Prelude to Dune: House Atreides' and 'Prelude to Dune: House Harkonnen' have
by Brian Herbert (Frank's son) and Kevin J. Anderson have also been published with a third
'Prelude to Dune: House Corrino' being written.
Frank Herbert's Dune Chronicles are arguably comparable in scope and depth to
JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings and related writings.
David Lynch's movie creation of the first book "Dune" was not very well received by Dune fans, movie
audiences and critics despite a fantastic production design and cast. Fans were understandably disappointed
at the necessary trimming of the story to fit a reasonable viewing time. Newcomers to Dune on the
other hand found it very difficult to follow the story despite the clever way in which the story was
introduced to the audience. These were Virginia Madsen's opening monologue; the scenes which introduce the planet Dune (Arrakis)
and the homeworlds of Houses Atreides, Harkonnen and
the Emperor; and the scene with Paul studying a filmbook about the planet Arrakis.
The movie trailer did inspire me to read "Dune" and turned me into the fan I am today,
for that I will be forever grateful. On top of that, I enjoyed the movie too ! I would love for
David Lynch to re-cut the movie as a mini series (there is apparently 5 hours of footage shot) and published on DVD.
Recently another attempt was made bringing "Dune" to life as a motion picture, a miniseries exclusive to the Sci Fi channel.
I don't have access to the Sci-Fi Channel so all I've seen are the downloadable trailers and they look pretty good. They DO have a DVD planned !
Directed by John Harrison, the 295 minute mini-series will be released on DVD in March 2001. As a "Dune" fan, this is a "must-have".
Frank Herbert's Dune (2000)
My review is here.
The Opening Monologue of David Lynch's movie, 'Dune',
by Princess Irulan Corrino, later Atreides-Corrino (played by Virginia Madsen).
This was an ingenious device used to introduce Dune to those new to the story:
"A beginning is a very delicate time. Know then, it is the year Ten Thousand One Ninety One.
The Universe is ruled by the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV, ... my father. In this time, the most
precious substance in the Universe is the spice melange. The spice extends life, the spice expands consciousness,
the spice is vital to space travel. The Spacing Guild and its Navigators, who the spice has mutated over four
thousand years, use the orange spice gas which gives them the ability to fold space. That is, travel to any
part of the universe without moving. ........ Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, the spice exists on only one planet
in the entire universe, a desolate, dry planet with vast deserts. Hidden away within the rocks of these
deserts are a people known as the Fremen, who have long held a prophecy, .. that a man would come, a messiah,
who would lead them to true freedom. The planet is Arrakis,... also known as .. Dune."
The Opening Monologue of David Lynch's movie, 'Dune', by Jedi Master, Yoda.
A very delicate time, a beginning is.
Know then, the year Ten Thousand One Ninety One, it is.
Hmmph!
Ruled by the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV, the Universe is, ... my father, he is.
The spice melange, in this time, the most precious substance in the Universe it is.
Extends Life, the spice does, hmmm
Expands Consciousness, the spice does, hmmm
Vital to space travel, the spice is.
Over four thousand years, The Spacing Guild and its Navigators, mutated the spice has,
use the orange spice gas, they do, to fold space,
Travel to any part of the universe without moving, they can.
Hmmm...
Oh yes, To tell you, i forgot, exists the spice does, on only one planet in the entire universe,
Desolate and dry planet, it is, vast deserts it has.
A people known as the Fremen, hidden away they are, within the rocks of these deserts.
Long held a prophecy, they have, that come a man would, a messiah he is
Lead them to true freedom, he will.
Arrakis, the planet is, ... also known as .. Dune.
The Spacing Guild
Enter the Spacing Guild to negotiate transport to other worlds with a Guild Navigator.
Featuring selected paper (prior to the invention of ridulan crystal paper) tomes from God Emperor Leto II's library at Dar-es-Balat, Arrakis.
Page Created on 2nd June 1995 and Last Updated on June 29, 2001