D U N E

Part One

by

John Harrison

Based on the novel by Frank Herbert

Revisions 11/15/99

© 1999 New Amsterdam Entertainment, Inc.

Converted by duneinfo.com
 1.

A1 FADE IN:

A black void where...

A PLANET slowly emerges. Forming in orange/gold mists.

Desolate, monochromatic contours. No clouds. Just a thin
cover of cirrus vapor. And somewhere...

A mechanical voice...lecturing with monotonous precision.

VOICE
....Arrakis...Dune...wasteland of the
Empire. Wilderness of hostile deserts and
cataclysmic storms. Home to the monstrous
sandworm that haunts the vast desolation.
The only planet in the universe where can
be found...the SPICE. Guardian of health
and longevity, source of wisdom, gateway
to enhanced awareness. Rare and coveted
by noble and commoner alike. The spice!
Greatest treasure in the Empire...

And now...ANOTHER VOICE. Not mechanical.

BARON HARKONNEN
And so it begins. The trap is set. The
prey approaches...

Suddenly the planet becomes transparent. It's a HOLOGRAM!

And there behind it...

The face of BARON VLADIMIR HARKONNEN. Staggeringly obese.

Staring with intimidating intensity at the 3D globe suspended
in front of him. The calm of his voice is frightening.

BARON HARKONNEN
A glorious winter is about to descend on
House Atreides and all its heirs. The
centuries of humiliation visited upon my
family will finally be avenged.

Behind him...

MALE VOICE (RABBAN)

BUT ARRAKIS WAS MINE.

ANOTHER VOICE (FEYD)

Shut up, Rabban!

The Baron turns. REVEALING...

 2.

1 EXT. BARON'S SUITE...HARKONNEN PALACE - NIGHT

...his NEPHEWS...GLOSSU RABBAN...AKA "the Beast"...his fat

sweaty face twisted with rage. Standing with his brother...

FEYD-RAUTHA. Devastatingly handsome, well-built. Icy eyes.

RABBAN
I did what you said, Uncle. I made the
people cower. I crushed that vile
planet...

FEYD
He said "squeeze", brother, not "crush".

ACROSS THE ROOM...the Baron is floating in “suspensors” while

a beautiful young BOY gives him a massage.

BARON HARKONNEN
Rabban aspires to rule House Harkonnen
one day, Feyd, yet he can't even rule
himself. Explain our plan will you,
Mentat?

And he turns to...PITER De VRIES. Looking up from his

studies.
A gaunt, horrible looking man. with red-stained lips.

DE VRIES
The plan is elegant...and vicious, dear
Baron.

BARON HARKONNEN
Of course it is. I designed it.

DE VRIES
In order for the Empire to survive, the
spice must flow. But production has
become...
(with a look toward Rabban)
...inconsistent.

Rabban flushes with anger.

DE VRIES
In his wisdom, the Emperor has decided
only one man is honest enough and loyal
enough to be trusted with restoring Spice
production adequately. Duke Leto
Atreides...

For some reason, the Baron starts to laugh.

(CONTINUED)
 3.

1 CONTINUED:

PITER
The handsome Duke reluctantly agrees to
leave his beloved home on Caladan to
assume control of Arrakis.

BARON HARKONNEN
...temporarily interrupting eighty years
of Harkonnen rule and all the profits
that go with it...

RABBAN
(enraged)
YAAAAHHHH!!!!!

BARON HARKONNEN
I said "temporarily"...
(under his breath)
...you moron.

PITER
After a few minor disturbances and some
sabotage the Duke's warmasters assure him
things are under control. And then, at
the moment of his greatest confidence...

BARON HARKONNEN
The traitor strikes!

RABBAN
Traitor? Who?

BARON HARKONNEN
That remains my little secret for now.

FEYD
What about the Landsraad...the other Great
Houses? They're sure to protest...

BARON HARKONNEN
Perverting common wisdom, Nephew, is the
mark of all great conspiracies. Continue
Piter...

(CONTINUED)
 4.

2 CONTINUED

PITER
Other royal Houses will indeed protest.
But only as a dinner guest complains he's
eaten too much before asking for desert.

BARON HARKONNEN
You see, Nephews, a popular man arouses
jealousy. And Duke Leto is a very popular
man. The other great Houses will be glad
to be rid of him...even though they'd
never admit it.

And he pulls a small, jeweled box from his vestments.

INSIDE...glittery, golden powder. Spice, no doubt.
He takes a pinch. Inhales it deeply.

BARON HARKONNEN
The spice will flow. The Emperor will be
pleased. And House Harkonnen will be more
powerful than ever.

He turns back to the floating holovid of Arrakis, his face

framed by its oval shape.

BARON HARKONNEN
Alone and vulnerable...at the edge of the
universe...the valiant Duke Leto will
finally come face to face with fear.
(CAMERA moves in)
When I'm through, he won't know whom to
trust. Not even that Bene Gesserit witch
he sleeps with. They'll all be turning on
one another like rats in a flood.
(CAMERA moves closer and
closer)
By the time the traitor is fully
revealed...the fate of Atreides will
already be sealed.

The Baron's face finally evaporates behind the holovid planet

until finally...

A deafening EXPLOSION shatters it. And through the smoke...

 5.

2 INT. A ROYAL PALACE...SOMEWHERE - NIGHT

CAMERA (POV) is racing through...

Chaos and panic. People fleeing in all directions.

Savage hand-to-hand combat rages. Soldiers in blue
(Harkonnen) uniforms slaughtering those in green and black
(Atreides).

OUTSIDE...the pounding "thump" of ORNITHOPTERS.

Accompanied by the scream of rockets.
Plasma fire rips the night sky.

VOICE
FATHER...FATHER...!!!

CAMERA speeds down corridors. Across interior courtyards.

Searching until...there...in the middle of the maelstrom...

A tall, elegant figure. Formal Atreides Officer dress.

Back to CAMERA. Rigid. Unmoving. Seemingly indifferent.

VOICE
FATHER....

The figure slowly turns. A chiseled, implacable face.

Dominated by cold, unblinking eyes. DUKE LETO ATREIDES.
A smile pulls at his mouth. But as CAMERA gets closer...

It's no longer a smile. It's a grimace. The rictus of death.

The skin tightens and shreds. Falling away until all that's
left is a dull, colorless skull.

VOICE
FATHER!!!!

And that's when...

A YOUNG MAN awakens with a desperate gasp.

Eyes wild and frightened. Sweat pouring off him.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL...

3 INT. PRIVATE APARTMENT...ATREIDES SPACE FRIGATE

PAUL ATREIDES. Handsome and intense. And barely 20.

VOICE
(in the background)
...you must remember, Paul, that our
civilization rests upon a political
tripod...the most unstable of structures.

(CONTINUED)
 6.

Paul slowly gets up. Fighting nausea.

Crossing the room unsteadily...

...past a desk where the small HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGE of n man

(DR. YUEH) continues to speak. Paul ignores it.

DR. YUEH'S IMAGE

A deceptive balance of power exists
between the Emperor, the congress of
Great Houses...and the supposedly
impartial Spacing Guild with its
invulnerable monopoly on interstellar
transport...

SWIISSSSSHHHHH

The air-lock of the door across the room releases.

LADY JESSICA ATREIDES enters. Stunningly beautiful and regal.

She sees Paul...

...at a WINDOW that looks out into the interior of...

A SPACING GUILD HEIGHLINER. A magnificent, seemingly endless

interstellar cargo hold where hundreds of ATREIDES FRIGATES
are moored.

DR. YUEH'S IMAGE

(continuing)
Complicated by a feudal trading culture
that turns its back on most science, our
society is a tangled web of competing
forces that threaten to...

Jessica comes over to his desk. Presses a button there.

The tutorial abruptly ends. Dr. Yueh vanishes.

JESSICA
Dr. Yueh would be disappointed.

PAUL
Then he'd know how I feel.

JESSICA
It's never easy to leave one's home,
Paul. But think of this as a new
adventure. The adventure of a lifetime.

PAUL
You call this an adventure? Giving up our home
for...what? Some dry speck of
dust...in the middle of nowhere?

(CONTINUED)
 6a.

3 CONTINUED:

JESSICA
You are a Duke's son, Paul. You have
duties, responsibilities...

(CONTINUED)
 7.

PAUL
How could I ever forget? Every day I have
to eat "responsibility" for
breakfast...and "honor" for dinner.

JESSICA
Sarcasm doesn't become you, Paul.

He turns away. A little ashamed. But still upset.

PAUL
I just want to see my father.

JESSICA
So do I.

She caresses his face. Eyes gleaming with that passionate,

unconditional love only a mother can have for a son. Then...

JESSICA
The Reverend Mother has arrived. She
wants to see you before we depart...

She heads to a closet. Starts pulling out his formal attire.

Paul watches her a moment. Then...

PAUL
Why are you afraid of her, Mother?
(off her look)
The pitch of your voice gives you away.

JESSICA
(feigning calm)
She was my teacher at the Bene Gesserit
school. Now she's the Emperor's
Truthsayer.

PAUL
You haven't answered my question.

JESSICA
(after a beat...)
I've given you more Bene Gesserit
training than boys ever get. She wants to
see what kind of student you've been.

A4 OMIT
 8.

4 INT. ATREIDES FRIGATE GUEST CHAMBERS.....SHORT TIHE LATER

Spare, but exquisite. Paul and Jessica enter to FIND...

REVEREND MOTHER HELEN MOHIAM. An old woman in a long black

gown and hooded white headdress. Sitting solemnly on a
tapestried chair at the far end of the room.

She glares at Paul. Predatory eyes. Clear and unblinking.

REVEREND MOTHER
You've given him your face, Jessica. But
the father has given him his eyes...

JESSICA
And his courage.

REVEREND MOTHER
We shall see. Come here, boy. Let me have
a better look at you.

But Paul doesn't move. Jessica stiffens.

REVEREND MOTHER
If you know what's good for you, you'll
do as I say,

She's using THE VOICE. A combination of overtones and

harmonics that is hypnotic and compelling.

Paul involuntarily stops forward. But...

He suddenly stops himself. Fighting the urge.

PAUL
I'll be the judge of what's good for me.

The Reverend Mother glares at him with surprise...and not a

little alarm. His resistance is unexpected:

(CONTINUED)
 9.

4 CONTINUED:

REVEREND MOTHER
Your mother has taught you many things, I
see.

Paul still doesn't move.

REVEREND MOTHER
She tells me...you dream.

Paul suddenly loses concentration. Turns to his mother.

A look of betrayal sweeps over him.

JESSICA
Your Reverence, if I could...

REVEREND MOTHER
You're dismissed, Jessica.

Without another word, Jessica curtsies...and leaves.

PAUL
Since when is it permitted to treat the
Lady Jessica as a common servant?

REVEREND MOTHER
She was a common servant. My servant. And
a good one, too...until she was
sixteen...and your father, took her....
(beat)
Now, I would like to hear about your
dreams.

PAUL
They're just dreams.

Paul clearly doesn't want to discuss this.

REVEREND MOTHER
(the VOICE; more intense)
About what?

PAUL
Men dying...

REVEREND MOTHER
Which men?

PAUL
(after a beat)
I don't know.

REVEREND MOTHER
You're lying. What else?

(CONTINUED)
 10.

4 CONTINUED:

PAUL
Sometimes I see strange people...
worshipping water...and singing...a
strange name...my name, I think...and
then...wars...terrible wars...millions
dying....

REVEREND MOTHER
Jihad!

PAUL
...sometimes there's a girl...a skinny
girl...and she frightens me...her eyes
are strange...blue, all blue...

REVEREND MOTHER
And do you know this girl?

PAUL
No.

REVEREND MOTHER
What do you think they mean, these dreams
of yours?

PAUL
Why don't you tell me?

He's using the VOICE, too!

Impudent. Defiant. Maximum attitude.

The Reverend Mother studies Paul intensely a moment. Then...

She pulls a small box from her robes.

REVEREND MOTHER
Do you know what this is?

She holds it out. A black metallic cube. Reflects no light.

One side is open. But inside...emptiness without end.

REVEREND MOTHER
It is a test, young Atreides.

PAUL
A test for what?

REVEREND MOTHER
Put your hand inside...and we'll see.

The VOICE. More intense.

Paul comes over to her. Compelled. But curious. Intrigued.

As he slowly puts his hand in...

(CONTINUED)
 11.

4 CONTINUED:

PAUL
What's in it?

REVEREND MOTHER
Pain.

Paul starts to jerk back. But...

The Reverend Mother suddenly grabs his throat.

So fast Paul has no time to react.

C.U. HER FINGERTIP. Wearing a silver thimble with a

glistening needle poised at Paul's jugular.

REVEREND MOTHER
I hold the Gom Jabbar at your throat,
young Atreides. Keep your hand in the box
and live. Remove it and die.

And with that, her eyes close. Her breathing slows.

She's going into some kind of trance.

Paul looks down. And he's amazed. Because...

The BOX becomes transparent. Vanishing right before his eyes.

And that's when....the pain comes.

His hand starts to smoke. Starting to burn. Literally.

He glances back at the doors.

REVEREND MOTHER
She won't save you.

He struggles to remain still. The pain gets worse.

PAUL
(chanting)
"I must not fear...fear is the mind
killer...

REVEREND MOTHER
That's right, boy. Pray...

Paul stares at his hand in horror. The skin is curling.

The flesh is starting to peel away. The bones are on fire.

PAUL
(straining)
...I will face my fear...and it will pass
through me...and when it's gone there
will be nothing...only I will remain..."

(CONTINUED)
 12.

4 CONTINUED:

The old woman concentrates harder...harder...until...

Her eyes fly open in terror. She falls back...exhausted.

Paul looks down. The BOX has returned. He can't see his hand.
But the pain has stopped. As if it never happened.

REVEREND MOTHER
No woman child ever withstood that much
pain.

Paul slowly holds up his hand. There's not a mark on it._

He's astonished.

REVEREND MOTHER
You're a gifted boy, young Atreides. But
you have much to learn.

The DOOR behind Paul suddenly opens. Jessica is there.

Shuddering with relief as she approaches. But...

Paul backs away. Glares at her reproachfully.

PAUL
You should have warned me.

REVEREND MOTHER
She was forbidden!

JESSICA
(to Paul)
I'm sorry...

Paul meets her eyes. Then...he stomps away toward the door.

JESSICA
Paul...

He never turns back. And once he's gone...

REVEREND MOTHER
(to Jessica; furious)
You were supposed to have a daughter.

5 INT. ATREIDES FRIGATE CORRIDORS.....MOMENTS LATER

Jessica and the Reverend Mother move swiftly down these

sterile, quiet hallways.

REVEREND MOTHER
You've hopelessly complicated matters. An
Atreides daughter could've have been wed
(MORE)

(CONTINUED)
 13.

5 CONTINUED:

REVEREND MOTHER (cont'd)

to the Harkonnen heir. The feud between
the Houses could have been ended.

JESSICA
My Duke wanted a son.

REVEREND MOTHER
You arrogant girl. Putting his desires
above our interests! How dare you turn
your back on the centuries of our
breeding programs?

JESSICA
I'll pay for my mistakes.

