I agree. I thought that the realisation of the Harkonnens as white/bald by Villeneuve in his films was sublime. They are far more menacing than the red heads in the book or Lynch’s film.
I liked the announcer, but the crowd of what looked like a million people was absolutely hype too. Imagine fighting in front of that. It would either freeze a soul or spark up one.
i got too obsessed to the point i start buying 4 paperback books (Ace Edition) from the original to god emperor, also bought the first two books again (Original and Messiah) in different edition (Hodderscape), and another 3 books of my country's translation (Original books to Messiah, 3 books because they split the original to two volumes for some reason, it's Idonesian's translation which kinda sucked) This felt more like an addiction problem than a pride, and it's ironic that it kinda contradicts the point of the story about fanatics 😅
Austin mentioned in an interview that while preparing for the role and in order to get into a specific mindset for playing Feyd he watched vids of snakes, sharks and listened to death metal.
Sounds like something you would see in a 80’s-90’s sitcom, we’re some naive dorky kid tries to become tough but has no idea how so he just watches shows about “tough” things like sharks and rock n roll
Good writers know they don't have to milk every part of the IP, because they can come up with _more_ great characters later. Paul's kids are pretty well done in the tv series of Children Of Dune.
Dune part 2 has cemented itself as a classic in just a few months and taken pop culture by storm and it's wonderful to see a movie that shouldn't attract the mainstream become so loved and quoted. The amount of times I see people around me shouting "lisan Al gaib" warms my heart
Another interesting detail about the black horned people in the arena is that they’re picadors. They’re meant to agitate bulls in a fight by hooking them with spears. An obvious parallel between the Harkonnen and Atreides
This is me whenever I mention Dune and launch into a full-on analysis to convince my friends that it‘s the best thing that has graced our screens in years.
This was one of the scariest scenes I've watched in the cinema. Not for any easy jumpscares, but for the atmosphere. Such an amazing character introduction.
it didn't hit me at all, but the Game of Thrones part where The Mountain fights that dude in a duel was something else(truly shocking with the buildup/atmosphere)
Book Feyd-Rautha, (with Hawat's helps) is actually pulling the strings, arranging to have the slave undrugged to discredit his uncle's slavemaster... but of course Hawat was evacuated from part 2 so they had to turn this scene around... Book Feyd Rautha is a more complex charachter, and you almost feel for him as a "failed" kwizatz haderach... the Bene gesserit also lament the wasted opportunity, that he was raised without moral compass by his twisted uncle.
And yet, when you see how the "Line Jumper" (which is what the term Kwizatz Hadarech means in Hebrew) and his "children of the women" (ditto) grandmothers fared, you wonder about how truly "moral" saviors and holy mothers truly were... in light of the BILLIONS the books state were killed in Paul's holy wars. .. which IS the point Herbert was making about saviors, messiahs, mahdis and holy mothers. Leave it to religion to justify and "sanction" the most heinous of crmes in the name of their god.
Also, in the book, Feyd had a backup plan, training the Atreides slave to go limp when hearing "scum" and he would have died by his own blade if he didn't say it. And then he kills the slave with a poisoned black blade - black being the color representing purity on Geidi Prime - letting the spectators know he's slippery and they'd never know which of his blades holds the poison - setting up his dirty tactics and his eventual demise against Paul. In the movie he's just a superhuman fighter, tossing away his shield and besting an undrugged Atreides by having a huge cock&balls, depriving the scene of pretty much all the meaning in the book.
@@TheRybka30 Well the movie interpretation is a whole different character and it's intentional. There isn't enough screen time to show Feyd doing all that. Instead they made him the same sociopath that he is in the books, except he doesn't scheme or plan all much. His main goal is to fight a strong enemy and win or die with honor. He lives for the thrill of killing and battle. Not as interesting as in the books, but still a fun and believable enough character in the movies.
