Baron Vladimir Harkonnen is one of the main antagonists in Frank Herbert's Dune novel as well as its film adaptation by David Lynch. Portrayed in the film by the late Kenneth McMillan, the Baron is a grotesque, swollen blob of a man who is unable to move under his own power, requiring anti-gravity suspensors to support him. Cunning, cruel and utterly ruthless, Baron Vladimir is a maniacal, perverse and power-hungry tyrant who leads House Harkonnen through subterfuge, blackmail and torture, making him a notorious figure within the Lansraad. He and his family have long-feuded with the noble House Atreides and the Baron's scheming with Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV almost brought about the Atreides' downfall.
History[]
In both the novel and film, Baron Vladimir conspires with Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV to destroy House Atreides, whom the Emperor now regards as a threat to his rule. The Harkonnens are ordered to withdraw from the desert world of Arrakis so that the Atreides will take over spice mining operations, but the Harkonnens will return at an appointed time reinforced by the Emperor's elite Sardaukar forces.
To ensure the plan's success, Baron Vladimir and his twisted mentat Piter de Vries blackmail Duke Leto Atreides' personal physician, Dr. Wellington Yueh. Yueh sabotages the defences surrounding the Imperial Residence in Arrakeen and incapacitates the Duke, leaving the Atreides ill-prepared when the Harkonnens invade. While Yueh managed to save the lives of Lady Jessica and Leto's son Paul, as well as preventing the Duke's signet ring from falling into the Baron's clutches, the Harkonnens destroy the Atreides stronghold and reclaim control of spice mining operations.
Following the defeat of House Atreides, Baron Vladimir places his nephew Rabban in command of Arrakis and encourages him to rule through fear and violence. This is part of a long-term plan regarding the Harkonnen line of succession; with Rabban terrorizing Arrakis at present, when the Baron passes and his favoured nephew Feyd assumes leadership, Feyd will be regarded as a hero.
Death[]
In the year 10193, Baron Vladimir was summoned to Arrakis by the Emperor following Rabban's dismal attempts to manage spice production and utter failure against battling the Fremen. Shortly after the Baron's arrival at Arrakeen, the Fremen launch a full-scale attack on the Imperial Residence whilst riding atop the giant sandworms native to Arrakis. Alia, Paul's sister and messenger to the Emperor, uses her telepathic ability to urge the Baron to come closer to her. She then pricks the Baron with a poisonous Gom Jabbar, a small finger-worn needle, and the Baron cries out in pain whilst losing control of his suspensors, floating erratically in the air. The palace wall is then breached and the Baron is sent hurtling uncontrollably out into the storm where he plunges into the maw of a sandworm.