Original artwork, not a still
He who controls the spice controls the universe.
— Dune · 1984
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
A villain stating the Dune economy as a one-line creed: spice means life, travel and power, so whoever holds Arrakis holds everything. It has become one of the film's most borrowed lines and a stock phrase for any scarce resource, and it explains why the Baron will destroy a duke and a dynasty to get the planet back.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for DuneShow the scene
In Lynch's Dune (1984), Baron Vladimir Harkonnen speaks the line while his nephews Rabban and Feyd-Rautha are briefed on the plan against House Atreides. After Piter de Vries begins to explain, the Baron cuts in with 'My plan!', then says he will have Arrakis back for himself and speaks the line. He goes on to boast that House Harkonnen already controls someone very close to Duke Leto, worth more than ten legions of Sardaukar, but will not say who.
Sources (2)
- Wikiquote: Dune (1984 film)DialogueReference checked
- Dune Wiki: Vladimir Harkonnen (1984 film)Quote boxReference checked
Context reviewed