It's heavily implied by the director that's because his big brother and his uncle groomed him from an early age. If you watch the character with that in mind things make more and more sense.
i love that he is almost out of the frame when he does that. it makes me wonder if it was unscripted or maybe he just has really good timing or awareness of what is in frame
The fights in dune look like a martial art because they actually are. They practiced Arnis (or Kali or Escrima depending on who you ask) for these scenes. It's a filipino martial art that focuses on fighting with knives and sticks. They're of course still scripted but, as you noticed, you can tell that there is something to their movements because they're using actual fighting techniques.
I believe it was all Kali; Arnis has mixed weapons, Escrima uses rattan fighting sticks, Kali involves blades and empty-handed techniques. I recall Austin Butler and the trainer/choreographer (who played the un-drugged Atreides he fought in the arena) added some dramatic flourishes into the duel intended to reflect Feyd’s fighting demeanor.
7:15 When you said "And you do it by this", I was fully convinced at this point that you'd pull that clip of Feyd doing his odd guttural call of rage and joy one final time.
My favorite bit from Dune 1 is the throat chanting guy when the Sardaukar prepare for battle. My favorite bit from Dune 2 is the announcer saying "FAYD RAUTHAA". It's the little things that make movies great.
1:12 "Hans' early work was a little too new wave for my taste. But when Dune Part 1 came out in '21, I think he really came into his own, commercially and artistically."
To be fair, Dune's soundtrack space has been... Eccentric to say the least. I mean, David Lynch's Dune had Toto (and a theme by Brian Eno) and Jodorowsky's attempt at Dune would've had Magma and Dark Side of the Moon-era *Pink Floyd*
The whole soundtrack has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the tracks a big boost. He's been compared to John Williams, but I think Hans has a far more moody and atmospheric ethos to his music.
I'm with you! Goosebumps all over with that scene.The throat chanting soldier ritual thingy on Salusa Secundus in the first part got its own fan base, rightly, but the whole Harkonnen franchise and Butler's presence made the Sadaukar look more like Doozers.
I couldn't agree more...on every point. Another little nuance of Austin Butler's performance that I loved was how throughout the entire final scene, when the the Emperor and his court, and the Harkonnens, and the Sardukar...everyone else on the Bad Side...looked appropriately and gravely concerned at their situation, Feyd seemed to be enjoying himself (maybe because he's a psychopath?) and almost rising to the occasion socially. "Cousin? I did not know that!" (polite conversation) "May thy knife chip and shatter!" (spoken as if he's trying hard to respect the local customs). He completely stole that last scene, and it was beautiful.
I am 100% convinced that the theme played in the arena is the same instrument played in the David Lynch dune during Feyde's introduction, when Sting leaps out of the mist in a banana hammock while a midget tasers an upside down cow. Honestly I picked up a lot of little moments that felt like loving references to past Dune adaptations, it gave me the impression that literally every person working on this film from top to bottom had some level of passion for the source material and its legacy.
Roger Yuan was the combat choreographer for Dune part 2. He played Lanville (Feyd's opponent in the arena.) He himself is an expert martial artist in many disciplines.
These movies were amazing. The source material was respected while adapting it to the screen. When little ass timbo chalameet unleashed the boom in his voice...gave me chills.
@@Comporio I'm sure we'd welcome you, too. You certainly have a good read on Feyd. He's a fasinating character. The contrast with his scene with Margot is fascinating.
I think a lot about these scenes are very intuitive and obvious. Like the symbolism is so pure and straightforward, something we find in older movies becose newer ones try to skip that and create something extra and unexpected instead of diving into the portraying that evil and cold with clear primal aspects like dune did here. Dune ironically ends up way more unique and entertaining without trying to be. Taking familiar concepts we already have in our minds, using music and effects to evoke vibes of far forgotten history or myths, and with this character even more so. They don’t show some carefully crafted life story we could relate to, it all focuses on the vibe he represents. That playful yet cold uncontainable brutality that silently rests within. All those little details like pure white skin, slim figure, darkness in the eyes, the notes used in the soundtrack, the movements and his language all just symbolising a villain, eeriness, pure evil. The planet is all that we don’t want. It looks very orderly and organised but NOT IN A WAY WE ENJOY yet in a way wild and unpredictable and again NOT IN A WAY WE WOULD WANT. Power and wealth too but yeah.. frightening power.