REVEREND MOTHER
And your son will pay with you! We'll do
what we can. He may be worth saving. But
for the father...nothing.

They finally stop at the entrance to...

Atreides Frigate DOCKING BAY...where...

A small but elegant IMPERIAL SHUTTLE CRAFT is moored.

Armed Imperial Troops flank the bay doors.

REVEREND MOTHER
Our missionaries have done their work on
Arrakis. Cultivated the myths of the
peasants there. If necessary, you will
exploit them.

JESSICA
Predicting the future...then plotting to
make it so...

REVEREND MOTHER
It may be your only chance.

And she turns abruptly. Glides away toward the Shuttle.

Leaving Jessica standing there...alone.

6 OMIT

7 INT. GYMNASIUM, ATREIDES FRIGATE.....SOMETIME LATER

Paul and another man are battling hand-to-hand in the center

of a small ring. But their bodies are shrouded by...

(CONTINUED)
 14.

7 CONTINUED:

Highly charged DEFENSIVE SHIELDS. Distorting and blurring

their forms. "Cracking" and sparking with each blow.

ACROSS THE ROOM...a grizzled OLD MAN with red-stained lips

studies every move with extreme concentration. THUFIR HAWAT.

Paul finally backs off. Reaches down to his belt and...

Turns off his SHIELD. It simply evaporates.

PAUL
Good thing you don't play your baliset as
badly as you fight, Gurney-man.

The other fighter disarms his shield. It's GURNEY HALLECK.

Muscular, weathered...a grotesque scar across his jaw.

GURNEY
Careful, you young pup, or I might just
drop this shield and smack your bottom
like a baby's.

PAUL
Too bad Duncan isn't here. Then I could
get a real workout.

GURNEY
Now you've done it....

And without warning, he reactivates his shield and attacks!

Paul barely has time to duck...and reactivate his shield.

PAUL
(laughing)
Whoa...Gurney-man...never submit to
anger. Wasn't that my first lesson?

But Gurney just keeps coming. The room fills with smoke as
the shields engage.

The two of them go at it across the room.

Back and forth. Back and forth. Neither fighter yields.

Hawat watches intensely until finally...

They tangle up in each other's death grip.

Paul's dagger subtly pierces Gurney's shield at his throat.

PAUL
Fast on defense. Slow on attack. Forgot
your first principal, Gurney-man.

GURNEY
Not bloody likely. Look down, lad.

(CONTINUED)
 15.

7 CONTINUED:

And Paul does. There...poised at his groin...Gurney's dagger.

The two of them finally separate. Panting and spent.

GURNEY
Perhaps you'd like to sing soprano next
time I play.

PAUL
Sorry, Gurney. Guess I just not in the
proper mood today.

GURNEY
Not in the..."mood"? Mood is a thing for
cattle and women, young pup. Mood is not
for fighting. Even with the "weirding"
ways your mother teaches you.

Paul's attitude suddenly darkens. He unbuckles his shield

belt. Drops it to the floor.

PAUL
That's enough for today. I don't want to
embarrass you anymore.

He slowly leaves the room. Leaving Hawat and Gurney confused.

HAWAT
It's that old Bene Gesserit witch.
Something she said...or did...

GURNEY
We'd better get to the bottom of it,
Thufir. Harkonnen assassins won't bother
to ask if he's "in the mood".

8 EXT. DEEP SPACE.....SHORT TIME LATER

That massive Spacing Guild Heighliner hovers like some man-

made moon hundreds of miles above...

PLANET CALADAN. A blue and green jewel.

Floating peacefully in the distance.

A SHUTTLE CRAFT appears. Bearing the unmistakable SEAL of the

SPACING GUILD. Gliding into...

A9 INT. CARGO HOLD, SPACING GUILD HEIGHLINER.....LATER

A massive, seemingly endless cavern.

Lit by some unseen source. Dim but pervasive.

(CONTINUED)
 16.

9 INT. HEIGHLINER DOCKING BAY SAME

A KLAXON starts to wail.

A cadre of thin, vampiric men waits at the end of a long

carpet. Hollow eyes. Standing with stiff formality.
SPACING GUILD AGENTS. Watching as...

The bay doors release. More Guild Agents emerge. Flanking a

strange, ornate CARRIAGE with the Spacing Guild seal.
Suspended mid—air among them but moving of its own volition
somehow.

The bay is deathly silent as the Agents descend the ramp with
their strange cargo. Marching like monks to vespers.

10 INT. PAUL'S APARTMENT, ATREIDES FRIGATE — SAME

Paul is staring out the window at the vast interior of the

Heighliner where...

The Spacing Guild Shuttle is decked in the distance.

HAWAT'S VOICE
They've brought the Navigator...

Paul turns. Hawat's moving up to the window next to him.

PAUL
It's said they depend on the Spice.
Without it they can't navigate.

HAWAT
It is said...

PAUL
They used to be human, didn't they?
Before the Spice...changed them...

HAWAT
I don't think anyone knows for sure.

PAUL
I've never seen one.

HAWAT
No one has.

Paul turns to his old friend.

A mischievous smile on his face.

(CONTINUED)
 17.

10 CONTINUED:

HAWAT
It's forbidden, Paul! So don't endanger
our shipping privileges trying.

He shrugs. "Who me?"

But as he turns back to the windows...

PAUL
Will it be as bad as they say, Thufir?
Arrakis...

HAWAT
The storms, perhaps. They can eat the
flesh off your bones as you stand. Only
thing that doesn't fear an Arrakis storm
is the giant worm.

PAUL
It's not worms I worry about.

HAWAT
Your father is formidable man, Paul. Even
the Emperor fears him. I'd sooner cast my
fate with him than trust anything some
Bene Gesserit hag said.

PAUL
Why do you hate them? The Bene
Gesserits...

HAWAT
I don't hate them. I don't trust them. I
am a Mentat. I trust logic and
statistics. Not mysticism and prophecy.

PAUL
My mother is Bene Gesserit, Thufir.

HAWAT
And your father loves her deeply.

Paul glares at him. One eyebrow arched in mock seriousness.

HAWAT
Therefore...I love her, too.

And that mischievous smile sweeps over Paul again.

HAWAT
I'm too old to be diplomatic.

(CONTINUED)
 18.

10 CONTINUED:

PAUL
(mock threatening)
Just remember...her blood is my blood. If
you're not careful, I might put a spell
on you.

Hawat shudders overdramatically. And Paul laughs. But...

Somewhere...a gentle high-pitched ALERT rings out.

PAUL
The Navigator.

HAWAT
Ready to fold space. Were on our way.
Let's find your mother.

And he heads back to the door.

Leaving Paul alone at the window.

11 INT. NAVIGATOR'S STATION/HEIGHLINER

Guild Agents are maneuvering that odd CARRIAGE Paul saw

earlier to a clear COLUMN OF GAS suspended from the ceiling.
Once the Carriage is securely attached below it...

The Agents back out of the station. The doors close.

The room is plunged into darkness except for...
The luminescent glow inside the column of gas.

The roof of the Carriage peels back and...

A GROTESQUE, WEBFOOTED CREATURE emerges.

Floating up into the column of gas.

Suddenly, the walls of the room seem to vanish.

Replaced by galaxies, constellations, solar systems.

The NAVIGATOR surveys the universe from his cocoon of gas.

Then...he extends a finger...pointing to...
A distant STAR in SPACE. It glows brighter.

He extends his other hand. Pointing to...

A STAR opposite the first. It starts to glow. And now...

A LOUD HISS. The column fills with a rush of more gas.

12 EXT. THE HEIGHLINER IN SPACE

Suddenly...everything around the giant ship starts to move.

Stars, planets. But the Heighliner itself remains stationary.

(CONTINUED)
 19.

12 CONTINUED:

Everything moves faster and faster. It's as if time itself is

speeding ahead. Passing through the ship.

A black, endless vortex forms under it. Swirling and churning

like a giant whirlpool until...

The Heighliner drops down into it and...

The void literally folds in around it.

And suddenly...

The blur is gone. And the stars return.

The Heighliner has vanished.

END ACT ONE

 20.

ACT 2

FADE IN:

13 EXT. DESERT...PLANET ARRAKIS - DAY

Vast rolling dunes Of golden sand. Sculpted by the wind.

No sign of human or animal presence anywhere.
Just endless, lifeless silica.

CAMERA skims this ocean of dust...approaching a huge MOUNTAIN

wall. Knifing up out of the desert like some jagged, half-
buried sword.

And on the other side of it...shielded from the unmerciful

wasteland...

A squat and ugly metropolis. Monochromatic and austere.

Buildings blend together in a beige labyrinth of avenues and
side-streets. And in the center of it all...

A large walled compound of several buildings and spacious

courtyards. Any attempt at elegance must share space with
sand. Everywhere. Pervasive, inescapable sand.

15 INT. TERRACES....ROYAL PALACE - DAY

DUKE LETO ATREIDES stands alone. Lean and severe.

The same chiseled, implacable face as in Paul's dream.
Except...

Those fierce, unblinking eyes seem tired and tense as they

study a thick report of some kind. He never HEARS...

DUNCAN IDAHO slowly approaching from behind.

Younger than the Duke. Feral good looks.
He coughs gently to alert Leto.

DUKE LETO
My son always says you have a feline
grace, Duncan.

IDAHO
I didn't want to startle you, m'Lord.

Leto hands him the report.

(CONTINUED)
 21.

15 CONTINUED:

DUKE LETO
The latest emigration reports.

And his tone of voice leaves no doubt: not good.

IDAHO
They fear our regime will be as bad as
the Harkonnen's.

DUKE LETO
We're losing too many. Spice hunters,
drivers, weather scanners...dune men
we'll need.

IDAHO
Should I..."persuade" some to stay?

DUKE LETO
No. I have something more important for you
to do.
(beat)
I need you to go into the desert, Duncan.

This takes Idaho back a moment.

IDAHO
The Fremen?

DUKE LETO
I'm getting reports of hundreds...perhaps
thousands...in villages...what they call
"sietches" the deep desert...beyond
the mountains...

IDAHO
The Harkonnen sneered at the desert
people. Hunted them for sport. I doubt
they expect any better from us.

DUKE LETO
Then we have to change that. We're going
to need allies here, Duncan. I want you
to find their leader...this "Liet" I keep
hearing about...

IDAHO
A phantom. He may not even exist. Could
even be many different men...

DUKE LETO
Then find out. Negotiate patience so I
can demonstrate our good intentions with
(MORE)

(CONTINUED)
 22.

15 CONTINUED:

DUKE LETO (cont'd)

deeds. If I lucky, they will judge all
of us by you.

IDAHO
You honor me, sir.

DUKE LETO
I'm endangering you, and I know it. But
you're the only one I can trust with
this.

Before Idaho can respond...A LIEUTENANT steps onto the

balcony. Bows to Late.

LIEUTENANT
The Heighliner shuttle is arriving,
m'Lord. Dr. Yueh is there to meet it.

DUKE LETO
Have him bring my family here directly.

The Lieutenant bows and leaves.

Leto notices Idaho's disappointment.

DUKE LETO
I know you wanted to see Paul, Duncan.
He's going to be disappointed, too. But
no one can know of this mission.

He reaches out to clasp Idaho's hands. Then...

Idaho backs off. Bows formally...and is gone.

Leto watches him go with a melancholy expression.

16 INT. MILITARY HANGAR OUTSIDE ARRAKEEN CITY - DAY

Atreides FRIGATES, 'THOPTERS and other military hardware are

parked on the tarmac outside the huge hangar doors. SOLDIERS
are everywhere unloading crates and vehicles. And...

DR. WELLINGTON YUEH...the man from Paul's holovid...painfully

thin...waiting by a mag-lev hover-carriage...mopping sweat
from the diamond Suk tatoo on his forehead...is watching...

JESSICA and PAUL coming into the hangar from a transport

shuttle. Accompanied by a tense and alert contingent of
Atreides bodyguards.

JESSICA.
(gently embracing Yueh)
Yueh, dear friend...

(CONTINUED)
 22a.

16 CONTINUED:

DR. YUEH
You have never looked more beautiful,
m'Lady.

(CONTINUED)
 23.

16 CONTINUED:

Then...turning to Paul...

DR. YUEH
And you, my prized student, you've been
hard at work at the tutorials I sent,
yes?

Paul and Jessica exchange a quick look.

PAUL
Most informative, Dr. Yueh.

DR. YUEH
(smiling slyly)
I intend to find out. Well then, off we
go. Our Duke is impatient to see you.

And he ushers them into the hover-carriage.

17 EXT./INT. HOVER-CARRIAGE.....MOMENTS LATER - DAY

Jessica, Paul and Yueh sit behind the driver and bodyguards.
Outside their windows, the city sweeps past.

JESSICA
(staring out the window)
Such a dusty little garrison town...

DR. YUEH
A testament to the harsh climate of the
place.

Jessica notices...A MAN in the street.

Standing at an old, wobbly cart.

MAN
(calling out)
Soo-soo-Sook! Soo-soo-Sook! Ikhut-eigh!
Ikhut-eigh! Soo-soo-Sook!

JESSICA
What's he doing?

A small crowd quickly gathers around him...urgently shoving

cartons and jugs at him.

DR. YUEH
A water-seller, m'Lady. You never need
bother with the likes of them. The
cistern at the palace holds fifty
thousand gallons...
(MORE)

(CONTINUED)
 24.

17 CONTINUED:

DR. YUEH (cont'd)

(off Jessica's look)
...and it's always kept full.

PAUL
What's wrong with their eyes?

Yueh turns to see. what Paul's looking at.

OUT THE WINDOWS (POV)...

Clusters of strange looking people in shapeless sack

clothing. Wrinkled, prune-like skin. Undernourished bodies.
Most of their faces hidden behind rough burlap-like scarves.

DR. YUEH
Those are Fremen. Desert people....

They stare back at Paul as he passes.

With their deep BLUE EYES. No whites at all.

DR. YUEH
It's the spice. Everywhere. In the air,
the food. It saturates the blood.

JESSICA
They seem so...frail.

DR. YUEH
Don't underestimate the Fremen, m'Lady.
The Harkonnen did and often regretted it.

Paul is mesmerized by these strange people and...

Their seductive, mysterious eyes.

18 INT. ARRAKEEN PALACE - DAY

Duke Leto hurries down grand staircase into the Great Hall to
meet...

Paul and Jessica. Entering with Yueh and those intense

bodyguards. Paul is stiff and formal until...

Leto steps up. Pulls him into a tight hug. And then...
He turns to Jessica. They take each other's hands.
Drink each other in with their eyes.

DUKE LETO
Finally, beauty has arrived to hold back
the wilderness.
 25.

19 INT. ARRAKEEN PALACE CORRIDORS.....LATER - DAY

Fremen servants are unloading and moving boxes and trunks.

Atreides soldiers are scanning walls, floors, ceilings.
Others are installing equipment...or patrolling.

Leto leads Jessica, Paul and Yueh through the confusion.

JESSICA
Guards everywhere. We didn't have to live
like this on Caladan...

DUKE LETO
The family apartments are in the West
Wing. And now that you're here, I'll have
the furniture brought up...

Jessica stops him. Confused.

