“Dreams Are Messages From The Deep”: Why A Sardaukar Speaks Dune’s Opening Line Explained By Villeneuve

Summary Denis Villeneuve explains the meaning behind Dune's opening line.

Dune's opening line involves a Sardaukar saying "Dreams are messages from the deep."

Villenueve uses this line in order to assert authorial control and establish some of Dune's themes.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for both Dune movies.

Dune director Denis Villeneuve explains the opening line of the first film. Released in 2021, Dune is the first film in the sci-fi franchise, which was followed by Dune: Part Two this year. The film features a leading cast including Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Josh Brolin, and Oscar Isaac. Dune was well-reviewed, receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Picture and an even more successful sequel in this year’s Dune: Part Two.

As per an interview with The New York Times, Villeneuve reveals the meaning behind Dune’s opening line, “Dreams are messages from the deep.” The director was asked why he chose to open the franchise with “an anonymous Sardaukar from the murderous imperial army.” According to Villeneuve, he started in this way in order to give the audience the sense that the Sardauker “are not just tremendous warriors, but they have spirituality, philosophical thought.” He also appreciated the Hans Zimmer-designed sound of the Sardaukar, which he felt was “coming from the deep.” Check out the full quote from Villeneuve below:

I love your question. The Sardaukar are the dark side of the Fremen. I thought it would be interesting to have a tiny bit of insight that they are not just tremendous warriors, but they have spirituality, philosophical thought. They have substance. Also, their sound was designed by Hans Zimmer. I absolutely loved how it feels like it’s coming from the deep, from the ancient world. Frank Herbert said beginnings are very delicate times. By starting with a Sardaukar priest, I was indicating to the fans that I was taking absolute freedom with this adaptation, that I was hijacking the book.

How Dune’s Opening Line Well Establishes the Franchise

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From Villenueve’s quote, three purposes can be gleaned from Dune’s opening line. First, Villeneuve inserted it to take “absolute freedom with this adaptation,” establishing the Dune franchise as his own work. Second, he began with a “dark side of the Fremen,” that shows a nuanced version of a lurking evil. Third, the “spirituality” and “philosophical thought” that he wishes to convey is one focused on dreams and their power.

Nuanced malevolence comes out perhaps the most prominently in Dune: Part Two. As Paul Atreides rises to power among the Fremen, he becomes slowly corrupted by it. It is his corrupted brain that causes him to fight with more violence and vigor, and his sullied consciousness that makes him concoct the plan to state his intention to marry Princess Irulan in front of Chani and others. Thus, Paul himself is being overtaken by a form of “dark side” as the power gets to his head, all the while still being the great, Lisan al Gaib chosen one.

The theme of dreams is also central to Paul’s character in Dune. The protagonist experiences premonition-like dreams that predict detailed versions of future events. In the first film, he sees Chani in these dreams, who becomes central to the second movie. In Dune: Part Two, he envisions Anya Taylor-Joy’s Alia Atreides, who will become his sister in the second movie. Thus, beginning with a reflection on dreams helps lay the groundwork for this ongoing thread.

So, with the simple opening to Dune, Villenueve has accomplished a lot. Through the guttural, ancient-seeming Zimmer sound, he established the idea of danger and darkness lurking, which is reflected in multiple characters. With the text itself, Villeneuve establishes some of Dune’s primary themes. Both of these purposes then help to establish his definitive authorship over Dune, which he clearly carries throughout both films.

Source: NYT