The funniest bit about Feyd that I think doesn't get mentioned enough is the fact that he's only been fighting drugged up slaves, and the one who wasn't drugged up was an old man. Despite this, he still struggles quite a bit with the old man. Imagine if the other two hadn't been drugged up? Or if it was someone else that wasn't. And then when he gets to Arrakis, he makes a lot of bold moves that get him some ground, against an enemy that hasn't put their weight back against him. The moment Paul and the Fremen launch full scale counter attacks on the Harkonnens, House Harkonnen is quickly wiped out and Feyd is gutted like a fish by someone with actual experience.
When you are fighting for survival rather than just showing what might you got, the tactics and the tables are truly truly turned. Mechanics turn Macabre.
I agree with this, however I would like to add that I think that the intention was not to show that he has not skill, but how even despite all his training, the Harkonnens are just so dominated in their thinking by arrogance and brutality that they never really try to use skill. One Bene Gesserit in the book even says that if only Feyd wasn't born into the care of the Baron, he could've been so great. Therefore I believe that himself and House Harkonnen had the potential to be much stronger, but it was their narcissism that kept them down, and they could have been much more if they had an actual code stronger than just to destroy and dominate everyone. Even though, as its emphasized later in the books, no leader or power is infallible, this main difference in code is what lead Paul to be able to win in the end, instead of the Baron and Harkonnens
That "old man" is actually a top Atreides General. His name is Lanville and he's in a couple scenes in the first movie. Hardly a weak opponent. He's also in really good shape for his age.
@@bmbrowns1778 Yes, that's exactly my point. Even with his old age, Feyd still struggled with killing him, to the point where he accused the Baron of trying to get him killed. If one of the other two captives, who don't have the disadvantage of old age, weren't drugged up, Feyd would've been wiped.
I’d say the only flaw with this scene is the fact that the arena is mostly barren. Considering how many thousands of militaristic and crazed Harkonnens are in the seats waiting to see a gladiatorial style fight, there’s no evidence of one before Feyd’s, which just feels a little off. They could’ve cleaned the arena, but that doesn’t seem like something Harkonnens do. Of course, it doesn’t wipe away the impact of the scene, but if the Baron did drug the last Atreides, then Feyd’s fight, likely the centerpiece for this whole occasion, would’ve lasted all of one minute.
I think that might be intentional as the harkonens are mostly lifeless, most of them are probably there by force anyway the same way nazi germany made all citizens attend their rallys. So less emphasis makes it feel more totalitarian.
This film deserves many awards. One throughout I cannot stop focusing on is the SOUND DESIGN. Man, the effects, down to small details like the vibrating shield device worn on the armor by Feyd-Rautha
i could probably count on one hand the amount of times i took a second to blink during that entire arena sequence. i was completely floored, something about it felt so distinctly *alien*, it was like i was perfectly in sync with whatever villeneuve intended to portray in those few minutes. the magnitude of the announcer, the panic-inducing score, and the cruelty of it all made it feel so profoundly non-human, i'm impressed that a work of fiction, let alone a short scene in a movie could invoke that concept and feeling in such a unique and distinct way. i hope i get to experience that again
One of the challenges of any sci fi movie is to create a sense of other-worldliness. This scene really shows what Gidei Prime is all about and does it visually.
