William Hurt stars as Duke Leto Atreides, charged to rule the desolate planet Arrakis, the universes only source of Melange, a spice that enhances mental performance and makes interstellar travel possible. But soon Leto's bitter enemy, the evil Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Ian McNeice), a former ruler, wins back Arrakis and hands over power to his brutal nephew, Rabban. When the Atreides family escape into the inhospitable desert with the help of the Fremen - a race of displaced desert nomads - the strengthening power of Melange enables Paul (Alec Newman), the Duke's son, to organize the oppressed Fremen and wage war on the Empire.