In Denis Villeneuve’s 'Dune,' the arrival of House Atreides on Arrakis is accompanied by a thunderous, ancient sound: the bagpipes. Composer Hans Zimmer wanted a sound that felt 'earthen' and ancestral for the Atreides family. He utilized 30 bagpipers to record the theme, creating a massive wall of sound. The bagpipe is an ancient instrument using a bag to provide a constant supply of air to reeds, and it is traditionally associated with Scottish military honor. By placing this very 'Earthly' instrument in a far-future space legend, Zimmer created a sense of historical weight and tradition. The bagpipes provided a stark contrast to the electronic, wind-like sounds of the desert planet, helping to define the Atreides as a legendary dynasty with deep roots.