It's not that he drools because the fight almost doesn't go his way. Feyd is literally over-stimulated by the prospect of being in mortal danger. He's literally only truly alive when his life is painstakingly on the line. His "bleayagh" was such a pure expression of disgust and disappointment at such an easy kill from such easy prey. Denis is the absolute master of subtext. And just that simple noise Feyd blurts out is so poignant. As if to say "Disgusting! Why are you wasting my time with this amateur-hour bulls🤬t?! You aren't even worth carving into meat for my darlings!" But when the undrugged man avoids his initial strike, Feyd starts to hope... maybe this could be a fun day after all?? He sees his uncle smile. And he wonders if he was set up. But that's not important right now. He not going to turn down an opportunity to risk his life in a real fight. This is what he lives for. And he's usually too protected as the heir to the throne to even BE in a risky situation like that. He absolutely loves it. He cracks a big smile. He sells it a little to the crowd, throwing away his shield. The prisoner doesn't know wtf is going on. He's already accepted his death. He would have rather been executed than drugged to embarrass himself in the arena. He's hurt. Starved. Imprisoned in an unimaginable hell. But if this is his last chance to kill a Harkonnen... that's exactly what he's going to do. Or die trying. 100% focused on his opponent. He doesn't care about the theatrics. Which only gets Feyd more excited. Feyd is done toying around with him now. He had let the guy take a free swing at his shield. But that was just to get his own adrenaline up. He's probably rock-hard at this point. lol jk but not really. Their next exchange is so intense. Perfectly choreographed. The prisoner actor is actually the lead stunt coordinator on the film. And it shows. Brilliant performance and movement from both guys. He's slightly distracted by the beetle people beginning to encircle them. He doesn't know wtf is happening, but he knows if he takes his eye off of Feyd, he's a dead man. Feyd is holding two blade, but the soldier manages to disarm one in the next exchange. Finally evening the odds of success. And just when he's about to take Feyd's other blade, the beetle man strikes. The beetle people are actually the Harkonnen equivalent of bull fighters. Except they use people instead of bulls. It's difficult to catch, but in the frame where the prisoner is hit in the back shoulder, the beetle man pulls the blade back... But the tip is still lodged in his shoulder blade. And there's some sort of white feather attached to it. He's been tagged like a bull. Feyd is FURIOUS. If he wasn't in the middle of something important, he would have certainly killed that guy for attempting to lessen his sweet release. "AHHH!! BACK!! BACK!!" The pressure is on now. Feyd has to get risky and go in for an aggressive kill... either before one of these hunters gets greedy and kills him themself. Or the prisoner starts to bleed out, and ruins the thrill of the kill for Feyd. He has to wrap it up now while the adrenaline is keeping his opponent dangerous. Just as badly as Feyd wants to get his rocks off, he DEFINITELY doesn't want to look weak or scared in front of this whole crowd. He'd rather die risking it all than being patient and careful. Feyd immediately disarms his man. But the guy takes his last blade too, and then swings at an unarmed Feyd. Butler ducks under leaps in to take him down. They quickly transition to grappling in a scramble, tumbling back. Ending with both opponents on their back. And the last blade pointed directly at Feyd's eye. Now it's a test of will. The will to live. With all his remaining strength, the stunt boss is battling to drive down the blade. Feyd has both hands on the wrist. The only thing keeping him from death now. And it's the greatest feeling he's ever felt. The pleasure centers of his psychotic brain are lighting up like a Christmas tree! And he wants to savor it. Drooling and moaning with utter euphoria. He could maneuver into a different spot. But he wants to keep the blade RIGHT where it is. Inches from his face while his opponent gasses out from pushing as hard as he possibly can. "STAY BACK!!" Time stands still as Feyd knows he is in complete control of the fight from here on out. Keeping the knife still, he finally closes his mouth and looks up to his exhausted gladiator. Then gives him just one more little smile. As if to say "oh yeah... this is definitely happening." And when he starts to stand up from kneeling, that smile turns to the look of death itself. Coming to claim another soul. And at last, Feyd pulls away his arm and blade to immediately reverse it, straight into his