Why is Dune's Score Like That? 

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the throat singing on the sardaukar planet was so dope

The fact this movie exists, as it really is, with more than 300M worldwide, going into the pop culture as it should, is by itself a monumental achievement.

Watching this in IMAX with Dolby was singlehandedly the most bone-jarring cinematic experience of my life

It's really interesting how Zimmer made something that was memorable without being hum-able. It does lend itself to the exotic nature of the film and Villeneuve's directorial style as a whole.

The scene with the Bene Gesseret ship landing and taking off was SUPER impactful due to the music, the whispering voices and made my heart beat crazy.

I went to watch Dune with no previous knowledge of it. I knew basically nothing, just that it was a Sci-Fi movie. And, up to this day, I think that it was one of the best cinematic experiences I've ever had before. I remember being over the edge of my seat as the movie finished and, just as the credits started to roll in, I found myself amazed with he score and cinematography. I cannot wait to watch the sequel!

The reason Duncan Idaho has his own theme music is that far into the book series, he plays a very major role.

I’m surprised you didn’t mention anything about the Harkonnen motif being a tritone! THE most sinister interval. Not only that, but the Arrakis motifs frequently use semitones. This gives the impression of the Harkonnen motif as an inversion, using the tones in the “wrong” direction. They took Arrakis and twisted it for their own needs, and their motif is similarly twisted.

The Sardaukan theme was so sick. Its shows how ruthless they are

The 'Leaving Caladan' track, that if I remember correctly, starts as the ship breaches the water and ends as Paul looks off at the Caladan sunset - to me that crescendo of bagpipe-like sounds and pounding drums really sold the score to me early on. I thought that was an incredibly powerful moment that would've felt MUCH different without such a dynamic musical backdrop.

DUNE and its score is a masterpiece, but you’re point on how the music takes away space to breathe is 100% accurate. I as an audience member felt quite literally as if I couldn’t fully breath in, with all those low frequencies pressing onto my ears. Would have loved to just hear the wind in the desert and enjoy some authentic sound design in the more quiet moments.

Zimmer is such a genius. His pieces always double the depth and emotion already portrayed by the acting and visuals

The score was just so amazing. I felt sucked into the world, and because it was constantly playing, it seemed like I was in a trance after an hour or so. The themes were so subtle and yet so effective. They felt very intuitive and my brain could understand the meaning without having to study motifs and such. Which I think is the perfect way for a score to work.

This was such a fascinating analysis. I did not notice the mixing of motifs/themes like in the example w/ the Atreides and Bene Gesserit tracks you pointed out. That detail of Paul's theme slowly changing from the "Atreides" sounds to the "Fremen" sounds blew me away. One of my favorite things about the score and sound design is that while they made an effort to make the film sound like something "out of this world", it also uses a lot of traditional/folk music elements - choirs, throat singing, bagpipes - which all evoke the old Earth. IMO this is perfect for Dune, a story set so far into the future yet so deeply tied to humanity's past and present. I am a bit disappointed we didn't get any super-memorable melodies like in some of Zimmer's other works but I can live with it. That could always change in the next film. God am I enamored by this film. I need to see it again. And again.

I don't know why, but the score actually made me shiver, and it was hard for me to breathe. I don't think I was ever this immersed in a movie before

Highly creative people coming together creating something mesmerising is such a crazy thing to witness. I'm simultaneously in awe and annoyed I wasn't part of it

Credit to Lisa Gerrard needs to be recognized. Some music fans might have thought "wow he's getting into Dead Can Dance territory here," especially on pieces like "Paul's Dream" and "Gom Jabbar" that feature mystical belt-it-out chants and wails. There's a reason for that: it actually is Dead Can Dance's Lisa Gerrard on the soundtrack. “There was an amazing commitment from vocalist Lisa Gerrard, who was in Australia, and I kept torturing her and she came up with this language that is all her own," Zimmer told Indiewire. "It could be from the future, it could be from a different world. And there was this linguist [David Peterson from ‘Game of Thrones’] on the movie, who invented a language, and I picked things that would sing well.” Gerrard, Edie Lehmann Boddicker, Suzanne Waters, and others were part of a choir of singers led by Loire Cotler.

watching the movie in an imax theater, the sheer volume was unsettling. After the sandstorm scene we felt like we'd been in a tumble-drier full of sand. I do agree that the use of sound would have been more effective if there had been a few more moments of quiet and respite for contrast.

