Dune (1984)

Directed by: David Lynch

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Based on the novel by Frank Herbert. Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan) leaves his water planet with his parents to run the desert planet Arrakis, the sole planet in the universe where the precious Melange spice is mined, then leads a rebellion when his father is murdered.

Kitty Cameo: In one scene, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Kenneth McMillan) accompanies Feyd Rautha (Sting) down some stairs. Feyd is carrying a hairless white cat in a strange contraption.

Dune - Baron Vladimir Harkonnen Kenneth McMillan and Feyd Rautha Sting going down stairs with hairless white cat in contraption
Dune - Baron Vladimir Harkonnen Kenneth McMillan and Feyd Rautha Sting at foot of stairs with hairless white cat in contraption

They reach the place where Thufir Hawat (Freddie Jones) is being held captive. The Baron tells Thufir that they’ve brought him a little cat which he must care for if he wants to live.

Dune - Baron Vladimir Harkonnen Kenneth McMillan and Feyd Rautha Sting with hairless white cat in contraption
Dune - Baron Vladimir Harkonnen Kenneth McMillan and Feyd Rautha Sting with hairless white cat in contraption and Thufir Hawat Freddie Jones

The Baron goes on to explain that a poison has been introduced into Thufir. “By milking this smooth little cat’s body you receive your antidote. It must be done each day.”

Dune - hairless white cat in contraption with gray rat

It is never adequately explained why the cat is in this contraption or what milking a cat’s body entails or even why there is a rat trussed up beside the cat. And apparently none of this was in the original novel.

Dune - hairless white cat in contraption with gray rat
Dune - Baron Vladimir Harkonnen Kenneth McMillan and Feyd Rautha Sting with hairless white cat in contraption and Thufir Hawat Freddie Jones

Final Mewsings: Cats don’t understand science fiction.

Relevant Links:

IMDb logo
tcmlogo
Amazon logo
Blu Ray logo
Amazon Instant Video logo





To discuss this film and other cats in movies and on television, join us on Facebook and Twitter.

Share this with your cat and movie loving friends!