chest. This moment is the closest to love that Feyd has ever felt. Now that it's over, his dark, sadistic heart is filled with gratitude for the soldier who made him feel so much. He holds his dying lover so gentle. "You fought well, Atreides..." One last embrace, and Feyd ends it with a final rip of the blade... out his chest, and up in the air. Leaving his man to tip over and bleed out in seconds. Such a masterclass in subtext. Dune part 2 is a love story on several levels. Everyone is chasing their true love. Everyone finds it. As tragic as it all is. I think if we actually got to see Feyd go through the trial with Lady Margot, it would have been screaming and laughter... intensifying into a very big climax. Which obviously would have then transitioned into her "securing the bloodline". What a big day for the lucky Na-Baron. Happy birthday indeed 😂🎂
Feyd was the best part of this movie. Austin butler did a great voice that sounded quite similar to Baron Harkkonen I loved that his mouth looked black because of the blood coming from the self inflicted slice on his tongue. I didn’t like Rabbon because he was overacted and his screaming seemed fake and non intimidating, but Feyd… Feyd was incredible
i think the most genius thing about feyd’s character is that while hes a total mindfuck sociopath you can still see him in a good light… like the emotion in his voice when he said “you fought well atreides” that had me on my knees
I believe that the final fight sequence is also described in the book. Instead on the plain, the emperors ship lands in the city of Arraken and when the ridge and the shield wall is destroyed, the fight rages both on the plain and in the city, where Paul then fights in his past home on Dune against Feyd in front of the Emperor, fremen, Chani and Irulan, Navigators and Bene Gesserit. Nice touch that wasnt involved in the movies is that when the slave was not drugged, it was Thufir Hawats plan and also, the gladiators had a specific word that trigged another type of paralyzing drug in their head. Feyd usually abused that and had that word too, and when fighting with Paul, Paul refused to say the word, throwing Feyd off balance and winning. Feyd's character is probably the cruelest in the movies besides baron Harkonnen himself, that's why he's the goat
The weird horned people in the arena are so interesting to me, and I love how at first you don't notice them because they blend into the sheer black walls of the arena
I agree, this was such an impactful scene. And the fireworks at the end, like inkblots on water ! The harkonnen world building is simply stunning. TERRIFYING.
“The sword play looks like it’s evolved into its own martial art“ that’s because it is. With the invention of combat shields which deflect all objects going over a certain speed, which rendered projectile guns and lasguns obsolete (lasguns hitting a shield results in a nuclear explosion) thus complex projectiles that slow before impact were invented, but were prohibitively expensive to equip a whole army with. So the average rank and file trained in blade fighting, and inventing a fighting style which involved fast strikes to put your opponent off balance, and slow almost sluggish slashes to get through the shield
This video is done so well I want to make a review right after it, I am so happy I saw this in IMAX because it is one of my favorite films I’ve ever seen especially in a theater. You said everything so well and I agree I’m sharing this with everyone that’s seen the movie. And yes, those people that have not seen the movie. I’m putting them on.
the horned devil thingies kinda look like they are wearing some sort of russian women's hat and i think i have seen hats like it in venezia or venedig venice
This truly feel like a pivotal series of movies like the Star Wars trilogy or the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but released in the modern day. I wasn't old enough to really be aware of the greatness of the Lord of the Rings movies as they were released, so it is truly amazing to see another amazing series of movies like that being made in front of my eyes now that I can comprehend it. Hopefully the third movie sticks the landing on what could possibly be a near perfect trilogy of movies.
finally someone talks about this part of the movie!! I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!! it's probably my fav part in dune pt 2 and it might be the reason why i'm a bit dunepilled rn LIKE I JUST LOVEE THE VISUALS THE MUSIC THE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS SEQUENCE!!!
This is one of the movies where I wanted the villains to win, Feyd was so sick! I knew fine rightly they would kill him off but Feyd is definitely one of my favourite villains.