Coming out of the cinema after watching Dune, I was left a bit "disappointed" that I wasn't humming to myself the main theme, as has happened to, I think, everybody after watching LotR or Harry Potter. Now, thanks to this video, I understand why and can appreciate the complexity behind this choice

Another great analysis, the only thing I disagree with is when you talk about how there are parts that would benefit from the score being taken out, to give the characters room to breathe and slow the scenes down, as you said. I feel what you are saying and agree that it would have that effect, but I also feel it was intentional to never give the audience that feeling of slowing down. In a certain way the film benefits from its mad pacing, pushed along by the intensity of the score. Watching it in theatres I felt like I never had a chance to breathe and that enhanced rather than took away from the experience. Someone else in the comments described it as being put in a trance. I subscribed to your channel because of this video and the vfx analysis of Dune video you posted. Hope to see more expert analysis from you.

As soon as I heard the score in the beginning of Dune, I was convinced it would win the Oscar. I had the same expectation with Lord of the Rings. These were sounds I had never heard. It was the same feeling when I first heard 13th-century music: immediately waking to a new voice. Life would never be the same.

This movie literally gave me chills and I’m sure the score had much to do with it. The throat singing, the gom jabbar scene when Paul starts to become defiant, all of it gave me goosebumps. For anyone on the fence you definitely need to see this movie in a theatre where the sound is all around you. Unless you have a great home theatre set up you won’t get the same affect in my opinion. I’ve gone back to the theatre 4 times just because I love the feeling the movie gives me!

I am absolutely obsessed with this film. Was so grateful to see it twice on the IMAX. This breakdown / analysis is immensely satisfying 😊

I already adored everything about this film, but this video really did give me a much greater appreciation for all the subtleties used throughout the score and quite how complex and well thought out it was. I loved it for the mood it created throughout the film, but this really made me appreciate WHY it was so effective.

One of the reasons for the score carpeting the entire film was probably the sparsity of the score in his previous films. He seems to have taken Bladerunner 2049's box office failure to heart. He's brought it up often in his interviews, including the DGA interview with Christopher Nolan. So this time he's used as much of the blockbuster bombastic tropes as he was comfortable with. An observation based on what he's said and how he's been promoting the film as well.

This breakdown is incredible, when you showed me the link between the themes of leaving Caladan and arriving at Dune I was blown away, truly incredible, Thank you for this video!!

One thing that stood out to me when I was walking out of the movie was the feeling that the score was missing consistent percussion. I felt it weird because I would expected the Fremen to have drums that ground them to rhythm because they are in tune with the planet. I shared this with my brother and he believes this was done on purpose to emulate the planet of Arrakis. The loud score emulates the hot blistering sun, and the missing percussion fits the missing flora of the planet.

This movie is a masterpiece on all technical levels. I hope Villeneuve, Zimmer and all the artisans that worked on this movie are recognized on the awards circuit.

Heard an interview with Villeneuve, where he likened the score during the “pain box” scene as reminiscent to the grinding of a dentist drill. Brilliant!

I don't disagree with the conclusion that using less score might have been more impactful, but it'd be a brave member of the crew who says _Hans Zimmer, one of if not the best film composers of all time, wrote one of the best scores of his life and we're going to use less of it_

The score was the thing that really blew my mind with this movie, aside from the obvious cinematic extremism is that the score was completely integral to the film from start to finish. Its not an accompaniment, it is an inseparable part of the narrative.

The score is a huge reason why I loved the film so much. I love how the main theme is basically 2 chords, but the way it waxes and wanes in intensity is so satisfying. Combined with the amazing visuals, it’s intoxicating. Going to see part 2 in 2 hours and I can’t wait. I’ve heard it’s far better than part 1 and I loved part one although it’s clearly mostly exposition. 2 is gonna get meaty.

My thoughts on the Hans Zimmer score was it was a *very* Hans Zimmer score.

i remember when i went to watch dune (i'm from italy, hence i watched the movie some time ago), I watched it with a couple of my friends and my sister, and since i'm a cinema junkie, as soon as i sat on the chair, i was ready to watch while the others were still making themselves comfortable, and when that sound arrived instantly, the sardaukar deep throat singing, i melted on my seat and i instantly knew that i was going to hear something i never or rarely heard in my life. that introduction hit me deeply and I already felt immerged in that world, while the others were just startled from that sound and felt the urgency to sit down and just watch the movie. In both cases, that sound takes your attention immediately and makes you focus on the movie and the movie alone. at least, that's what happened in the cinema that i went to.