JESSICA
But...where have you been staying then?

DUKE LETO
I have quarters in one of the barracks.

JESSICA
My poor Leto...

DUKE LETO
Perfectly comfortable. Good to be close
to the men in the early going. Besides...
(quietly; tenderly)
I wanted to wait for you before truly
settling in.

ACROSS THE ROOM...

PAUL
What are these?

He's standing by the massive doors to the formal Dining Hall.

And on the wall beside them...

A row of ORNATE TILE WASHBASINS. With gold towel racks above.

As Paul passes his hands under the faucets...
Gloriously clear, sparkling WATER flows.

DR. YUEH
An old custom, I told. Guests
ceremoniously splash water on the floor
after washing their hands.

(CONTINUED)
 26.

19 CONTINUED:

And he demonstrates. Dropping a towel to the floor when he's

finished.

Sure enough, A SERVANT WOMAN appears as if out of nowhere.

Scoops up the dropped towel in a silver bowl.
Vanishes again just as suddenly.

DR. YUEH
(re the Servant)
They save the squeezings.

JESSICA
Demeaning custom.

But she's interrupted by...Thufir Hawat...

Approaching from another room.

HAWAT
Idaho has prepared for us well, m'Lord.

PAUL
Duncan? Where's Duncan? I want to show
him some moves I tried out on Gurney...

He and Hawat exchange a knowing smile.

DUKE LETO
I've got him preoccupied with official
business at the moment. You're going to
have be patient...

And Paul looks disappointed.

HAWAT
(to Leto)
I've assembled the General Staff as you
requested.

And with that, he's gone.

JESSICA
No...not there....

The Duke and Paul look over to SEE...

Several servants mounting a scarlet tapestry on the wall.

The Atreides crest. A proud and magnificent HAWK.

JESSICA
(going to them)
That hangs in the foyer. The first thing
visitors must see. This is House Atreides
now.

(CONTINUED)
 27.

19 CONTINUED:

She turns to Leto who smiles warmly.

The servants mutter to themselves as they remove the

tapestry. A strange, complex language. But...

JESSICA
(responding)
Ya malu al-ak ma Harkonnen. Al-diq la
dume tanquiyya.
(subtitled)
We are not like the Harkonnen. You will
be treated with respect.

The servants freeze. She is speaking their language.

And they are more awed than chagrined.

CLAP...CLAP...

They turn to SEE...

A small gray-haired WOMAN in a shapeless sack dress.

Wrinkled and withered. Bottomless blue eyes. A Fremen!
But wiry and tense. Very tough and strong, no doubt.

WOMAN
(to the servants)
From now on, we speak the Lady's language
at all times!

The servants nod.

DR. YUEH
The Shadout Mapes, m'Lady. Head of
household staff....

The old woman bows to Jessica.

DUKE LETO
Show m'Lady to our apartments, Mapes. See
to it she has anything she needs.
(to Jessica)
I'll join you there after the briefing.

Another silent exchange between Jessica and Leto. Speaking

passionately to each other with their eyes.

NEARBY...Paul is watching the servants re-hang the tapestry.

Especially one of them...a girl about his age: Feral eyes.

His stare makes her nervous: She drops her end of the rug.
He smiles. Moves over to help her, but...

(CONTINUED)
 28.

19 CONTINUED:

DUKE LETO
Come, Paul. The men are waiting.

PAUL
Me? Right now?

DUKE LETO
It's time you participated.

And he sweeps out pf the room. Paul reluctantly follows.

Throwing a glance back at the servant girl who won't look at
him.

Jessica watches them go until...

She feels Mapes' stare.

20 OMIT

A21 INT. CORRIDORS, ARRAKEEN PALACE - DAY

Jessica is following Mapes through these stark, ominous

corridors.

MAPES
I've had the girls sandscrub these walls
to within a millimeter of their frames.
The Harkonnen stench is finally gone....

But Jessica is distracted by something she sees.

Before Mapes is aware...

Jessica drifts off to an insignificant-looking staircase that

leads to...

B21 INT. A SMALL GREENHOUSE.....MOMENTS LATER

Plants everywhere. Strange, exotic plants. innocuous

Jessica comes into the room. Surprised at the sight.
Mapes finally follows. Notices Jessica's curiosity.

MAPES
Built by the off-worlders many years
ago...

And her tone is dismissive.

(CONTINUED)
 29.

B21 CONTINUED:

MAPES
A chapel for the memories of what they
left behind when they came here...

JESSICA
(almost to herself.)
A thousand people could survive a year on
the water it takes to keep this place a
month.

MAPES
And the Harkonnen never let us forget it,
M'Lady.

Jessica turns to her.

JESSICA
Your name...Shadout...it means "well-
dipper", doesn't it?

A beat. Mapes studies Jessica.

MAPES
I was raised in the desert sietches,
Noble Born.

JESSICA
Refer to me as "my Lady", Mapes. I am not
Noble Born.

Mapes' eyes narrow. It's a strange moment. Each woman seems

to be taking the measure of the other. But...

JESSICA
I am the bound concubine of the Duke.

MAPES
There is no wife?

JESSICA
I'm his only companion...the mother of
his son.

A strange revelation sweeps over Mapes.

MAPES
You are Bene Gesserit...

JESSICA
(nodding)
I know the ancient tongues. The Bhotani
Jib...the Chakobsa..
(MORE)

(CONTINUED)
 29a.

B21 CONTINUED:

JESSICA (cont'd)
(as if to prove it...)
Miseces prejia. Andral t're petal Trada
cik buscakri miseces perakri...

Mapes take a step backward. Almost afraid now.

JESSICA
Tell the people, Mapes. This place
belongs to them now. As long as we rule
here, the Atreides family will keep it in
trust for them.

Mapes seems hypnotized by Jessica's presence. But...

VOICE
(outside)
Soo-soo-Sook! Soo-soo-Sook! Ikhut-eigh!
Ikhut-eigh! Soo-soo-Sook!

Jessica goes to the windows...where she can SEE...

THE STREET (POV)...where the SERVANT WOMAN who picked up

those wet towels is at the kitchen door. Calling out.

A small CROWD OF BEGGARS is gathering around her.

Urgently pushing jugs and cups...and precious coins at her.

Jessica's expression darkens.

21 INT. CORRIDORS OF ARRAKEEN PALACE.....MOMENTS LATER

Jessica marches up behind the servant at the door and...

Knocks the bowl of towels out of her hand.

JESSICA
Give them back their money!

MAPES
It is the custom, m'Lady...

JESSICA
This "custom" stops now.
(to the servant)
Do as I said.

(CONTINUED)
 30.

21 CONTINUED:

And reluctantly, the servant woman hands out the money.

JESSICA
(to the street)
Water will never again be sold at the
Atreides' door. At the end of every meal,
any person who calls at this door may
have a full cup. Free!

And she marches back into the palace.

A strange silence descends over the courtyard. People shuffle

nervously. They've never heard of such a thing apparently.

SERVANT
(to Mapes)
Is it possible? She brings Mah'di?

MAPES
The thing must take its course.

22 INT. DUKE LETO'S OFFICES...ARRAKEEN PALACE — DAY

Duke Leto at the head of the table.

Flanked by Thufir Hawat and Gurney Halleck.

Staff officers and aides complete the company. And...

Paul is among them. Bored. Fidgety.

HAWAT
...those Harkonnen scum have surely left
a trick or two we haven't caught yet,
we estimate no more than several cells
still operating.

GURNEY
We're infiltrating them as we speak.

DUKE LETO
What about the mining accounts?

HAWAT
The Harkonnen's spice operation took ten
billion solaris out of here every year...

An astonished gasp ripples through the room.

(CONTINUED)
 31.

22 CONTINUED:

DUKE LETO
Now, is there anyone here who still
thinks they've simply packed up and left?

No answer. Hawat continues. Eyes half-closed in Mentat

concentration.

HAWAT
We'll be lucky to hold maintenance and
salaries to thirty percent until we can
replace sabotaged equipment and lost
workers....

A somber quiet settles over the room.

DUKE LETO
Gurney, make contact with the smugglers
operating in the deep desert. Tell them
we'll ignore their operations from now on
as long as they make it worth our while.

HAWAT
The Emperor is extremely jealous of his
spice profits, m'Lord. It's one thing to
turn a blind eye to smugglers. It's quite
another to pocket some of their earnings.

A moment of shuffling at the table. And then...

PAUL
Then tell the him what we're doing.

Everyone turns to him. Surprised by his sudden participation.

PAUL
Bank the entire amount in his name...
Shaddam the Fourth...but then deduct it
from our taxes as legitimate expense. In
other words, cost of doing business.

Silence. Furtive glances around the room...until...

Gurney Halleck starts to laugh. A chuckle at first.

But growing louder and louder until it's a belly laugh.

Paul is not amused. "Why is he laughing". But...

GURNEY
I'd like to see the Barons face when he
hears of this!

(CONTINUED)
 32.

22 CONTINUED:

HAWAT
All the Harkonnen parasites who got rich
taking smuggler bribes will be flushed
into the open.

GURNEY
No more graft! How can the Emperor argue
with that? Publicly, at least...

And now everyone at the table is laughing.

GURNEY
Well done, lad. Well done.

Amid the laughter, Leto studies Paul with those hard eyes.

23 INT. DUKE LETO'S OFFICES...ARRAKEEN PALACE.....LATER

Paul is alone at the table now. Studying briefing papers.

ACROSS THE ROOM...Leto finishes a conversation with Hawat and

Gurney. After he dismisses them...

He comes back to Paul. Sits wearily next to him.

PAUL
Why did we come here, Father? And...don't
tell me it's a matter of honor or duty.
There's more to it, isn't there?

Leto studies his son. Takes a moment before he answers.

Then...

DUKE LETO
I've never hidden the truth from you,
son. I'm not going to start now. We've
been entrusted with the most profitable
commodity in the universe. That alone
makes us many enemies.

PAUL
The Harkonnen...

DUKE LETO
And not the only ones.

PAUL
Then why don't we call them out? Expose
them. In front of the Emperor...

(CONTINUED)
 33.

23 CONTINUED:

DUKE LETO
What if he's one of them?
(off Paul's surprise)
A hard lesson, son, but one you must
never forget. Plans within plans. Feints
within feints. In the world we live in,
self-interest governs all. The Emperor
needs us for the moment...to administer
Arrakis...to make the spice flow. But he
fears us, Paul. He fears my influence
among the Great Houses. If he decides
it's in his interests House Atreides
should fall, he will do nothing to stop
it. He may even invite opportunity to
hasten it.

PAUL
Then...if you're right...this place
is...a trap.

DUKE LETO
Perhaps. But knowing there's a trap is
the first step in evading it.

PAUL
(after a beat)
Plans within plans...

24 EXT. IMPERIAL PALACES...PLANET KAITAIN - DUSK

To establish. A truly awesome sight. Glittering in the

sunlight like a cluster of precious jewels.

25 INT. IMPERIAL PALACE - DUSK

The Reverend Mother is hurrying down these elegant corridors

accompanied by a gaggle of other Bene Gesserit Sisters.

REVEREND MOTHER
The boy he has depths in him, that's
certain....

BENE GESSERIT SISTER

But our breeding programs have not been
prepared for this...a boy!

ANOTHER BENE GESSERIT

...and not this soon...not born this
soon...

(CONTINUED)
 34.

25 CONTINUED:

REVEREND MOTHER
(cutting her off)
Too late for that! If he is the Kwisatz
Haderach, the one we've been seeking...we
must be prepared to bring him under our
control!

And the coven floats away into the darkness.

Whispering urgently among themselves.

CAMERA FINDS....The EMPEROR...SHADDAM IV. A stern, imposing

figure. Watching from an ornate balcony.

EMPEROR
(contemptuous)
...like a honking flock of geese...

A MAN emerges from the shadows.

A severe looking ferret of a man.

COUNT FENRING
One day we shall find a way to clip their
wings...hhhmmmmm?

EMPEROR
Our Empire is a fragile thing, Fenring.
Too often it requires tangled alliances
and uncertain loyalties.

COUNT FENRING
The Spice must flow Majesty. Of that
there is no uncertainty.

EMPEROR
(nodding)
We are at a delicate moment, dear Count.
Many terrible choices await the light of
our decisions.

COUNT FENRING
Hmmmmahhh....one can not know the light
without first knowing darkness.

And something passes between them.

Something portentous and unsettling.

26 INT. ROYAL APARTMENTS - ARRAKEEN PALACE.....LATER - NIGHT

Jessica and Leto are in bed. Tangled in each other's arms.

Clearly post-coital. Serene for the first time.

(CONTINUED)
 35.

26 CONTINUED

DUKE LETO
Perhaps I should have taken House
Atreides renegade...escaped to the
darkest corners of the universe..

JESSICA
You're too honorable for that, my love...

DUKE LETO
No. I'm too fed up. This endless feud
stops here.

JESSICA
The Harkonnen are a rogue clan, Leto. No
matter how much prestige they try to buy,
they'll never have the respect you've
earned.

DUKE LETO
My respect can't buy us peace. I would
trade it all for a place somewhere,
anywhere...if we could be alone...if Paul
could be safe...if the only thing I'd
ever have to worry about was your
happiness. Perhaps then I could finally
make you my...

But she quickly leans up to silence - him with kiss.

JESSICA
(gently)
Please. Don't talk about things that
can't be. You belong to your time. And I
was bred to my destiny. Even if I were
able to go back and choose, I would
change nothing.

And now he leans over to kiss her.

Tenderly at first but with growing passion.

And she responds. Eagerly pulling him to her until...

They're soon indistinguishable from one another.

27 INT. ROYAL APARTMENTS.....LATER - NIGHT

Leto sleeps peacefully...probably for the first time in many

nights. But he's alone in the bed...because...

Jessica is at the window. Staring out into the Arrakeen

night. Her face a tapestry of emotions.

(CONTINUED)
 36.

27 CONTINUED:

IN THE DISTANCE...(POV)...

The sharp, severe cliffs of the shield wall mountains.

Slicing magnificently into a stunning purple sky.
The rising heat from the ground makes everything shimmer.

For a moment, she allows herself to enjoy this stark beauty.

But then...something flashes in the mountains.

BLINK...BLINK BLINK...BLINK BLINK...BLINK

Rhythmic. Predictable. A code

BLINK...BLINK BLINK...BLINK BLINK...BLINK

There it is again. A different pattern this time.

And Jessica suddenly realizes what it is.
SOMEONE SIGNALLING. But who? And to whom?

END ACT 2
 37.

ACT 3

FADE IN:

28 EXT. ROCKY LEDGE...MOUNTAINS - NIGHT

The City of Arrakeen is spread out in the distance.

A small cluster of MEN are crouched among the rocks here.

Watching a LIGHT flashing in the mountain not far away.
The same flashing light Jessica saw.

REVEAL....DUNCAN IDAHO. Among the men.

Turning to the MAN next to him.
A gaunt man with deep blue eyes. A Fremen.

IDAHO
One of yours, Turok?

TUROK
(shaking his head)
Harkonnen mercenaries

Another LIGHT flashes. This one from the city.

From the ARRAKEEN PALACE!

Idaho starts to get up. But he's restrained.

