Things To Come (1936) × Dune Main Title (1984) — Futurism Across 50 Years

A score‑driven cinematic reinterpretation of a classic film sequence.

Set to the orchestral “Prologue/Main Title” from Dune (1984), performed by Toto, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Volksoper Choir, this edit re‑imagines the final chapter of William Cameron Menzies’ Things To Come (1936).

The 2036 sequence—originally a utopian vision of mankind preparing its first space launch—is reframed here with the dramatic weight of the Dune score. The music highlights the tension between John Cabal (Raymond Massey), who champions humanity’s expansion into space, and Theotocopulos (Sir Cedric Hardwicke), who fears that technological ambition will repeat the horrors of the 70 years‑long war that preceded this future society.

Hardwicke’s theatrical presence, especially his giant holographic address and his rally at the mountain launch site, becomes even more powerful when paired with the Dune theme. His voice, already commanding, now echoes through the scene with mythic intensity.

This footage—converted to widescreen and edited to match the musical structure—shows how visionary Things To Come truly was. Its imagined 2036 feels even more futuristic when paired with the sweeping, prophetic score from Dune nearly fifty years later.