Summary

• The 2021 movie adaptation of Dune is visually stunning and boasts charismatic characters with powerful quotes.
• Director Denis Villeneuve's approach differs significantly from David Lynch's in the 1984 adaptation of Dune.
• The film captures the intricate dynamics and moral dilemmas among rival noble houses, with a focus on powerful character interactions.

Along with stunning visuals and an epic sci-fi scope, the most powerful Dune quotes are part of the reason the movie has made such an impact. Denis Villeneuve took on the daunting task of adapting Frank Herbert’s immense and complex sci-fi novel, beginning the journey of Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) and his family’s adventure on the planet of Arakis as they find themselves surrounded by enemies. In bringing the story to life, Villeneuve incorporated some of the most memorable dialogue from the novel as well as some impactful new quotes.

With Dune 2 proving to be an even bigger hit than the first movie, many fans have been recently revisiting 2021’s Dune. Looking at some of the most interesting lines from that movie shows the connection they have and the foreshadowing done for the eventual sequel. The most memorable Dune quotes also highlight the unique characters of the story, explore the mythology of this universe, and even provide some emotional moments. As impressive as Dune looks, these quotes stand out in the engrossing sci-fi story.

David Lynch, director of the 1984 Dune, expressed "zero interest" in the new film, citing personal painful memories from the previous production.

10 “You've Proven You Can Rule Yourself. Now You Must Learn To Rule Others, Something None Of Your Ancestors Learnt.”

Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam (Charlotte Rampling)

Reverend Gaius Helen Mohiam is one of the movie’s more intimidating characters since she is not only a member of the powerful sorceress known as the Bene Gesserit but also closely allied with the emperor. In this quote, she reveals just how much she understands not only about Paul and what he must do to survive in the deadly days ahead but also how much she grasps the nature of power and the importance on mastering the self rather than dominating others.

This powerful Dune quote establishes the potential that is within Paul’s future while also showing that others are watching him very closely in this path. It also sets up an interesting dynamic between these two characters as they next meet at the end of Dune 2, with Paul displaying his powers that now dwarf Mohiam’s own.

9 “My Planet, Arrakis, Is So Beautiful When The Sun Is Low. Rolling Over The Sands, You Can See Spice In The Air.”

Chani (Zendaya)

Chani, like most of the other Fremen, has a deep and powerful connection with the planet of Arrakis, a vast desert planet that is extremely unfriendly to outsiders. Her words reveal just how profound that connection is, and how much it is tied to the physical beauty of her planet. Where others see nothing more than sand and death, she sees a profound natural splendor that can only be revealed in the dying rays of the setting sun.

A heartbreaking line given Chani’s journey at the end of Dune 2

This quote serves as the opening narration of the first movie and is a perfect way of setting up the central planet to the grand story. It also shows what the fight is truly about for the Fremen people, who only care for their planet and not the power it possesses. It is a heartbreaking line given Chani’s journey at the end of Dune 2 as she seems to be the only one who has remembered this.

Hans Zimmer spent a week in the deserts of Utah alone to assimilate some of the sounds of the landscape into his thinking for the score.

8 "This Is My Desert. My Arrakis. My Dune."

Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård)

Baron Harkonnen’s massive weight and floating way of moving make him a truly intimidating villain, but it is also Stellan Skarsgård's incredible performance that makes him so memorable. In the first Dune movie, Baron Harkonnen is so chilling because of how confident and unworried he is about destroying House Atreides and securing control of Arrakis once again.

When devising his plan to leave Paul and Lady Jessica out in the desert to be killed, the Baron talks about Arrakis as if it belongs to him and no one else, delivering this great Dune quote showing his power-hungry nature and greed. However, it is also linked to the themes of colonialism, as the Baron talks about the planet as if he knows it better than anyone, including the Fremen, and claims ownership of it as a conqueror.

7 “The Duke's Son, He Sees Too Much.”

Piter De Vries (David Dastmalchian)

Part of what makes Paul’s journey in the first Dune movie so exciting is that he was overseen by the Baron when the villain was plotting the downfall of House Atreides, yet he will eventually be the one who brings House Harkonnen down. The focus is on Duke Leto Atreides, who is seen as the real threat. However, some recognize that Paul has powers of his own and that he should not be underestimated.

It is interesting to see the movement behind the curtains of these powerful and all-seeing people of the Dune universe who are aware of Paul

This is the warning given to Baron Harkonnen by his mentat Piter De Vires. Like the Bene Gesserit, mentats can see more than what's in front of them, and Piter knows of Paul’s growing strength. It is interesting to see the movement behind the curtains of these powerful and all-seeing people of the Dune universe who are aware of Paul, giving hints of the extraordinary things that he could achieve. However, even in their eyes, it becomes clear that just what Paul can accomplish has been underestimated.