Just the chord progression of the main theme is so cool. That major chord inching up recontextualizing the melody from the root to the major7. And then that minor-M7 chord omg

I agree with the critique you had about the score being overused. I absolutely loved all the sound design and score, but by the end of the movie I started getting 'lamenting woman singing' fatigue. Using it more sparingly would have really elevated the movie.

Good job editing around HBO’s blocks. I wouldn’t have guessed anything was missing.

One section I think that would have been more powerful with no score would be the talk with Paul and his dad at the graveyard. The score is nice but kind of distracts from what they're saying imo

I saw the film in theater and the sound was a visceral part of the experience...it was another character in a way I hadn't experienced in a movie. It was so moving to me.

the detail you go in with this is something i didn’t know i needed, really awesome stuff

So the phrase should now be: "Music, don't tell"

as an aspiring composer, this is one of my favorite movies of all time. as a film fan, the music is definitely overused in the edit. this is one of, if not THE, greatest score I have ever heard. I have rewatched the movie multiple times just for the feelings of the planets and groups with the music. wonderful video as always Thomas, great breakdown!!!

Fantastic video. In depth, smooth, well edited, well paced 👏🏼

Excellent video, really just perfectly put together and a deep look into the subtle nuances of the score. Very well done!

What a difference it would've been without music in the Duke's bedroom with Jessica. It would've also given me a chance to *think* and put all these world-building pieces together. Great video

A thoroughly intelligent breakdown of one of Zimmer’s best soundtracks. I didn’t care for the soundtrack at first because there ws nothing that stood out for me. I fet that in parts Zimmer’s characteristic accoustic bombast was competing with the scene and soundffects for centerstage. Upon my second viewing without being visually overwhelmed by the visuals, I could better appreciate the soundtrack. It’s brilliant and this video illustrates that brilliance. Thank you.

Fantastic video. Perfectly articulated my feelings on the score in an insightful and digestible manner. We were so blessed to have Hans in collaboration with Villeneuve for Dune!

This music, more than any other aspect of the film, reflected what I felt while reading the books. In my head, I always envisioned a little more...color? And more trippy surreal imagery that I felt the Lynch version captured fairly well. But I totally understand why Villeneuve approached the look of his version the way he did. Zimmer captured the surreal, the epic, the terrifying and the power of the desert as well as the loneliness of Paul's journey of self-discovery. I think the sequel (or second part) is gonna be INSANE.

I have never watched a movie where the score and sounds fused together with cinematography so much that they created their own magical vibe that wouldn't be possible with only the (albeit amazing) score and cinematography by themselves.

The rhythmic drum hit is the coolest sound ever

Only just found your channel, but your edited and snappy dialogue make for superb content.

Wow. Great to finally see a thoughtful spotlight... on the brilliant yet overlooked score for Dune... by Hans Zimmer. This music is fundamentally vital... yet skillfully transparent. Thanks.

Dude, you absolutely nailed what I've been trying to figure out since I saw this movie. I loved it when I saw it but something felt, off. I read the book and knew all the background info but it felt like most of it was rushed through, even though everything (besides Liet Kynes' backstory) was pretty much covered. I never considered the score's effect on the perceived pacing could play that big of a role. Even though the score was possibly my favorite part of the film, I never considered it could contribute to what I had not enjoyed as much. Brilliantly done, how you make these observations for these video topics I'll never be smart enough to understand

I definitely recommend listening to the sketchbook album as it basically explains what the various musical cues mean, like this video does but obviously in more detail.

Thank you so much for creating and sharing! I really appreciate you pinpointing the specific sounds and themes and what they represent, and show how they interact throughout the film. I didn't realize Duncan had a theme, and then for it to be played as Paul is about to fight, that brings an emotional element. Oh, forgot to mention I also found is striking that the first thing we're introduced to is this alien sounding voice and language. It really intrigued me, and it fits well with your analysis of the score's role.

I have to say I'm really impressed with the devotion you clearly bring to your craft. And you're very young - I see a bright future out there for you. Good luck!

Sound and score is equally as important to me in a movie as anything else, probably even more because those are the parts of movies/shows that always stick with me and keep me coming back. I was so excited to hear Hans’ work, and man, he truly delivered. This video is really well done! You gave me many insights into the intricacy of this score

I can't criticise Zimmer too much for this, but the OST was overused in the edit. It would be interesting to find out what percentage of the film had either OST or significant soundscape. It must be around 90%. Edit: You mentioned this! Completely agree.

The score is just a massive part of this movie. Hanz Zimmer never fails to move your soul.

