Dune: Part One

Between 1965 and 1985, the American author Frank Herbert published his six-part novel series Dune, a saga centring, amongst other things, on the House of Altreides and the desert planet Arrakis, and dealing with themes of betrayal and courage. Dune captured the imagination to a great extent, and as early as the 1970s, plans were made to adapt the story for the screen. However, the exceptionally complex Dune proved virtually impossible to adapt; several directors, including Alejandro Jodorowsky and David Lynch, attempted it, without much success. In 2021, the Canadian director Denis Villeneuve (Arrival) had more success: his film adaptation was widely acclaimed and won six Oscars, amongst other honours. 

In the distant future, Duke Leto Altreides is commissioned by Emperor Shaddam IV to replace Baron Harkonnen as governor of the planet Arrakis. A barren yet extremely valuable planet, as it is the only place where ‘spice’ is found – a mind-altering substance essential for interstellar travel. But Harkonnen is not willing to accept this. And can the Emperor be trusted? Starring Timothée Chalamet as Leto’s son, the clairvoyant saviour Paul Altreides. The music is by Hans Zimmer.