Dune

Dune is centred round the story of the planet Arrakis and the politics surrounding the spice melange, the most precious substance in the universe.

The timeframe for the first book written by Frank Herbert is the year 10,191. The Dune Universe is run along feudal lines, with the Emperor presiding over the Landsraad, the collective body that consists of the Great families of the time. There are other political entities out there like the Spacing Guild, who hold a monopoly on interstellar travel, the Bene Gesserit sisterhood, a matriarchial group.

There were six books written by Frank Herbert in total, Dune, Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse Dune.

For many years there were plans to make a movie which usually came to nothing as the scope of the universe was usually beyond the producers. Eventually David Lynch took the helm and directed the Dune movie which was produced by Dino De Laurentis, long known for their lavish production values. The film generated considerable controversy.

A miniseries made by the Sci Fi Channel received a generally better reception despite far lower production values, and the Children of Dune miniseries also did fairly well which covered the books Dune Messiah and Children of Dune.

Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson also have written a number of prequel novels. There is also a comprehensive Dune Encyclopedia which is long out of print, and every so often a campaign is started to try and get it reprinted.

Record 188 - universe - Last update 28 Mar 2007, 23:15:23

Update this entry - Your update will be submitted for moderation.