First video I’ve seen from you, and I gotta say this was really well done and I like your approach. You have a very conversational tone and your voice doesn’t drown out the music you’re trying to express your thoughts on, doesn’t feel like you’re aggressively explaining or talking to the audience like you know more than them. Just a guy giving his take and I appreciate that

One of the best film scores of all time was Elmer Bernstein's "The Great Escape". Watch the movie a few times, then just listen to the score, and the scene from the movie will appear in your imagination. And the score for "Dune"? Like the movie itself, masterful. I am already awaiting Part 2.

This is the best video on the Dune score I've seen - bravo! Love the analysis, really makes the genius in a film I loved so much more accessible. Thank you Thomas!!

absolutely brilliant details that i never would have noticed otherwise. great video, this made me appreciate the score even more. seeing it in imax was insane, you could feel the sound.

Wow, can’t believe I’m just finding this video years later. Very well done, friend. Glad this score had such an impact on you - That goes much appreciated, you have no idea! Hope you’re ready for Part II next year!

For real, great work man. As I learn more of the movie, I still can believe how much craft and dedication went into it. For example, if you look at 7:41, the color grading is reminding us of both world: Caladan (greenish) and Arrakis (tan) that you can see at 7:30. Man, I can't wait for Part 2.

I knew I loved Dune after watching it, yet at the same time I felt like it being structured as an entry point to the universe made the story off in some way. Now I know why I loved it instantly - it's an experience that is not a traditional cinema one specifically, rather one more akin to taking in a painting

I am really enjoying your high quality videos. Your explanations give me a deeper respect to the art, beauty and skill that creators put into movies. Your delivery is well thought out, thanks for high quality content bud.

This was a great video man. Very insightful. Your breakdowns did something for me that I didn’t think possible… it made me love the movie more than I already did.

I found the score to be really operatic, frequently pulling you through scenes even more than the visuals.

beautiful video, totally amazing to hear how well hans zimmer incorporated themes of the story in the score. And yes your critique is spot onnn, i remember watching the movie and also telling myself that some scenes become LESS emotional since its added onto the acting...Anyways loved it

this analysis was very interesting thank you! I loved the score from the moment I heard parts of it in the trailer, and seeing and hearing it in imax was truly an experience, and now I really understand what made those sounds so intriguing and otherwordly. This might be Hans Zimmer's best work, truly.

You put it so well!

This movies score was top-tier, Zimmer really outdid himself

I feel like I'm out of place with the fact that I loved that the music was almost constant. I love the feeling of being crushed by the music and having it drive into my head. Might also be why I'm a fan of Monolord for a similar experience of being wrapped in a cloak of sound.

Dude. Incredible analysis. Seriously. You were clear, concise, and insightful, from beginning to end. The connections you pointed out completely opened my mind to a whole other layer of the film I hadn't truly considered. I love the score, but never really scratched the surface of why. Fascinating stuff.

When I first watched this in IMAX and saw that Navigator ship for the first time, followed by scenes with the Imperial ship descending and standing tall among the mountains, I was in such spellbound awe that I actually got moved to tears. And that's entirely because of the music. It's designed in such a way that it feels so grand and so much bigger than you that you have no choice but to be lost in it

My favorite way 2 themes are mixed together in a movie is in lord of the ring, when they are huntuing the uruk-hai, you get served a mashup of the fellowship theme and the 5/4 theme of isengard

Great video, as I haven't thought about Dune's soundtrack before. But I think it kind of is what Hans Zimmer has done many times before, using minimalistic themes (that are so minimalistic that you basically couldn't call them themes in a musical way if it wasn't film music) to let the audience remember stuff. What you explain in the video are the basics of leitmotif usage in film music and musical drama. And using leitmotifs is not a sign of quality in of itself I think. How the themes are used in Dune seems a little on the nose to me, but still effective enough to work. "If Zimmer had been relying on a melody to communicate these ideas this would have been a lot more difficult..." is very true, doing that would be indeed more difficult. It is what every soundtrack with leitmotifs does though, even more effectively. What Zimmer does in the scene you described is more like letting the audience remember that the Bene Gesserit and House Atreides exist, while other composers would have made that connection way more subtle and way more complex at the same time (for example in Lord of the Rings most themes are related to each other, originating in one tiny idea, which allows the soundtrack to make connections between various ideas to make statements about the film's themes by simply existing). What makes the Dune soundtrack stand out though is the sounddesign itself, which is not Zimmer's work alone, but instead the work of him and his whole team if I'm not wrong. Most of the sounds are pretty awesome and give the film a really dense atmosphere. I think Zimmer definitely knows how to produce a soundtrack, while I never loved or hated the music itself - it is okay. The music does what it has to do for the film to work, which is the least it could do. I would agree that they could have had more scenes without soundtrack. The effect of the silence in the scenes you showcased was incredible. On the other hand, it was remarkable how fast the film felt eventhough it was in fact a long film.

