OnScreen
The sands of time Frank Herbert’s masterpiece “Dune” endures the test of time
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by john van becay
R
ealpolitik manipulation of world economies? Post-colonial power mongers squeezing Third World groups for valuable resources, with a little apartheid thrown in? Ruthless over exploitation of a planet? A mega drought desiccating everything? Sound like the latest headlines? It’s all in “Dune,” published in 1965. A young man on a remote desert planet is suddenly thrust into a death match against a brutal empire for the soul of the galactic future. Ring a bell? It’s the plot summary of “Star Wars,” which George Lucas gleefully ripped off from “Dune.” Vast alliances forming, dissolving and reforming only to betray one another all for a precious resource without which life collapses. Sound familiar? Yep, “Dune” foresaw this, too, over 50 years ago. “Dune,” by Frank Herbert, is generally acknowledged as the greatest sci-fi novel ever written. A cult favorite in the ‘60s, it has grown into a huge franchise prompting several attempts to capture its essence on film, “Dune,” then and now: The book cover, circa the 1960s, and the poster for the film, scheduled to hit theaters Fri., Oct. 22. with limited success. Most notably was the 1984 movie of the same name directed by fascination with messianic figures and the potential for their own David Lynch. He was so horrified at the studio’s final cut that he had his name removed from the credits. Though it mystified audi- corruption. Political power, betrayal, environmental exploitation and the savage treatment of a native population; the seductive ences and was panned by critics (despite including then-superstar power and danger of a latter-day Mahdi – such wide-ranging topSting), today the movie has assumed its own cult status. Lynch’s ics would seem enough for any book, even a classic. But Herbert “Dune” suffered from trying to squeeze the massive book of the was just getting started. same name into a single movie along with a storyline impossible By 1984, and the release of the original “Dune” movie, Herbert to follow without knowledge of the book. had achieved his own cult status, much to his dismay. “Dune” is Fast forward to 2021. Probably the most anticipated movie in partially a cautionary tale against creating savior figures as a soluyears – and delayed more than a year by COVID – the new “Dune” tion to our problems. Nevertheless, many nascent environmentaldirected by Denis Villeneuve hits theaters Oct. 22. Villeneuve wisely ists, green liberals and sci-fi fans held Herbert up as a limited this movie to the first half of the book; a sequel is planned. leader/savant, even a prophet, to his great discomfiture. However, Villeneuve and screen writers Jon Spaihts and Eric Roth updated Herbert was concerned about the environment and was instruHerbert’s work by gender switching pivotal characters and expandmental in organizing conferences to discuss ecology, the environing key roles of the Bene Gesserit, a quasi/religious society of mostly ment and how to ameliorate our impact upon the planet. women who for millenia have controlled breeding in an attempt to “Dune” is even more relevant today than it was in 1965. Rising influence the future. They manipulate politics and exhibit spooky oil prices, shrinking water resources, terrorism, climate change, a mental and physical prowess. damaged and reeling planet, greedy power plays by calloused govBut to first understand “Dune,” one must understand Spice, ernments to control valuable resources, Herbert foresaw it all. He the most coveted substance in the Empire. In Herbert’s far future, went on to write five more books in the “Dune” saga. His son it drives everything. The Bene Gesserit use the drug to enhance Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson have coauthored another 12. their psychic ability. It is essential for Guild Navigators who In the mid-1970s, I was a sci-fi fan yearning to be a sci-fi writer. guide interstellar travel at speeds faster than light. Spice extends I attended a writer’s conference in Washington State featuring life and vitality. And it is highly addictive. Great houses in this Herbert. He was affable, approachable and funny. Every particifeudal empire rise and fall based on control of Spice. In this farpant got a one-on-one with him. The encouragement Herbert flung future, it is the equivalent of oil. Of water. It is life and gave me during our conference has sustained me thru many dark power and a constant threat for those who possess it and certain hours of my writing. (FYI: Science fiction writers are some of the annihilation for those who oppose them. Spice is found on one most creative people on the planet. Not long after the conference planet only: Dune. with Herbert, I realized I simply hadn’t the chops to be one.) Herbert famously said that power does not corrupt. It attracts Herbert addressed our group of writers several times during our those who are easily corruptible. The author begins “Dune” by weekend with him. He was from a different time and held differshowing power wielded by the powerful. He then segues to the ent views, some of which would not be P.C. today. (He liked to oppressed fighting back. The Fremen are the outcast desert joke that there is only one plotline in all of Western literature: dwellers and natives of the planet Dune. Only they understand Boy meets girl. Girl gets into pickle. Boy gets girl out of pickle. the source of Spice, thus their exploitation. Their guerilla moveBoy tries to get pickle into girl.) ment deep in the desert has fought back for generations. When Nevertheless, he was a gentle soul with a generous spirit. Herbert Paul Atreides, the heir of the House Atreides, and his mother, saw the perils we face long before others. And though he would’ve Lady Jessica, a Bene Gesserit, land in their midst after a brutal beshuddered at the label “prophet,” visionary extraordinaire would be trayal, the Fremen sense Paul is more than a young prince on the an appropriate mantle for his mind-bending talent. Frank Herbert run. The Fremen have been waiting for a Messiah. Perhaps Paul is remains one of the brightest stars in the sci-fi firmament. ■ that leader. Which peels back another layer of “Dune” – Herbert’s
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Oct. 21, 2021 n 11