TUROK
Save your strength for the desert,
Atreides. Word has already been sent to
the Palace.
(off Idaho's look)
We have people among you.

IDAHO
Are they trustworthy?

TUROK
They are Fremen.

Simple as that. And he turns toward the light in the

mountain.

TUROK
I'll take care of these.

IDAHO
You're not coming with me?

TUROK
My place is here. But my men will take
you to Stilgar.

(CONTINUED)
 38.

28 CONTINUED:

IDAHO
My orders are to meet Liet.

TUROK
Stilgar will decide.

He signals the other men. with hardly a sound, they move away
from the ledge...taking Idaho with them...

...leaving Turok behind with a few men. Staring darkly at...

That flashing light in the mountains.

And the one responding from the Palace.

DISSOLVE TO:

29 INT. ATREIDES PALACE TERRACES - MORNING

An eerie quiet pervades the place as...

Jessica moves purposefully through the Mansion. The only

other person here is a servant silently sweeping sand away.
But Jessica SEES...

DR. YUEH. In the shadows of the columns.

At a balcony window. Staring out over the city.

She glides silently up behind him. But...

He feels her presence almost immediately. Turns.
There are tears in his eyes. And...

JESSICA
I didn't mean to intrude...

DR. YUEH
Forgive me, m'Lady. I was enjoying the
morning...

He seems suddenly nervous. Like an errant child who's been

caught doing something he shouldn't.

DR. YUEH
For a moment I could imagine my wife
walking there...
(avoiding her eyes)
My Suk conditioning is supposed to rid me
of such unstable emotions as hope. Still,
it's all I have left...

JESSICA
We have spies everywhere, Yueh. If
she's...still alive, we'll find her.

(CONTINUED)
 39.

29 CONTINUED:

He wipes his eyes.

DR. YUEH
Seems almost a sacrilege...wasting one's
water in a land starved for it.

JESSICA
I'm sorry we dragged you here to this
dangerous place.

DR. YUEH
I came willingly, m'Lady.

She forces a grateful smile. Turns to leave.

But as he watches her go...tears well up in his eyes again.

Something grim...something fatalistic about it.

30 OMIT

31 INT. HANGAR, MILITARY LANDING FIELD...ARRAKEEN - DAY

Several huge pieces of machinery stand idle. Massive, bug-

shaped equipment. Under heavy guard as...

Hawat escorts Duke Leto, Paul and Gurney...who are wearing...

STILLSUITS. Strange, form-fitting BODY-SUITS. Shiny, slick-
surfaced material. Somewhat resembling wet-suits.

HAWAT
...only half the sandcrawlers are
operable. But we'll have most of the
ornithopters working soon.

He leads them to a massive machine nearby.

Various technicians are working on it. Dwarfed by it.

HAWAT
This is a Harvester/Factory. We have
about a thousand. As big as she is, there
are worms in the deep desert could
swallow one of these whole.

PAUL
Why don't we use shields?

VOICE
Shields are useless in the desert.

They all turn to SEE...

(CONTINUED)
 40.

31 CONTINUED:

A tall, chiseled MAN coming across the hangar towards them.

Accompanied by several Fremen. All wearing those same strange
suits.

MAN
Even a simple body-shield will call every
worm within a hundred kilometers. Drives
them into a killing frenzy.

HAWAT
(to Leto and the others)
The Imperial Ecologist, m'Lord. Dr.
Kynes.

KYNES
We prefer the traditional term,
Planetologist.

DUKE LETO
(re his clothes)
I understand we have you to thank for our
stillsuits.

KYNES
I hope they fit well...

And he moves in on Leto to check. But...

Gurney instantly steps forward protectively.
The Fremen suddenly move defensively to Kynes.
A tense stand-off.

Leto looks deep into Kynes eyes. Judges his sincerity and...
Waves Gurney off. The Fremen back off in response.

Kynes resumes his adjustment of Leto's stillsuit.

KYNES
This is basically a high-efficiency
filter and heat-exchange system. The skin
layer is porous. Perspiration passes
through heat filaments and salt
precipitators. Water is reclaimed in
catchpockets which you can draw from this
tube.

He pulls a small tube from the shoulder of Leto's suit.

KYNES
Properly adjusted, water loss is kept
under fifteen milliliters a day.

PAUL
Hardly measurable.

(CONTINUED)
 41.

31 CONTINUED:

KYNES
(turning to Paul)
That's the point.

And he moves in to examine Paul's stillsuit.

Paul notices the blue cast of his eyes.

PAUL
You're a Fremen...

KYNES
(with a gentle smile)
I am accepted in both sietch and village.
But I am in the Emperor's employ...

He stops adjusting Paul's suit abruptly.

KYNES
You've worn a stillsuit before?

PAUL
This is the first time.

KYNES
Someone adjusted it for you...

PAUL
No. It...seemed the right way to put it
on, that's all

A strange moment passes between them.

But Kynes breaks it off. Motions to the door.

KYNES
Well then...the desert awaits.

And he leads them toward the landing field where...

An unmarked ornithopter sits alone near the building.

Humming softly like a somnolent insect.

KYNES
I'm told you are an expert pilot, m'Lord.
Do the honor, if you please...

32 OMIT

A33 EXT. DESERT - DAY

The Ornithopter glides over the mountain ridges into the

desert beyond.
 42.

33 INT. THE ORNITHOPTER - DAY

Leto is at the controls. A confident pilot.

KYNES
Maintain forty degrees Southeast, m'Lord.
That's where the sandmaster is
concentrating his equipment...

Leto nods. Manipulates the 'thopter controls.

OUT THE WINDOWS...(POV)....

...the endless crescents of sand dunes...rippling like gentle

waves on an ocean.

DUKE LETO
How many men in a mining crew?

KYNES
As few as possible. Mining is a perilous
adventure at best, m'Lord. Harvesting
spice is a process of getting in and
getting out as quickly as possible.

DUKE LETO
Have any men been abandoned in the desert
and survived?

It takes a moment for Kynes to answer. As if he's calculating

the proper response. Finally...

KYNES
Men have walked out of the nearer zones
by crossing the rock areas where worms
seldom go.

PAUL
Fremen?

KYNES
Fremen.

GURNEY
There it is!

IN THE DISTANCE (POV)...a thick flume of dust rises off the

desert floor.

KYNES
That's the Harvester...

(CONTINUED)
 43.
33 CONTINUED:

GURNEY
And those are the scouts?

He's pointing to a flock of FOUR 'THOPTERS hovering in the

air not far from the dust funnel.

KYNES
Yes. Watching for wormsign.

DUKE LETO
Wormsign?

KYNES
Wherever there is spice, there are worms.

PAUL
Always...?

Again that caution in Kynes. Paul is noting it carefully.

KYNES
They defend the spice sands.

DUKE LETO
Why hasn't there been an effort to wipe
them out then?

Kynes visibly stiffens. But Paul is the only one to sense it.

KYNES
Too much area to cover. Too many worms.

But he can feel Paul's eyes. And he glances back at the boy.

Leto maneuvers the 'thopter closer to the operation on the

ground below. And now everyone can SEE...

A Harvester/FACTORY (POV). Working the desert floor.

KYNES
(staring down)
A rich field by the look of the color...

GURNEY
Where's the Carryall to evacuate the
Harvester? It should be in position...

Everyone scans the horizon. Only the 'thopters are visible.

Kynes reaches for a communicator.

KYNES
(into communicator)
Spotter Leader...this is Kynes with the
(MORE)

(CONTINUED)
 44.

33 CONTINUED:

KYNES
(cont'd)
observation party. What is the status of
Carryall evac?

A beat...

VOICE
Deposited the Harvester then left for
refueling as per procedure.

KYNES
Should have been back by now...

DUKE LETO
Is that wormsign?

Kynes turns in the direction Leto is looking.

A frown sweeps over him.

IN THE DESERT (POV)...there it is! A ripple in the sand.

Moving up and down like a wave in water.

KYNES
(into communicator)
Wormsign. Three degrees southwest.
Approximately forty kilometers...rapid
approach. He's got you...

There's a flurry of activity on the communicators.

VOICE
Sighting confirmed. Estimated
intercept...six minutes...

DUKE LETO
Do they always cut it this close?

KYNES
It is not standard procedure. The
Carryall should be here by now.

(CONTINUED)
 45.

33 CONTINUED:

IN THE DISTANCE (POV)...that moving mound of sand is visibly

closer now. On a direct path to the mining vehicle.

VOICE
Worm intercept...four minutes...

Kynes is visibly worried now. Leto can tell.

DUKE LETO
How many men on that Harvester?

KYNES
Usually twenty three, m'Lord.

PAUL
Are we sure the worm will attack?

KYNES
No doubt about it.

Another tense silence. Everyone scanning the horizon for sign

of the Carryall then checking the relentless approach of the
worm. Finally...

DUKE LETO
(grabbing the communicator)
Crew on the Harvester, this is Duke Leto
Atreides. We are coming in to take you
out. Cease operations and prepare for
evacuation. Spotters, land to the East.
Prepare to be boarded.

GURNEY
Those spotters can only carry four men in
addition to the crew, m'Lord.

KYNES
And we can only get another four in here.

PAUL
That's still three short....

DUKE LETO
Paul, you and Gurney get to work on those
rear seats. We'll jettison them after we
land. We'll get in another three.

A VOICE shouts over the communicator.

(CONTINUED)
 46.

33 CONTINUED:

VOICE
This Harvester Delta Ajax Niner. With
all due respect, sir, we have almost a
full load...

DUKE LETO
(into communicator)
Damn the spice! We can always get more.
Now prepare for evac! That's an order!

There is chaotic chatter now on the communicators as...

Leto maneuvers the controls sending the 'thopter into a dive.

VOICE
Worm intercept...three minutes.

Everyone looks out the window at...WORMSIGN (POV).

Still moving rapidly toward the Harvester.

KYNES
That sand is soft, m'Lord. With extra men
aboard, take-off may be risky...

DUKE LETO
I am not leaving the men to that monster!

34 EXT. DUNE - DAY

Dusty sand fills the air as...

Leto's 'thopter settles slowly several yards away from the

Harvester. Nearby...the other 'thopters land gently.

The hatch of Leto's vehicle flies open and...

Gurney and Paul heave several seats into the sand.

A35 OMIT

B35 INT. THE ORNITHOPTER - SAME

Leto's eyes are riveted to the Harvester.

Still operating on the desert floor.

DUKE LETO
Why aren't they coming out?

KYNES
They're hoping the Carryall will show up
at the last minute.

(CONTINUED)
 46A.

B35 CONTINUED:

DUKE LETO
(snapping up his communicator)
Sandmaster, this is a command from your
Duke. Cease operations and evacuate the
station immediately...or I will cut your
ship in two with a Lasgun!
 47.

C35 EXT. DESERT - SAME

Kynes steps out of the 'thopter to join Paul and Gurney by

the landing gear. Across the desert...

The beastly Harvester is still grinding along the desert

floor until...

The engines finally shut down. The desert suddenly becomes

deathly quiet. But that's when...

PAUL
I can hear it. The worm. I can hear it
coming!

He's right. A terrifying low HISS cuts the stillness.

Sounds like it's coming from...everywhere1

Finally...the main hatch of the Harvester bangs open

Men spill out of the machine's belly onto the skids.

GURNEY
(shouting)
OVER HERE! SEVEN OF YOU. THE REST IN
GROUPS TO THE SPOTTERS. GO! GO!

The men break rank. Racing to the different spotters.

Four miners race to the Leto's 'thopter.

GURNEY
RUN, YOU SAND DOGS. RUN!

VOICE
(in communicator)
Worm intercept...sixty seconds...

The HISS is getting louder. And that's when...

PAUL
THERE ARE MORE!

And they all turn to SEE...

THREE MORE MINERS. Emerging from the Harvester at the last

moment. Sprinting off into the sands toward distant rocks.

PAUL
(to Kynes)
WHAT ARE THEY DOING!?

But Kynes says nothing. He just watches them go.

The HISS is almost deafening now. The ground is shaking.

(CONTINUED)
 48.

C35 CONTINUED:

In the distance...a huge spray of sand shoots into the air.

Like the blow of giant whale. And...there it is...

THE WORM. Rising out of the desert like a colossus.

Magnificent. Terrifying.

D35 INT. THE ORNITHOPTER - SAME

Even Leto...despite his calm and self-control...can't hide

his amazement as he stares at the creature rising into the
sky.

E35 EXT. DESERT - SAME

Gurney and Paul are awestruck. The worm is still kilometers

away. But it's so huge it appears to be right on top of them.

Suddenly, it dives forward. Revealing its gargantuan vortex

of a mouth. Sword-like teeth and pulsating membranes.

The explosion of its impact is so loud, they're almost

knocked off their feet.

GURNEY
M'LORD....WE MUST GO NOW....
HURRY.....!!!!!

He hustles Paul toward the 'thopter. But...

The boy stops at the last minute. Turns back to...

Kynes. Staring at the throbbing leviathan thrusting into the

sand out of sight. Rocking the earth violently.

KYNES
(a whisper)
Shai-Hulud.....

END ACT 3
 49.

ACT 4

FADE IN:

F35 EXT. DESERT PLAIN - DAY

The 'thopter engines roar to life.

The Harvester sits lifeless behind them.

35 INT. ORNI'THOPTER - DAY

Paul and Gurney strap in as Kynes finally jumps aboard.

DUKE LETO
EVERYONE HOLD ON.

The 'thopter jerks...strains with the extra weight.

One of the MINERS gapes out the windows.

GURNEY
MOTHER OF MERCY.....HERE IT COMES!

They all turn to look at...THE HARVESTER (POV).

The sand beneath it is starting to roil.

Gurney's face is stern and hard. But...

Leto is calm and unblinking.

36 EXT. ORNITHOPTER - SAME

The Harvester is rocking wildly now. The sand underneath is

starting to swirl like a whirlpool. Flushing away.

The other 'thopters are airborne now.

But Leto's machine barely rises off the sand.

38 OMIT

37 INT. ORNITHOPTER - SAME

The 'thopter's engines strain.

Leto coolly continues to manipulate the controls.

A steely expression...betraying no emotion.
Kynes watches him. Studying him.

GURNEY
WE NEED ALTITUDE OR IT'LL SUCK US DOWN!

The 'thopter shudders violently. Finally getting off.

Lifting higher and higher. But that's when they all SEE....

(CONTINUED)
 50.

37 CONTINUED:

THE WORM. Erupting out of the sand like an ICBM missile.

It's coming straight at the 'thopter.
Mouth gaping. Teeth flashing...but...

It doesn't' want the 'thopter. It dives back into the earth

with a massive explosion. Swallowing the Harvester whole.

Paul watches his father's expression darken with fury as he

pilots the 'thopter toward the distant mountains. But then,
Paul NOTICES...

Kynes. Also staring down at the deep cut in the sand where
the worm disappeared...whispering silently to himself.

KYNES
(quickly; like a rosary)
Bless the Maker and his Water. Bless His
coming and His going. May His passage
cleanse the world...may He keep the world
for His people...

And that's when he feels Paul's stare. He turns.

Their eyes meet. But they say nothing.