Brilliant, insightful and well-written analysis. Subscribed.

One of my favourite videos about Dune. Such an epic movie and a great use of score. Thank you!

I agree that the score does seem to be a 2.5 hour affair as long as the film and you are right some scenes without seem more intense, urgent and pace better without the score - i.e. when Leto asks Jessica/BG to protect Paul. It was a pretty much a score-driven film and Villeneuve is known to not over-use score in his films. Perhaps at most an artistic decision designed to expand the feeling and setting of Dune, world building through sound and voices.

Hands-down, one of the best film scores I've ever had the pleasure of hearing! Absolutely out of this world. Thank you so much, Hans Zimmer.

I love your analysis of the soundtrack and how it relates to characters and their development. Excellent!

got chills multiple times hearing this score again. love the details you pointed out and how Hans Zimmer actually strayed away from motifs

Thanks a lot for this breakdown! I have always felt the background sound/score has a huge impact to me emotionally while watching the movie but couldn’t really tell why, your video is most enlightening

Wow, what a great video! I feel like scores are often overlooked when analysing movies and especially with Zimmer scores it often adds layers to the movies. I feel sorry for everybody who hasn´t seen this movie with massive speakers in a cinema. And it`s crazy that Zimmer only has 1 Oscar to date, hope that will change next year.

Loved this analysis! So nice to slow down and think about these scenes.

Amazing explanation showing the depth in this film's score. Thank you.

Great breakdown. Zimmer's a genius, musical storytelling at its finest!

Zimmer's unique use of score and sound to support story telling in Dune is related to the Bene Gesserit. The Bene Gesserit use phonetic and tonal elements in speech to command and affect people with a message. Zimmer uses music like the Bene Gesserit use language; as a way of delivering messages and affecting others. The music also embodies the metaphysical and mystical elements of the Bene Gesserit, just like you said. Zimmer's careful use of sounds also emphasizes language as an important plot device in the Dune story. By speaking and commanding others, the Bene Gesserit affect the consequences in the Dune universe. Herbert focused on this importance of language to the story by adding a glossary to the original novel. Zimmer also reflects on the importance of speech, by incorporating cries and whispers in his score. Herbert also used borrowed terms from different cultures! Like "kwisatz haderach", literally "a leap forward" in Hebrew. Zimmer focused on the primal and vocal elements of cultures (Instruments, singing) rather than language, of course. I love how both of these creative people found ways to use their craft to deliver similar messages, however differently.

incredible breakdown! the sound design is the reason why i keep going back to rewatch the film -- i hear the score too as i'm reading the novel for the first time

This video is so well done. Thankyou!!

I'm glad you pointed out at the end that the sound editing needed some work. I completely agree. It was an amazing score but honestly it emotionally overloaded me throughout the movie to where I didn't feel as much in those important moments as I should have, I think because big score moments usually accompany big emotion moments and having the score so present throughout the whole film made it feel like everything was supposed to be important making nothing important.

Wow what a great analysis you've done here. I'm a long time Dune nerd, and a professional musician and composer. I think what they've accomplished via sound design and score is something really astounding and probably so unusual that I don't think any of us have fully appreciated it yet. Gonna take some time to sink in to the cultural consciousness.

Great video! I was struck by those cello legato lines that sound so grave and dark, and support a single moment. Those armonic motifs made the movie for me, by themselves I thought were masterful.

Great analysis of the score. I learned a lot from your video. Just saw Dune last weekend and I was blown away by the experience. Now listening to the score in full.

I've been repeating the score in my head for days.

I've been advocating music/score for so long....it's literally half the movie for me, can change a movie from mediocre to incredible. Dune happens to be an incredible movie with an incredible score...so it's a masterpiece lol

This movie had so much impact on me. The visuals were just so beautiful, the acting was on point and the score by Hans Zimmer was outstanding yet haunting at the same time, especially the Sardauker chant and Harkonnen theme. And that's why Dune is one of my favourite movies of all time, and why Denis Villenueve is one of my top favourite filmmakers.