6 “We Are House Atreides. There Is No Call We Do Not Answer. There Is No Faith That We Betray. The Emperor Asks Us To Bring Peace To Arrakis. House Atreides Accepts!”

Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac)

Of all of the characters that appear in the first Dune movie, Duke Leto is arguably the most noble and the most ethical. He takes his duty very seriously, even when he recognizes that the gift of Arrakis is a poisoned one. Though he could defy the emperor, he chooses not to, and his powerful words here demonstrate, that more than anything else, Atreides sees itself as honorable.

In many ways, Leto mirrors Game of Thrones’ Ned Stark as an honorable hero who is perhaps naive to how out of his element he is and how much danger his family is in. Despite this, Leto is willing to face the challenge and do justice to the Atreides name. Given how afraid their enemies are of House Atreides’ influence, this brave reply is defiant in its own way.

5 “If Anything Happens, Will You Protect Our Son?”

Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac)

The bond between Lady Jessica and Duke Leto is one of the strongest in the movie, and it’s clear that the two of them love one another deeply. Their love for one another is only matched by their obvious love for their son Paul, whose life they are both bound to protect. However, if there is an aspect of tension in their relationship, it is the Bene Gesserit.

Lady Jessica proves in Dune 2 that protecting Paul is her only priority, and she goes to incredible lengths to ensure he thrives.

Leto is not entirely trusting of the Bene Gesserit, especially in the way they clearly have plans for Paul. Leto sees this and questions Lady Jessica if her loyalties lie with them or with her family in the end. It is clear from this question that Leto feels the walls closing in and his enemies surrounding him. However, though he might not entirely trust her in the moment, Lady Jessica proves in Dune 2 that protecting Paul is her only priority, and she goes to incredible lengths to ensure he thrives.

4 “There's Something Happening To Me. Something Waking Up In My Mind. I Can't Control It.”

Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet)

It’s pretty clear that Paul Atreides is fated to play a very important role in the universe, namely as the savior that the Bene Gesserit have sought to create with their breeding program. However, that role also comes with a terrible price, as this powerful Dune quote demonstrates so effectively. It suggests that the destiny that Paul possesses, hinging as it does on his psychic abilities, is almost like an alien presence inside of him.

Paul’s dark turn in Dune 2 is somewhat shocking given that he was an easy hero to root for in the first movie. However, moments like this cement that he is something of a tragic figure. He has been thrust on this path without choosing it for himself. It is a harrowing, confusing, and painful experience as he discovers his new abilities. It is a plea for help, but Paul also knows that he must endure this because of the path that lies before him.

3 “This Is An Extermination. They're Picking My Family Off One By One.”

Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet)

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of both the Dune movie and the book is how effectively Baron Harkonnen manages to bring about the destruction of House Atreides. It’s Paul’s blessing and curse that he’s able to see the full extent of the problem that they’re facing, and this quote captures that mixed feeling. It also shows just how panicked and horrified Paul is by the realization that, try as they might, they probably won’t be able to keep the Baron’s plan from succeeding.

It is quotes like this that put Paul’s journey into context.

The loss the heroes face in the first Dune movie sets things up for the epic comeback in the sequel. However, it is quotes like this that put Paul’s journey into context. Despite becoming a messianic figure to the Fremen, at the center of it all, Paul is on a mission of revenge.

2 “Let's Fight Like Demons!”

Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa)

Jason Momoa's Duncan Idaho is one of the most charismatic characters in the movie, and he is absolutely loyal to House Atreides. His skills in combat have helped to train the army of House Atreides and turn it into one of the greatest fighting forces in the universe. He serves as a symbol of the fearlessness and ferocity they are all expected to fight with.

Right up until the end, he shows that he is willing and able to fight for the house to which he has sworn his loyalty, even if it means that his own life will be forfeit. His cry to fight like demons is a powerful reminder of just how formidable of a warrior he is and how much he’s willing to sacrifice. Duncan’s final stand makes for one of the best moments in the movie.

1 “Here I Am, Here I Remain.”

Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac)

As star-studded as the Dune 2 cast is with new additions like Austin Butler and Florence Pugh, the absence of Oscar Isaac as Duke Leto is noticeable. As a testament to how impactful the character is, he continues to be talked about at length in the sequel despite not appearing after his demise in Dune. Given his epic death scene, it is not surprising he is remembered so well.

Leto is able to gain one final victory over his enemies at the moment of his death.

After being paralyzed and presented to Baron Harkonnen as a helpless prey in Dune, Leto is able to gain one final victory over his enemies at the moment of his death. Before biting down on the poison capsule in his mouth, Leto gives this final declaration. It serves as a defiant attack on his enemies that he is dying on his own terms, taking out many of them in the process. However, it also reflects that Paul and House Atreides live on.