39 EXT. MILITARY HANGAR.....LATER - DAY

Leto's 'thopter is now parked outside on the tarmac.

Leto, Paul and the others are coming into the hangar.

PAUL
What about the men we left behind?

DUKE LETO
(to Gurney)
Send a ship to search for them.

GURNEY
They were right beside the worm when it
came up, m'Lord.

DUKE LETO
Send a ship anyway!

And his tone leaves no room for debate. But...

KYNES
When God ordains a man's time to die, he
directs that man to the proper place...

Leto turns angrily to him. But Kynes meets his stare.

Almost as if the comment were directed at the Duke, himself.

(CONTINUED)
 51.

39 CONTINUED:

DUKE LETO
(to Gurney)
I want the pilots of that missing
Carryall delivered to me personally.
Someone is going to pay for this waste!

And with that, he storms away. Paul in tow.

KYNES
This is a different kind of man.

GURNEY
You've lived among Harkonnen scum too
long, I see.

KYNES
He risked his life...and that of his son
to save the men instead of the spice...
(beat)
A leader like that could have commanded
fanatic loyalty...

Gurney is struck by Kynes' use of the past tense.

But the gaunt "Planetologist" quickly moves off.

40 EXT./INT. HOVER-SHUTTLE...STREETS OF ARRAKEEN - DAY

Leto and Paul are on their way back to the palace.

Riding in silence until...

DUKE LETO
This is my legacy to you, son. The
greatest wealth in the universe...and a
never ending struggle to defend it...

PAUL
The ancients used to say danger and
opportunity were often the same thing,
father...

DUKE LETO
This is not one of Yueh's academic
exercises, Paul. This is a matter of
survival. Yours!

Paul is stunned silent by his father's abrupt tone.

DUKE LETO
We ruled Caladan from the air and the
sea. But here, we need desert power.
Desert power, Paul. Remember that.

(CONTINUED)
 52.

40 CONTINUED:

And he drifts off to his own thoughts again.

Leaving Paul to muse over what he's said until...
Paul NOTICES...

FREMEN. ON 'THE STREETS (POV). Some have stopped what they're

doing as the Royal Shuttle passes by.

FREMEN
(bowing, chanting)
Mah'di...Mah'di...

And now Leto notices.

FREMEN
Mah'di...Mah'di...

A41 EXT. HARKO CITY, PLANET GIEDE PRIME - NIGHT

Capital city of the Harkonnen clan. A bleak, chaotic maze of

ugly buildings and grotesque monuments.

CAMERA MOVES IN ON...the Harkonnen PALACE and...

41 INT. GYMNASIUM...HARKONNEN PALACE - DAY

A pack of startlingly well-built young men watches as...

The Baron's nephew, FEYD, warms up in the center of the

floor. Exercising with a short but lethal-looking sword.

His body glistens with oil.

His supple muscles define his body.

RABBAN'S VOICE
Leto is growing more popular with every
passing week....

CAMERA FINDS...the Baron's nephew. Pacing like a caged bull

in a royal box overlooking the gym. Behind him...

The Baron himself. Being attended to by a crew of servants

working on the mechanics of his suspensor harness.

RABBAN
...he's ruined our system of bribes and
patronage. He's been able to maintain the
spice quota despite our sabotage. Even
that mongrel ecologist, Kynes, is sending
the Emperor favorable reports...

(CONTINUED)
 53.

41 CONTINUED:

BARON HARKONNEN
(barely paying attention)
And what do you deduce from all this,
Nephew?

RABBAN
The longer we wait, the harder it will be
to dislodge him!

The Baron lets go a long suffering sigh.

BARON HARKONNEN
Piter, try again, will you?

From the shadows, the Mentat DE VRIES steps forward.

Playing with some sort of intricate, mechanical puzzle.

DE VRIES
Leto's continued success makes the other
Great Houses nervous, Rabban. We hear
whispers...petty jealousies...that could
easily give birth to considerable envy...

RABBAN
Bugger envy! We have a traitor among
them. I say strike new!

But laughter below distracts them...

A feral, almost naked YOUNG MAN is led into the arena to

square off against Feyd. Not as muscular as Feyd, but wiry
and hard. with the dangerous eyes of a trapped animal.

FEYD
(calling out to the Baron)
For your approval, Uncle.

BARON HARKONNEN
(re Feyd's opponent)
The slave is quite a specimen this time,
don't you think, Rabban? Perhaps Feyd
shouldn't be so casual today.

RABBAN
(disdainfully)
Perhaps my dear brother might even break
a sweat.

ON THE FLOOR...Feyd and his opponent engage in a flurry of

blows and swipes.

(CONTINUED)
 54.

41 CONTINUED:

BARON HARKONNEN
You see, Rabban, what you fail to
understand is that I want our dear Leto
to become popular. I want him to feel
secure. I want him to feel confident...

Feyd is toying with the Slave. But suddenly...

The Slave startles him with a quick series of kicks and

turns. Driving Feyd back across the floor.

BARON HARKONNEN
Confidence breeds distraction, Rabban...

Confused, Feyd backs off and pauses.

BARON HARKONNEN
...and that is when one is most
vulnerable...

And that's when the Slave makes a fatal mistake...

He charges. Hoping to take advantage of Feyd's surprise.
Instead...

It's Feyd who surprises him with a quick counter-move.

He suddenly rips his blade across the slave's chest.
The Slave screams. Falls.

The Baron watches intensely from his perch. Becoming more

excited with each of Feyd's slashes and the Slave's weakening
screams...until finally...

Feyd tires. Looks almost bored. With a final, urgent thrust,

he rams his blade up into the Slave's chin. It's over.

BARON HARKONNEN
Beautiful boy....such a beautiful boy....

And off Rabban's face twisting with jealousy and frustration.

42 EXT. BALCONY OVERLOOKING ARRAKEEN PALACE - DAY

Paul is sitting alone. Staring at a 3D image of...

A giant sandworm. Floating above a portable message cylinder.

DR. YUEH'S VOICE

Little is known about the giant sandworms
that inhabit the desert regions of
Arrakis. A solitary and reclusive
creature, the worm is difficult and
dangerous to observe...

(CONTINUED)
 55.

42 CONTINUED:

But then...he's distracted by...

Dr. Kynes. In the distance. Hurrying through the pillars at

the edges of the courtyards.

DR. YUEH'S VOICE

It is known worms are drawn to the
vibration and noise of mining activity.
However, there is no direct evidence
linking desert worms to spice
production...

Paul abruptly shuts down the message cylinder.

A43 INT. CORRIDORS...ARRAKEEN PALACE - DAY

Paul follows...

Kynes....always just a few yards ahead. Moving through the

shadows. Unaware that Paul is behind him.

43 INT. GREENHOUSE.....MOMENTS LATER

That odd anomalous "chapel" Jessica discovered when she first

arrived here. Paul comes into the room. But...

Kynes is nowhere in sight. As Paul reaches out to touch one

of the tiny white dishes that surround the base of each
little plant..

KYNES
Needs a new dew collector.

Paul turns. Dr. Kynes is suddenly right behind him.

PAUL
Dew collector...?

KYNES
Chromoplasatic. Daylight heats them. At
night, they turn transparent. Cooling
very fast. The surface condenses moisture
out of the air. And it trickles down to
keep the plants alive.
(beat)
A simple beauty....

PAUL
A meaningless beauty...in such a god-
forsaken place...

(CONTINUED)
 56.

43 CONTINUED:

KYNES
We deal here with the Law of the Minimum.
Unless we learn to live with it,
conditions can never change.

PAUL
Are you suggesting conditions here could
change? Favorable conditions...to change
the planet's ecology?

KYNES
That depends.

PAUL
On what?

KYNES
On who the steward of the desert is.

And his eyes bore into Paul with searing intensity.

KYNES
Perhaps one day, the person will come who
will understand, who will see the future
and know what can be...

Paul turns back to the plants. Fascinated. Intrigued.

KYNES
...the one who will change Arrakis. The
mah'di.

Paul looks up. There's that word again. But...

Kynes is gone. Just a silhouette vanishing out the door.

Somewhere voices are calling out. Strange distant voices....

VOICES
Mah'di...Mah'di...MAH'DI...MAH'DI...

SMASH CUT TO:

44 MONTAGE...SERIES OF IMAGES

Desert sands. Folded and wrinkled like some endless cahsmere

blanket.

"Maaadeeeee.....maaaaddeeeee.....muuaaaa....ddeee."
The voices fade into the sound of the wind...and...

A face forms in the sands. A WOMAN'S FACE.

A girl's, actually. Serene, hypnotic blue eyes.

(CONTINUED)
 57.

44 CONTINUED:

GIRL
Tell me about the waters of your
homeland, Mua'dib...

Her voice is tender, innocent. This must be the girl Paul

told the Reverend Mother he dreams about.

But somehow this all seems more vivid, more hyperbolized than
his earlier dream. And somewhere...

That wind howls. Becoming CHANTING again.

"Maaadeeeee.....maaaaddeeeee.....muuaaaa....ddeee."

And the girl's face suddenly liquefies.

Turning into sparkling, bottomless water.

And a crowd of men...silhouettes...are reflected there.

Arms raised in impassioned salute.

"Muuuuaaaaaaaddeeeeee......muuuuaaaaaddeeeeeebbbbb"
Their CHANTING becomes more frenzied. Suddenly...

The water suddenly turns into BLOOD.

A whirlwind sweeps across the surface.
The blood surges with waves.

Somewhere there are explosions. And screaming.

The sounds of carnage and death.

Another FACE forms in the blood. DUKE LETO'S FACE.

That rictus smile tugging at his lips.

Suddenly, the face catches fire. Leto's skin tightens and

shreds. Falling away until all that's left is a burning
skull.

The skull rushes forward. And...

SMASH CUT TO:

45 INT. PAUL'S QUARTERS/ARRAKEEN PALACE - DAY

Paul bolts up. Blinking. His eyes finally start to focus.

ACROSS THE ROOM...there's a young WOMAN.

The GIRL he just saw in his dream!

No...wait...it's not her. It's only a servant.

The servant girl he saw when he first arrived.
Just inside the door. Staring at him.
Holding a handful of linens.

(CONTINUED)
 58.

45 CONTINUED:

SERVANT
I...I'm sorry, m'Lord. Mapes didn't tell
me you were in here...

And she starts to back out.

PAUL
Wait! It's fine. I was tired. I fell
asleep. Please...go on about your work.

She flushes. Hurries into the room to do her chores.

He heads to his desk and the remains of a half-eaten meal.

Picks up a piece of bread. Sniffs it.
His head still aches from the dream.

PAUL
Tell me, does the cook use much Spice in
our food?

SERVANT
The Spice...is everywhere on Arrakis,
m'Lord. Everywhere.

Paul nods. But he's distracted by...

The servant's slender, lithe body. Moving purposefully but

sensuously as she changes the sheets of his bed.

A mix of intellectual and sexual curiosity fights for control

of his expression. But suddenly...

PAUL
Don't move!

The urgency and command of his voice freezes her instantly.

Has she said something wrong?

PAUL
Do exactly as I say. Do not move!

He is staring past her. Staring at the headboard of...

HIS BED (POV)...where one of the oak panels has slid open.
A small NEEDLE-SHAPED DEVICE is slowly emerging.

Suddenly it darts to the right. Then to the left.

Whining with a tiny, high-pitched hum. Barely audible.

And then...it veers right up next to the girl's face.

She can see it now. She stiffens. Cries out.

(CONTINUED)
 59.

45 CONTINUED:

PAUL
Hold still! It's a hunter-seeker. It will
kill you instantly...if you move!

The poor girl can't take her eyes off it.

The glistening little missile floats around her head.

Almost as if surveying her.

PAUL
Listen to me...the operator...wherever he
is...can only target on movement....
(the girl whimpers)
Stay perfectly still.

The servant girl remains frozen.

The hunter-seeker has backed off a few centimeters from her

face. Turning to scan the room now. Searching for movement.

PAUL
Easy now. Fear is the mind-killer. Don't
give in...

The hunter-seeker now glides across the room toward him.

Rises up his body to his face. Poised right between his eyes.
A hair-like needle slides out of its tiny nose cone.

Paul never flinches. But...

The door suddenly opens! Someone is coming in!

The hunter-seeker snaps back. Jerks toward the door.

Paul lunges. Grabs the thing out of the air.

It buzzes and whines in his hand. He struggles to hold it.

With both his hands, he smashes the thing on the floor.

Nose first. Again...and again...and again...

The thing shatters. But Paul keeps pounding.

And finally...that buzzing whine dies.

Paul drops it. Grinds it into the tiles with his boot. And
then...he looks over at...

MAPES! The Shadout Mapes. Jessica's Fremen servant.

Standing in the doorway. Agape.

(CONTINUED)
 60.

45 CONTINUED:

The servant girl flees the room with a wail.

Paul picks up the dead seeker. Brings it over to Mapes.

PAUL
You're lucky to be alive.

MAPES
(staring at the seeker)
I...was its target?

PAUL
It was going to movement, that's all.

MAPES
You could have let it have me...and saved
yourself....

And she is clearly awed by his courage.

MAPES
There is a traitor among you...
(staring at the seeker)
Someone close. Someone very close...

46 OMIT

47 OMIT

48 OMIT

49 OMIT

50 INT. CORRIDOR...ARRAKEEN PALACE - SAME

Emergency Klaxons are wailing loudly. CAMERA FINDS...

Thufir Hawat and several guards. Standing by a small hole in

the wall. Staring in at...

A crawlspace. Just big enough for a man.

Thufir turns away. And into his communicator...

HAWAT
I want him alive!
 61.

51 INT. PALACE CORRIDORS...SERIES OF SHOTS - SALE

A DARK, SWARTHY MAN. Tight hair. Thick eyebrows.

Moving swiftly through the confusion until...

GUARD
You...there...hold!

The dark man freezes. Turns slowly as the guard approaches.

Suddenly...the dark man pulls a small GUN from his cloak.
Fires!

BAAAAVVOOOOOOOMMMM

The guard is driven back against the wall.

The dark man hurries around a corner. Takes off.

52 INT. PALACE CORRIDORS...SERIES OF SHOTS

The dark man running. Several guards in pursuit.

Firing stun guns but missing.

Finally...the dark man runs into a cul de sac.

He looks this way and that. There's no way out.

He turns to the guards...coming down the hall toward him.

He raises his laser gun to fire. The guards scatter. But...

Suddenly, his head jerks back violently.

The gleaming blade of a knife flashes before his eyes.
And a huge gash suddenly appears on his neck from ear to ear.

The man chokes and gags. Slowly sinking to the floor to

REVEAL...

GURNEY HALLECK. Right behind him.

He looks up to SEE...

HAWAT. At the other end of the corridor.

Glaring back at him. "I wanted him alive."

53 INT. DUKE LETO'S OFFICES.....SOMETIME LATER

A HAND pounds down violently on a huge elacca table.

DUKE LETO
They've tried to take the life of my son!

(CONTINUED)
 62.

53 CONTINUED:

REVEAL...the Duke. Florid and raging. with Hawat and Gurney.

Staring down at the corpse of the ASSASSIN.

HAWAT
He looks local.

