Dune story

movie: Dune (1984) · 1984-12-03

Set in the distant future, the film chronicles the conflict between rival noble families as they battle for control of the extremely harsh desert planet Arrakis, also known as "Dune". The planet is the only source of the drug melange—also called "the spice"—which allows prescience and is vital to space travel, making it the most essential and valuable commodity in the universe.

23 total · 1 choice · 9 major · 13 minor

ThemeLevelMotivation
transnational conflict over a shared resource choice Two rival aristocratic houses, the House of Atredies and the House of Harkonnen, battled for control over a vital resource, called "the spice", which was found exclusively on the desert planet Arrakis (a.k.a. Dune).
desert planet major An interplanetary conflict between rival aristocratic houses unfolded on the desert planet Arrakis (a.k.a. Dune), and much was made of it being an arid desert.
father and son major Duke Leto Atreides and his son Paul.
imperialism major The House of Harkonnen, with the backing of the Emperor, was determined to gain control of Arrakis, crush its people, and exploit the planet for "the spice" - a most vital resource in the universe.
interstellar space travel major A highly coveted substance, called "the spice", enabled instantaneous interstellar travel through the folding of space.
mind control ability major An element of the story is that the Bene Gesserit order members use a mysterious power, known as "the Voice" as a means of controlling the actions of other people. For example, Paul and Lady Jessica got their Harkonned captors to free them by using this Bene Gesserit mind control technique.
mother and son major Lady Jessica and Paul.
precognition major Paul's exposure to the spice led him to have revelatory premonitions. Importantly, Paul had a vision of a "holy war" spreading across the universe in his name.
religious prophesy major Paul was the fulfillment of an ancient Fremen prophesy.
resistance movement major Paul led the Freyans to overthrow their Harkonnen overlords.