GURNEY
Nothing to identify him.

HAWAT
Harkonnen, surely. And not working alone.

Gurney and Hawat exchange an uncomfortable look.

DUKE LETO
Burn him. All but the hands. Put some
spice in each. Send them to the Baron on
Giede Prime.

And with that he storms out.

VOICE
Initiative! You decided to show some
initiative....!!??

A54 OMIT

54 OMIT

55 INT. ROYAL BATES...SPICE SPA - NIGHT

Baroque and luxurious.

Rabban and Feyd watching nervously as...

Struggling "therapists" help the slippery Baron out of a huge

whirlpool of steaming water. While they surround him with
robes and mount his suspensor units...

RABBAN
Success is often sired in the bedroom of
failure, Uncle.

(CONTINUED)
 63.
55 CONTINUED:

BARON HARKONNEN
How poetic. Well, then...perhaps you'll be
so good to define success. The subtlety
of your plan eludes me so far.

Rabban hesitates. Scans the room...full of servants,

attendants, "therapists". He moves closer to the Baron.

RABBAN
The boy...still lives...but from now on
with fear. He and his father now know how
close we can get to them.

A thin tense smile tugs at the Baron's face.

BARON HARKONNEN
Yes. Now they certainly do.

THWAAAAKKKKKKK

He lashes Rabban hard with the back of his hand.

Feyd sniggers.

An attendant nervously arrives with a large glass of milky

liquid.

ATTENDANT
Your evening spice treatment, m'Lord.

The Baron looks at it with a grimace. But, he takes the

glass. Swallows almost half, then starts to put it down.

ATTENDANT
(cheerily)
Uh...uh...uh: Must finish it all. "Health
and long life is the gift of the Spice".

The Baron's glare makes the poor man wilt.

But he takes the glass again. Drains it and shudders.

BARON HARKONNEN
(to the attendant)
Now get out.
(to the others)
All of you. Out!

Everyone scurries to clear out. Not one murmur of protest.

And when they're gone...

BARON HARKONNEN
(turning back to Rabban)
You simple ass. I told you I wanted those
bastard Atreides to feel secure. But no.
(MORE)

(CONTINUED)
 64.

55 CONTINUED:

BARON HARKONNEN (cont'd)

You couldn't wait. You had to have your
way. And now your "initiative" has only
made them more defensive. Now what,
Piter?

ACROSS THE ROOM....DeVries calmly looks up from the injection

he is self-administering.

DE VRIES
Advancing our timetable would seem
appropriate at this point...

BARON HARKONNEN
Another blinding burst of insight! How is
it I've been blessed with such
extraordinary counselors as these?

DE VRIES
There is, of course, the slight problem
of troop transport. Our negotiations with
the Spacing Guild are not yet concluded.

BARON HARKONNEN
Damn the Guild and their navigators.

DE VRIES
A sentiment shared by most of the
Imperium, m'Lord.

BARON HARKONNEN
What would you suggest, then, my most
devious Mentat?

DE VRIES
Offer an increase in spice royalties...
payable in advance...Rabban's own
reserves...

RABBAN
Are you out of your mind?

Rabban looks like he's ready to smash DeVries' skull. But...

BARON HARKONNEN
Get on with it, Piter. We must try to
turn this set-back to our advantage.
(to Rabban)
Perhaps your incompetence will be useful
after all...
(quietly to himself)
...and hasten the day House Atreides must
fall!

END ACT 4
 65.

ACT 5

FADE IN:

56 EXT. IMPERIAL GARDENS...PLANET KAITAIN DUSK

A tall, athletic young WOMAN, the royal PRINCESS IRULAN,

practices demanding and ritualistic muscle control exercises
under the watchful, analytical gaze of

...the Reverend Mother Mohiam...who claps impatiently

whenever she disapproves of the young woman's technique.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL...

The EMPEROR. Stiff and formal. Watching approvingly nearby

with COUNT FENRING.

COUNT FENRING
Worthy to be your first-born, hmmm?

EMPEROR
They tell me her ambitions tend more to
the literary than the political.

COUNT FENRING
Never underestimate the political uses
of an awakened mind, Majesty. Subterfuge
and cunning are often better allies than
a fierce heart and strong back, hmmm?

EMPEROR
All she lacks is the primacy of our
gender.

And there's an edge of bitterness, even betrayal in his tone.

COUNT FENRING
Then...hmmmaaahhh...you must marry her
well. Someone with a suitably pliable
personality, hmmm?

EMPEROR
Too bad it won't be that young Atreides.
A most admirable lad, I told. Good
union of breeding and training...

A strange distance sweeps over the Emperor.

A sadness, almost. Then...

EMPEROR
We must arrange to send Duke Leto a token
of our love. He must continue to think of
us fondly...

(CONTINUED)
 66.

56 CONTINUED:

And his eyes narrow as he watches his daughter.

ACROSS THE GARDENS...Irulan finally looks up.

Meets her father's calculating stare.

CUT TO:

57 INT. BALCONY, PALACE ARRAKEEN - NIGHT

In the grand foyer below (POV)...

Servants circulate with drinks and hors d'oeuvres among...

Off-world and local elite and their entourages.
A festive atmosphere as...

CAMERA FINDS....Duke Leto. Standing in the shadows here.

Staring indifferently down at his guests when...

Paul quietly comes up behind him.

Notices the emptiness in his father's eyes.

PAUL
You're tired, Father.

DUKE LETO
Yes, I'm tired. Morally tired. The
degeneration of the Great Houses has worn
me out. We were such a strong alliance
once...

PAUL
Our House hasn't degenerated.

DUKE LETO
Hasn't it?

He turns back to stare out over the courtyard.

DUKE LETO
Your assassin didn't arrive here without
help, did he?

And that's when they see...Thufir Hawat.

Crossing the foyer to join the guests.

PAUL
You can't possibly suspect Thufir?

DUKE LETO
I can only suspect. I can't prove. And
there's suspicion enough to go around.

(CONTINUED)
 67.

57 CONTINUED:

And that's when Gurney Halleck joins Thufir.

Pulling him aside. Speaking quietly to him.

PAUL
Not Gurney!

DUKE LETO
He knew your assassin would have been
more valuable alive...

PAUL
(defensive)
Gurney's impulsive, Father. He doesn't
have that kind of cunning...

DUKE LETO
...or Yueh's intelligence.

And there's the Suk doctor. At the far end of the foyer.
Conversing amiably with other guests.

PAUL
Surely not Yueh. His Suk conditioning
would drive him mad first...

DUKE LETO
Never let sentiment cloud your judgement,
son! There is someone. Sooner or later,
you must face...whoever it is.

And that's when they see...Jessica. Simply but elegantly

dressed. Gliding down the corridors toward them. Radiant.
Almost evanescent.

PAUL
So this is how it works. They sow the
seeds of distrust. They get us to fear
each other...

DUKE LETO
Learn this lesson well, son. In order to
hold Arrakis, you must be prepared to
fight fear with fear. Fear...and power.

Somewhere, strange lilting music starts to play.

JESSICA
(joining them; to the Duke)
That's our cue...

And she takes his arm. Leads him away. Leaving Paul there.
A riot of conflicting emotions playing out across his face.
 68.

58 INT. GRAND FOYER...ARRAKEEN PALACE - NIGHT

Jessica leads Leto down the grand staircase to join their

guests.

JESSICA
The man in the red jacket is a stillsuit
manufacturer in Carthag. Inferior product
to the Fremen's. The hard-faced woman
with him runs an escort service in
Arsunt...
(off Leto's look)
Impressive client list, I'm told. By the
fireplace, Lingar Bewt. Water shipper
from the polar region. The man to his
right...

DUKE LETO
A Spacing Guild Representative. How could
I miss that one...officious...superior...

JESSICA
The man with Thufir is Esmar Tuek.
Smuggler. Highly successful.
(almost a whisper)
He has fast ships...if we need them.

This only fuels Leto's bad humor. But as they reach the
bottom of the staircase...

KYNES
(coming up to them)
M'Lord, I was honored by the invitation.

DUKE LETO
You will always be welcome here, Dr.
Kynes.

Kynes leans forward. Speaks quietly.

KYNES
We found the missing Carryall, m'Lord.
Hijacked by Harkonnen agents who tried to
sell it at a smuggler's camp. They're now
dead.

And Kynes glances over to the smuggler, TUEK, with Hawat.

The man bows respectfully in their direction.

DUKE LETO
(to Kynes)
We are indebted to you, sir. M'lady will
see that you have anything you need.

(CONTINUED)
 69.

58 CONTINUED:

JESSICA
It will be my pleasure.

KYNES
And my honor, M'lady.

And Leto moves off to greet other guests. Leaving Jessica

with Kynes. But that's when...

GUILD REP
I understand they lost another harvester
to a worm...

Nearby...but clearly saying it loud enough for her to hear.

BEWT
They keep that up, they won't even have
enough money to buy water.

Jessica turns to respond. But...

A loud KNOCKING at the ballroom's entrance distracts her.

All eyes turn to SEE...

VOICE
Gentlemen and Ladies...her Royal Majesty,
Princess Irulan Corrino...

The EMPEROR'S DAUGHTER sweeps into the courtyard. Accompanied

by a bodyguard of a dozen menacing men in formal uniforms.

CAMERA FINDS...PAUL. At the foot of the stairs.

Now surrounded by a flock of fawning young women.

ON IRULAN...confidently meeting his stare.

DUKE LETO
(approaching her)
Your Highness, your attendance is a most
welcome delight.

IRULAN
The Emperor sends his enduring respect
and affection, m'Lord Duke.
(to the room)
He wishes everyone to know of the
confidence he has in House Atreides.

Applause ripples through the courtyard as...

CAMERA FINDS...Hawat and Tuek.

(CONTINUED)
 70.

58 CONTINUED:

TUEK
(under his breath)
She brings the Emperor's Sardaukar
killers as her bodyguards.

And Hawat's narrowing eyes meet those of the apparent

Sardaukar leader.

ACROSS THE ROOM...Leto escorts Irulan to...

DUKE LETO
My son, Your Highness. Paul Atreides.

IRULAN
(to Paul)
I believe I have the pleasure of sitting
with you this evening

PAUL
(stiff; formal)
I hope you're not disappointed.

Somewhere...a delicate BELL rings out.

DUKE LETO
(turning to guests)
Ladies and gentlemen, our meal awaits.

59 INT. BANQUET HALL, ARRAKEEN PALACE.....LATER NIGHT

The meal is well underway. Duke Leto is engaged in small talk

with Dr. Yueh and several men.

At the other end of the table...Jessica is with Kynes.

But she's mostly concerned with...

Paul...across the table. Clearly distracted and troubled.

Paying no attention to Princess Irulan sitting next to him.

GUILD REP
Water customs here are so fascinating
...don't you think, your Highness?

IRULAN
When I arrived, my bathing towels were
hurried away almost before I was dry. To
save their squeezings, I assume...

PAUL
(pushing his food around)
A safe assumption...

(CONTINUED)
 71.

59 CONTINUED:

BEWT
Nothing about this place is fascinating.
Without the spice no one would ever
bother with it..

PAUL
Fortunately for a water-seller like you,
I would guess.

Rude. Provocative. Bewt sneers.

GUILD REP
I enjoy watching the flight of birds here
on Arrakis. Many exist without any water
at all. Carrion-eaters, you know. Blood
drinkers. A curious adaptation don't you
think...?

IRULAN
You mean they're cannibals?

GUILD REP
I said they drink blood. Not necessarily
the blood of their own kind.

PAUL
Why not? One's fiercest competition comes
from one's own kind.

He helps himself to a canape from the Guild Banker's plate.

PAUL
They eat from the same bowl.

Then he abruptly gets up from the table and leaves.

An awkward quiet descends. But then...

GUILD REP
It's said that Fremen drink the blood of
their dead. Isn't that so, Dr. Kynes?

Deliberately provocative.

KYNES
Not the blood, sir. All of a man's water.
A necessity when one lives in the deep
desert. The human body is seventy percent
water. Surely a dead man no longer
requires it.

And his gaze is suddenly deadly. The Guild Rep wilts.

60 OMIT
 72.

61 INT. TERRACES, ARRAKEEN PALACE.....MOMENTS LATER - NIGHT

Paul wandering the darkness. Lost in troubled thought. The

distant chatter of the banquet floats in the air like a bad
memory...until Paul HEARS...

Music. Delicate, almost melancholy music.

In the distance, he finally SEES...

Gurney. Alone in a corner. Playing a Baliset. A simple

stringed instrument. A distant cousin of the lyre or lute.
Lush, hypnotic tone.

PAUL
(coming up to him)
Well, here at least is honest
merrymaking.

And he proceeds to help himself to a glass of golden, foamy

draught from a pitcher next to Gurney.

GURNEY
Careful, lad. Spice beer can go to your
head before you know it.

Paul ignores him. Raises the glass. Takes a long drink.

PAUL
Play, Gurney. Let's you and I at least
have some peace...

A beat. Then...

GURNEY
Right. When the son of my beloved Duke
orders me to relax, then by God I intend
to do so.

And he drains his own cup. Pours another.

Starts playing his Baliset again.

PAUL
Is that how you really feel, Gurney-man?
About my father...? Beloved?

GURNEY
You young pup. If I didn't know better,
I'd take those words for an accusation.

(CONTINUED)
 73.

61 CONTINUED:

PAUL
It was a simple question.

GURNEY
Your father rescued me from a Harkonnen
slave pit, boy. Took me into his
household. Groomed me for his warmaster.
The man...or woman...who raises a hand
against him will find it cut off by
me...as a prelude to their death!

Paul's stare remains fixed. But finally he reaches out to

touch that hideous scar on Gurney's jaw.

PAUL
I've shamed myself doubting your Gurney-
man.

GURNEY
(beat; then...)
No, lad. It's we who should be ashamed.
Men like me. Unable to turn this society
away from its addiction to conspiracy and
betrayal. Turning boys like you into men
before their time...

They sit quietly together a moment until...

Paul slams his mug down. Grabs a cushion from one of the
chairs. Stuffs it under his shirt. Jumps up on the ledge.

PAUL
(mock basso profundo)
Gentlemen and ladies...(I use the terms
loosely, of course)...
(laughter from Gurney)
...I, Baron Harkonnen, in my infinite
wisdom have decided that the great seal
of our venerable house...
(hisses and boos from Gurney)
...that confused and ugly chimera, the
Griffin...no longer adequately represents
the ambition of our appetites.

Gurney starts playing again to accompany Paul's performance.

More animated. More up-tempo now.

(CONTINUED)
 74.

61 CONTINUED:

PAUL
Therefore and henceforth, in conclusion
and forevermore, ergo and etcetera...our
ample and royal person shall be
symbolized by that more glorious and
noble creature...the one I perspire each
day to resemble...

Gurney erupts with genuine laughter.

PAUL
From this day forward and throughout the
universe...we shall no longer be known as
House Harkonnen. We shall be...House HOG!

Paul staggers clumsily around the corridor. Legs sagging and

buckling under his imagined tonnage...until suddenly...

The music peters out. Paul slows down. Confused...

Until he SEES...

Princess Irulan. Down the corridor.

Staring amused at Paul's performance.

IRULAN
Now I know why they say your skill with a
knife is exceeded only by your mastery of
the baliset, Gurney Halleck...

Gurney bows deferentially to the Princess.

Then he slowly backs away into the darkness.
Leaving Paul alone with her.

IRULAN
Is it Atreides custom to abandon an
honored guest without even the courtesy
of a lame excuse?

PAUL
Forgive me, Highness.

For a moment, neither one speaks. But it is Paul who seems

most awkward. Irulan seems completely at ease. Finally...

She comes over to the ledge. Pours herself a large cup from
Gurney's pitcher.

(CONTINUED)
 75.

61 CONTINUED:

PAUL
Careful. Spice beer can go to your head
before you know it.

IRULAN
So I've noticed.

Meaning him, of course. And she takes a long swallow anyway.

IRULAN
You expected someone more...delicate,
perhaps.

PAUL
Refined was the word I had mind,
actually.

IRULAN
There's an ancient saying I've learned to
trust: "Never judge a book by its cover."
(off his look)
We're not all that different, Paul
Atreides...you and me.

Paul's mood suddenly darkens.

PAUL
You don't know what you're talking about.

IRULAN
Oh, I've heard all about the moody Paul,
the grim Paul. Angry and unhappy Paul,
who's been exiled to Arrakis...where,
poor boy, he'll one day inherit
responsibility for the greatest treasure
in the universe.

PAUL
...and a never ending struggle to defend
it.

IRULAN
We both suffer the solitude of our
birthright.

PAUL
Except tomorrow you'll return to the
comfort of your palaces on Kaitain...

IRULAN
To the confinement of its perfect gardens
and lonely apartments...

(CONTINUED)
 76.

61 CONTINUED:

PAUL
...to your servants and entourage...

IRULAN
...with their slavish flattery and
cautious conversation...

PAUL
...as the heir to an Emperor...!

IRULAN
...who damns my mother for bearing
daughters instead of sons...

PAUL
You're mocking me.

IRULAN
(a beat; then...)
No. I'm trying to interest you.

Somewhere, Gurney's MUSIC starts again.

More pensive now. Gentle and lyrical.
Floating down the corridors like breeze.

Irulan moves closer to Paul. He just stands there.

IRULAN
Well...are you going to dance with me, or
just stand there looking confused?

He remains uncertain. So...she takes his arms.

Puts them on her hips. Making him pull her into him.

IRULAN
I didn't want to come here, you know.
Being an ornament of my father's
diplomacy is not my idea of a good time.
But you turned out to be more complicated
than your reputation...
(beat)
And I like complicated.

She sways against him. Her eyes are riveting. But...

Paul breaks off abruptly. Because there...behind her...

Those Sardaukar bodyguards. Tense and suspicious.

Irulan finally turns to see them.
An exasperated sigh escapes her.

SARDAUKAR CAPTAIN
We've been looking for you, Highness.

(CONTINUED)
 77.

61 CONTINUED:

IRULAN
So, you've found me.

SARDAUKAR CAPTAIN
Have you been hurt?

IRULAN
(rolling her eyes)
Be still, Captain.

PAUL
The Princess has been under my
protection...

IRULAN
Oh, please...

Suddenly...Gurney and his men are rushing up behind Paul.

Ready for a fight.

PAUL
Gurney...hold!

The Sardaukar tighten formation. Hands go to weapons.

IRULAN
(to the Sardaukar)
Stand down, Captain...

But no one backs off.

PAUL
Gurney...!

IRULAN
I said stand down, Captain!

Tension is thick. One false move and this could end badly.

SARDAUKAR CAPTAIN
It's late, Highness. The Shuttle awaits.

IRULAN
I'm not ready to go.

SARDAUKAR CAPTAIN
Your father left strict orders...

IRULAN
(turning to Paul)
You see?

(CONTINUED)
 78.

61 CONTINUED:

PAUL
(quietly)
Perhaps we should be the adults here. Set
the example for our hot-tempered friends.

IRULAN
You are more interesting than you appear,
Paul Atreides. I hope this won't be our
last encounter.

Paul nods graciously and the Princess reluctantly turns.

IRULAN
My father will no doubt reward you for
such mindless obedience, Captain....

And with that, she sweeps away down the corridor.

Pausing only briefly to glance back at Paul.

ON PAUL...clearly intrigued and bewildered by this brief

"encounter" with Irulan. He turns back to...

Gurney...who has a rather mischievous gleam in his eye.

Paul picks up his glass of spice beer.

Takes a long drink.

Somewhere music starts again. But this time slowly

transforming into...

The sound of chanting. Filling the air. Strange low voices.

Solemn. Hypnotic.

"Maaadeeeee.....maaaaddeeeee....."

62 OMIT

63 EXT. DEEP DESERT - NIGHT

Hooded, caped men. Standing shoulder to shoulder.

Hundreds of them. Swaying back and forth.

VOICES
Mah'di...Mah'di...MAH'DI...MAH'DI...
MUAD'DIB...MUAD'DIB...

Suddenly...a blinding EXPLOSION shatters the image.

 79.

64 INT. PAUL'S QUARTERS/ARRAKEEN PALACE - NIGHT 64

OUTSIDE...the pounding "thump" of ORNITHOPTERS.

Accompanied by the scream of rockets.
Plasma fire rips the night sky.

Paul jerks up in bed. Dazed. Bleary eyed.

Hearing the invasion outside. But.

ACROSS THE ROOM...a man is standing there. Rigid. Unmoving.

PAUL
FATHER...

An explosion outside finally illuminates the man.

There is no face. Just a SKULL.

Paul jerks back in panic.

SMAAAASSSHHHHHHH

He knocks over a glass beside his bed. It smashes on the

floor. Thick, golden SPICE BEER pools around it. And Paul
looks up to SEE...

There's no invasion going on outside.

The room is deathly silent now.
And he's alone.

Paul stares down at the puddle of spice beer on the floor.

And his own reflection stares back.

65 OMIT

END ACT 5
 80

ACT 6

FADE IN:

66 INT. BALCONIES...ARRAKEEN PALACE — DAY

Paul is coming down corridors when he NOTICES..

Thufir Hawat and the Duke hurrying across the courtyards to

Leto's offices.

67 INT. DUKE LETO'S OFFICES.....MOMENTS LATER - DAY

At the Duke's desk....DUNCAN IDAHO.

Standing over what appears to be a dead body.

DUKE LETO
(entering with Hawat)
Duncan....

Idaho turns. Comes to the Duke and embraces him.

IDAHO
Forgive the abrupt arrival, m'Lord...but
we've taken a force of Harkonnen
infiltrators. The Fremen found them in
the caves of the shield mountains.
(turning to the body)
One of the Fremen was badly wounded. I
rushed him here for treatment...

C.U. THE BODY. TUROK. The Fremen who first helped Idaho.
The one who saw the light signalling from the mountains.

VOICE
But he has died.

A tall robed MAN emerges from the shadows.

Hood and veil exposing only the eyes.

IDAHO
This is Stilgar, m'Lord. Leader of
Turok's tribe.

There are two other Fremen with him. Bodyguards!

STILGAR
We've heard many things in the desert
about Leto Atreides...

DUKE LETO
I hope what you've heard can be the
beginning of a friendship between us.

(CONTINUED)
 81.

67 CONTINUED:

STILGAR
My people have suffered long under the
rule of such as you.

DUKE LETO
No! Not such as me. Nor anyone in my
family. All that changed when House
Atreides came to Arrakis.

Stilgar studies Leto. Clearly taking the measure of him.

BEHIND THEM...Paul enters quietly. His eyes brighten...

PAUL
Duncan..

The two of them rush to embrace each other.

DUKE LETO
My son, Stilgar. Paul Atreides.

STILGAR
Yes. We have heard about him as well.

And he fixes Paul with a penetrating stare.

IDAHO
The Fremen want me to remain with them,
m'Lord.

STILGAR
He fights well. And he did his best for
our friend. It would reassure us.

IDAHO
Dual allegiance, m'Lord. To you and to
their tribe.

STILGAR
There is precedent. Liet serves two
masters...

And he lets this hang. Leto and Idaho exchange a look.

DUKE LETO
Let it be known among your people,
Stilgar, Duke Leto Atreides honors the
sacrifice this man has made on our
behalf. I wish only peace between us.

And Stilgar does an astonishing thing in response.

He SPITS on the floor in front of the Duke.

(CONTINUED)
 82.

67 CONTINUED:

Hawat instantly leaps forward. Stilgar's bodyguards move too.

But Paul steps between them.

PAUL
Wait, Thufir.
(to Stilgar)
We thank you for the gift of your body's
water, Stilgar. We accept in the spirit
with which it's given.

The Fremen bodyguards exchange glances. Stilgar

narrows his gaze on Paul. He understood the spitting for what
it was. A gesture of respect.

STILGAR
Your water is ours now, Duncan Idaho. The
body of our friend Turok remains with
your Duke. His water now belongs to the
Atreides. That is the bond between us.

He bows to Late.

DUKE LETO
Paul...see Duncan and our friends out.

And as Paul leaves with them...

DUKE LETO
If other Fremen match this Stilgar, we'll
serve each other well.

HAWAT
You asked me to inquire about the
shouting the other day. The words they
were calling out at your shuttle.

DUKE LETO
Maaa...deee...something or other.

HAWAT
It means messiah. They have a legend
here. A prophecy...that a leader will
come to them from off-world...child of a
Bene Gesserit, to guide them to true
freedom.

DUKE LETO
Paul? They think Paul could be
this...messiah?

HAWAT
These are a simple people, m'Lord. They
survive on hope.
 83.

68 INT. LETO'S QUARTERS.....LATER — NIGHT

Leto is studying dossiers in the dim light of a single

suspensor lamp. A lonely figure...almost swallowed up by the
ominous darkness.

Jessica silently sweeps across the room. Kneels beside him.

He hardly acknowledges her.

JESSICA
Won't you please come to bed?
(no response)
You have to rest.

DUKE LETO
Not yet.

A painful silence descends. Until...

DUKE LETO
On Caladan I had everything an honest man
could want. The loyalty of my people. The
respect of my men....

He gently takes her face in his hands.

DUKE LETO
...the unconditional love of a woman...
and my son...

JESSICA
You still have these, love. And...more...

And she leans in to kiss him tenderly.

JESSICA
...more than you know.

But when he looks down at her...a vulnerable sadness sweeps

over his eyes for the first time.

DUKE LETO
Is he ready, my love? Paul. Is he strong
enough to withstand what's coming?

JESSICA
I don't understand.

He takes off his ducal ring. Studies it sadly.

DUKE LETO
This noble seal may come to mean many
evil things before the game is over.

(CONTINUED)
 84.

68 CONTINUED:

She takes his hands in hers. Holds them to her breast.

JESSICA
Please don't frighten me, Leto. You are
the light of my world. My peace. My
comfort. Let me be yours. Even if only
for a moment.

And she kisses him again. Gently beseeching him.

And he can't resist. He doesn't want to resist.

He pulls her into his arms. And the two of them fall back on
his couches...soon becoming indistinguishable from each
other.

69 INT. CORRIDORS...ARRAKEEN PALACE - NIGHT

Dark. Quiet. Gurney Halleck is making the rounds when...

He SEES something moving across the hallway up ahead.
A flash of fabric...like a cape or robe.

70 INT. ANOTHER CORRIDOR.....MOMENTS LATER

He comes around the corner in time to SEE...

JESSICA. Hurrying away in the darkness.

But Gurney doesn't call out. He just watches her go.

Vanishing down the hall...around a corner.

His eyes narrow with suspicion.

DISSOLVE TO:

71 INT. CORRIDORS/TERRACES...ARRAKEEN PALACE...LATER — NIGHT

An ominous quiet pervades the atmosphere.

Duke Leto wearily makes his way along these dim passageways
when he SEES...

A figure on the ground. Several yards a way. A WOMAN.

(CONTINUED)
 85.

71
DUKE LETO
Jessica!

He rushes to her. But it's not Jessica. It's MAPES.

MAPES
(dying)
Traitor...guards dead...shields...the shields...

A look of sheer horror sweeps over her. She tries to speak.

But a death rattle escapes instead Her eyes glass over.

And that's when Leto hears....AN EXPLOSION!

The room rocks. Leto is almost thrown off his feet. Emergency Klaxons are now
wailing
everywhere.

Leto staggers to his feet...but....

Something stabs him in the neck.
A needle...or dart.

FEET step out of the darkness. Leto strains to look up.

His vision blurs. But he can SEE...

DUKE LETO
Yueh...?!!!

It is the Suk doctor. Kneeling down with tears in his eyes.

DR. YUEH
God forgive me. I had no choice.

DUKE LETO
(barely audible)
Why....why....????

DR. YUEH
Because I need to save my wife.

Leto can only shake his head. Unable to comprehend.

DR. YUEH
We haven't much time. The Harkonnen will be in the
palace soon...

And with that, he quickly takes something from his pocket.

A small pellet in the shape of a human TOOTH.

(CONTINUED)
 86.

71 CONTINUED:

DR. YUEH
I am giving you the final revenge,
m'Lord. For this terrible thing I have
done to you and your family. You will
have your revenge. I promise. Just
remember...the tooth. The tooth, m'Lord.
When you have the Baron face to face....
remember the tooth!

And he inserts the pellet into Leto's mouth.

72 OMIT

73 OMIT

74 INT. ROYAL CHAMBERS — NIGHT

Jessica comes awake with a start. She is groggy.

But she can HEAR...explosions.
In the palace. And outside.

JESSICA
(bolting from the bed)
LETO....PAUL.....!!!!

But she never gets to the door. Her legs go out from under
her. She staggers and falls.

She stares at her lower body. Nothing moves.

She starts dragging herself to the door.

But her right arm goes slack. Then her left.

Her face crashes to the floor with a sickening thud.

JESSICA
I CAN'T MOVE....CAN'T MOVE.....

75 EXT. ARRAKEEN PALACE — NIGHT

Ornithopters hover over the courtyards...the gardens.

Giant, malevolent wasps.

Blue-clad soldiers descend rapelling lines.

More are already on the ground.

Atreides soldiers try to intercept them.

But they're cut down mercilessly.
Laser fire rips the night.
 86A.

76 INT. CORRIDORS...ARRAKEEN PALACE

Explosions are going off everywhere.

Atreides troops are scrambling.

(CONTINUED)
 87.

76 CONTINUED:

CAMERA FINDS....HAWAT. Staring in horror at the confusion.

A Lieutenant rushes up to him

LIEUTENANT
Shields, are down everywhere. Five legions
are attacking Arrakeen. Two more bearing
down on Carthag. Three at Arsunt...they
knew precisely where to hit!

HAWAT
(screaming at another officer)
THE DUKE! WHERE IS THE DUKE?

OFFICER
(looking up from console)
Not in quarters, sir. We can't find the
Young Master either!

A fury of emotions sweeps over Hawat. Rage. Despair....

HAWAT
(howling)
BASTARDS!!!!!!!!

BAAAAVVVVOOOOOMMMMM!!!!!!

A ball of fire consumes the room.

Choking off Hawat's screams.

A77 EXT. MILITARY AIR FIELD - NIGHT

Harkonnen 'thopters are cutting up buildings and equipment at

will. Atreides' forces are being routed.

INT. MILITARY HANGER

GURNEY is watching the fire and smoke rise up from the
devastation outside. He turns to one of his Lieutenants.

GURNEY
SOUND THE GENERAL RETREAT.

The Lieutenant hesitates.

GURNEY
WE HAVE TO SAVE AS MANY MEN AS POSSIBLE.
NOW!

The man rushes off. And Gurney SEES...

(CONTINUED)
 88.
CONTINUED:

An Atreides soldier being driven back inside by a Harkonnen

enemy. A brutal, unmerciful attack.

With a mad shriek, Gurney charges the Harkonnen.

The two of them go at it. Hand to hand.
Vicious, terrible fighting. But...

Gurney finally Harkonnen. Slips his sword

through the man's shield into his chest. The Harkonnen
crumbles. His shield dies out.

And that's when Gurney NOTICES...

A small SCAR on the Harkonnen's neck. A small seal.

Like a rancher's brand. And Gurney recognizes it instantly.

He leans down. Rips off the man's helmet.

It's the Captain of Princess Irulan's bodyguards!

GURNEY
The Emperor's Sardaukar!

78 INT. ROYAL CHAMBERS...ARRAKEEN PLACE......LATER - NIGHT

Baron Harkonnen is here! Standing at the windows watching

artillery fire pock-mark the mountains in the distance.

HARKONNEN SOLDIER
(coming up behind)
What's left of them have retreated to the
Shield Mountain caves. We'll finish them
there.

BARON HARKONNEN
No prisoners.

The soldier moves off. The Baron remains.

BARON HARKONNEN
As soon as the city is pacified, Piter,
remove the Sardaukar troops to our
frigates. No trace of the Emperor's
involvement here must ever be found.
(no answer)
Piter...?

DeVries is sitting behind Jessica...bound and gagged.

DeVries has his face buried in her thick, luxuriant hair.

DE VRIES
A pity she has to remain gagged. She has
such a magnificent mouth...

(CONTINUED)
 89.

78 CONTINUED:

BARON HARKONNEN
A pretty mouth with the sting of a
scorpion.
(approaching)
We're well aware of your Bene Gesserit
witchery, my dear. Perhaps I should cut
your vocal chords. Then Piter could have
his way with you.

Jessica struggles against her bonds. But she's too drugged.

BARON HARKONNEN
But then again, perhaps not. No blood on
my hands. I have no idea what's happened
to you. When I see the Emperor's wrinkled
old bitch of a Truthsayer again, I
suppose I'll just have to say...
(beat)
..."dunno"

And he starts to laugh. Louder and louder...

DeVries signals a nearby guard....who immediately comes over

..and picks up Jessica.

DE VRIES
(to the guard hushed)
Into the desert. Let the worms clean up
the mess. The bodies must never be found.

END ACT 6
 90.

ACT 7

FADE IN:

79 INT. DUKE LETO'S OFFICE - DAWN

The Duke is propped up at his desk. A glazed look in his

eyes. Clearly paralyzed but alert. He can SEE....

BARON HARKONNEN across the room. With DeVries.

And several other Harkonnen guards. And...

DR. YUEH. Agitated.

DR. YUEH
...my half of the bargain, Baron. I
promised you the Duke, and there he is...

BARON HARKONNEN
And a delicious sight it is, Doctor.

DR. YUEH
...now it's time for your half.

BARON HARKONNEN
And...believe it or not...I'm a man of my
word.

DR. YUEH
Where is she!? You promised we'd be
reunited. You said you'd free her if I
did what you asked.

BARON HARKONNEN
Your wife is free, my good doctor.
Completely free...

And he floats across the room to a large draped object.

Yanks the velvet curtains away to REVEAL...

A glass SARCOPHAGUS. And a beautiful woman inside.

Clearly dead!

BARON HARKONNEN
...free of her mortal coil...free of her
physical cage. I freed her.

Yueh approaches the sarcophagus. Trembling. Unable to compute

the deviousness of what's just been done to him.

BARON HARKONNEN
I promised you'd be reunited.

(CONTINUED)
 91.

79 CONTINUED:

Suddenly...DeVries steps in behind Yueh.

Drives a dagger deep into his back.

BARON HARKONNEN
And I'm a man of my word, as now you can
see.

But as Yueh sinks, he manages to point a cursing finger at

he Baron.

DR. YUEH
You...think...you've defeated...me.

But he doesn't finish. He falls over...dead.

BARON HARKONNEN
Never trust a traitor. Not even one you
create.
(turning back to Leto)
Well, my noble Duke, enjoying the show? I
hope so. I've kept you alive so that you
could witness every precious moment of
your betrayal.

DUKE LETO
(barely audible)
Paul...

BARON HARKONNEN
The boy? Dunno. Left him to the desert.
He and that gorgeous woman of yours. Had
to pry Piter off her. But we couldn't
have noble blood on our hands now, could
we? The Emperor was quite insistent about
that.

A small groan escapes Leto.

BARON HARKONNEN
Yes, your beloved Emperor. Just goes to
show...never get more popular than the
boss...unless you intend to sack him...

The Baron jerks away in mock horror and embarrassment.

BARON HARKONNEN
Did I say that? How impolitic of me. I
must be spending too much time with my
idiot nephew, Rabban. Oh well, you won't
tell, will you, dear man?

DE VRIES
Perhaps we should get on with it, then...

(CONTINUED)
 92.

79 CONTINUED:

BARON HARKONNEN
Get on with it!? GET ON WITH IT!? This is
KANLY, Piter! Vendetta! And I'm going to
savor it! My family has hated the
Atreides for generations. They've been
the sand in our eye, the stink at our
meals...these arrogant Atreides and their
pompous honor...standing in our
way...always standing in our way...

He is floating around the room in a mad trance now.

BARON HARKONNEN
I want Leto to appreciate the beauty of
what I've done to him. I want him to
choke on the utter disgrace of his
defeat...

C.U. LETO. Straining to keep the Baron in focus.

Straining to remember Yueh's last words to him.
Straining to move his mouth!

BARON HARKONNEN
I want him to know that I, Baron Vladimir
Harkonnen, am the instrument of his
family's demise...the extinction of House
Atreides...and the ascendance of House Harkonnen!!!

DUKE LETO
(a croak)
The tooth...

The Baron's reverie is interrupted.

BARON HARKONNEN
What? What did he say?

Leto's mouth is moving but no sound is coming out.

BARON HARKONNEN
What's he saying, Piter?

DeVries moves in on Leto.

DUKE LETO
(smiling)
The....tooth....

And DeVries suddenly gets it. But it's too late.

CRACK

(CONTINUED)
 93.

79 CONTINUED:

Sounds like the "pop" of gum. A gray toxic vapor spews out of
Leto's mouth.

DeVries staggers back. Coughing. Gagging.

And now the guards in the room are coughing.

BARON HARKONNEN
WHAT'S HAPPENING....!?

DeVries collapses. A guard twitches spastically. Staggers for

the door.

BARON HARKONNEN
NOOOOO!!!!!!

And he flies across the room. Gets to the door first.

He slams it in the guard's...face.

80 INT. CORRIDOR

The Baron pounds his hand against the palm-lock.

Seals the room. Leans back against it and...

Listens to the helpless pounding on the other side.

And then he realizes that he's still alive. He survived.

And he starts laughing. A terrible, monstrous howl.

BARON HARKONNEN
(shouting to the gods)
NEED YOU MORE PROOF OF WHAT HEAVEN'S
CHOICE IS!? ATREIDES IS DEAD...WHILE
HARKONNEN LIVES!

81 EXT. SOMEWHERE IN THE DESERT - DAYBREAK

Already the sun is screaming hot.

CAMERA FINDS...JESSICA. Lying on the abrasive sand.

Bruised and dissheveled. And already parched...

...struggling in delerium. Waving her arms wildly.

As if trying to fight off some unseen terror...until

A hand reaches in to quiet her.

She comes to with a fierce jerk.

VOICE
He's dead.

She looks to SEE...

(CONTINUED)
 94.

81 CONTINUED:

A silhouette. Leaning over her. Just a black shape.

But as her eyes adjust...she realizes...

It's Paul. Roughed up. But alive!

PAUL
Father's dead.

There's a distance in his voice. Almost as if he's watching

himself speak. An almost chilling fatalism about his tone.

PAUL
They used Sardaukar. The Emperor was in
on it. Just as Father predicted...

Jessica sinks back in utter despair.

PAUL
They want to exterminate us all. Not a
single survivor. The last drop of
Atreides' blood...scattered to the sands
of Arrakis...
(long silence...and then...)
They won't succeed.

He gets up. Reaches down to her.

JESSICA
What are you doing?

PAUL
We won't survive longer than a few hours
in the open. We have to find shelter.

JESSICA
But....Harkonnen patrols...

And after a deadly beat...

JESSICA
...the worms!

PAUL
We have to take our chances.

And he pulls her up.

82 EXT. THE DESERT.....LATER - DAY

....SERIES OF SHOTS. Paul and Jessica. Struggling against the

heat, their fatigue, the utter futility of each step leading
nowhere. And then...

(CONTINUED)
 95.

82 CONTINUED:

They HEAR SOMETHING. In the distance.

The ominous air-beating of a 'THOPTER!

They turn...and there...in the distance.

JESSICA
One of ours?

...swooping down on them from the East.

PAUL
(cold hatred)
Can't take the chance. 'Could be
Harkonnen...coming to finish the job.

And the two of them take off across the sands. But....

Veering across the sands to cut them off.

But the hatch of the 'thopter flies open to REVEAL....
DUNCAN IDAHO.

IDAHO
Hurry...Harkonnen patrols are in the
area. Approaching fast.

Paul and Jessica race to the 'thopter.

83 INT. 'THOPTER...DESERT

Idaho yanks Jessica in. Then Paul.

IDAHO
CLEAR!

He's shouting to the pilot. DR. KYNES.

KYNES
STRAP IN.

A84 EXT. THE DESERT...MOMENTS LATER

The 'thopter lifts off the ground.

Speeds away into the distance.

END ACT 7
 96.

ACT 8

FADE IN:

84 EXT. DESERT.....SOMETIME LATER - DAY

Kynes' 'thopter is parked at the edge of a small basin.
Surrounded by rocky, desolate hills.

85 INT. CAVES - DAY

Idaho leads Jessica and Paul through these dark passages

where ROBED FREMEN move about purposefully. A society of
them.

PAUL
What is this place?

IDAHO
A Fremen sietch. A small one. There's a
storm coming. We can stay here until it
passes.

One of the Fremen hurries up to Kynes.

FREMEN
We must talk, Liet.

KYNES
(to Jessica/Paul)
Rest here.

And he moves off to have a hushed conversation with a cluster

of Fremen fighters who are talking urgently. Paul watches.

JESSICA
(to Idaho)
How did you know where to find us?

IDAHO
Dr. Yueh. He sent a courier. Said you
were being taken to the Bled south of the
mountain shield. I was afraid we wouldn't
get there in time...

He pulls something from his cloak. A small package.

IDAHO
(handing it to Paul)
I was supposed to give you this m'Lord...

(CONTINUED)
 97.

85 CONTINUED:
Paul opens it. INSIDE....his father's DUCAL RING.
There is also a letter. But Paul doesn't open it.

KYNES
(coming back to them)
Harkonnen patrols are in the area. They
tracked out 'thopter...

PAUL
(interrupting)
They call you "Liet".

Kynes and Idaho exchange a quick look.

PAUL
You're the one, aren't you? The one who
is never seen. The one who might not even
exist. Their leader.

KYNES
I prefer the term guide to leader.

PAUL
Guiding them...?

KYNES
(beat; then...)
Until mah'di comes.

He and Paul lock eyes. Something deep but unspoken passes

between them. But there isn't time to pursue it because...

A huge EXPLOSION rocks the room. And then another.

IDAHO
(to Paul, Jessica)
M'lord....

And he urges them away. But Kynes remains behind.

PAUL
You're coming with us!

KYNES
No!

PAUL
They'll kill you.

KYNES
Me? I'm Dr. Kynes. Imperial
Planetologist. I work for the Emperor,
(MORE)

(CONTINUED)
 98.

85 CONTINUED:

KYNES (cont'd)
remember? I'll just say I was your
hostage.

IDAHO
Please, m'lord...

And he pulls Paul away.

86 OMIT 86

87 OMIT 87

88 EXT. DESERT.....MOMENTS LATER

In the distance, the unmistakable sound of 'thopters

approaching.

Duncan hurries Paul and Jessica toward the Fremen 'thopter.

But at the ramp...he holds back. Paul turns back to him.

IDAHO
(off Paul's look)
I must remain with the Fremen, m'lord. As
I promised your father.

Paul knows there's no time to argue. But...

PAUL
We'll be together again, Duncan. I know
we will. I've seen it.

He gives his friend a quick hug. Then...

He scurries inside the 'thopter where...

A89 INT. 'THOPTER

...he sits at the controls. Jessica beside him.

Preparing for take off.

89 EXT. DESERT.....MOMENTS LATER - DAY

The 'thopter rises up between the rocks like a Phoenix.

But in the distance...

HARKONNEN 'THOPTERS clear the horizon. Screaming toward them.

90 INT. 'THOPTER

An explosion goes off to their right. The ship rocks.

Paul remains calm. But as he looks out the window...

(CONTINUED)
 99.

90 CONTINUED:

Duncan is disappearing back into the caves just as...

A Harkonnen MISSILE hits the rocks.
A massive fireball roars into the sky.

JESSICA
Duncan....!

But Paul never flinches. He simply accelerates.

91 EXT. DESERT SKIES

Paul's 'thopter pursued by two Harkonnens.

92 INT. 'THOPTER

Paul executes an evasive maneuver.

But the Harkonnen counter and stay with them.

JESSICA
We can't lose them...

Paul's expression hardens. He pulls on the controls.

JESSICA
Paul! The storm!

She grips his am. There it is. Coming straight for them.

JESSICA
We can't go into that!

PAUL
We have no choice.

JESSICA
Nothing can survive one of those storms.

PAUL
Then unless they want to die, they won't
follow us, will they?

93 EXT. 'THOPTER...DESERT SKIES

Veering hard. Directly into the path of the storm.

The Harkonnen 'thopters right behind.
 100.

94 INT. 'THOPTER

Starting to shake violently. Outside, visibility is nil.

Paul desperately tries to hang on.

95 EXT. 'THOPTER

The Harkonnen 'thopters finally veer away. But...

Paul's 'thopter keeps going. Vanishing in the whirlwinds.

Swallowed up like a gnat in a hurricane.

96 INT. 'THOPTER

Paul no longer has control. The interior is getting darker

and darker. The noise of the storm is deafening.

Darker and darker...louder and louder...

PAUL
I must not fear....fear is the mindkiller
...I will face my fear...it will pass
through me...when it's gone there will be
nothing...only I will remain..."

And that's when....EVERYTHING GOES BLACK.

END PART ONE

WRITTEN BY: JOHN HARRISON

©1999 NEW AMSTERDAM

ENTERTAINMENT