How Realistic Is the Fremen Sand Attack in Dune?

[Whitestar]

In Sci-Fi Channel's "Dune", there is a scene in which the Fremen attack Gurney Halleck and his men in a really cool fashion: They pop up from the sand and attack them.

Here is a clip of that scene:

I would imagine that for this to work, an oxygen mask would be required, at the very least.

My question is, how realistic is this type of attack? That is, how could such an attack tactic work in real life such as popping up from the sand? Would it require the aid of some kind of technology or is this pure fantasy?

 

[Rive]

My question is, how realistic is this type of attack?

Not realistic at all. The movie is ~ from the same years when it was about ninjas popping up from everywhere: from the ground, from the woods, from thin air. It's the same.

Some camouflage might be possible, but for that you better reference the Lord of the Rings movie instead:

 

[AlexTheParticle]

Well, in the world of Dune, the Fremen are highly skilled and trained warriors who have adapted to the harsh desert environment of the planet Arrakis. They have developed techniques and technology that allow them to move swiftly and silently through the sand, making it possible for them to "pop up" and surprise their enemies.

In real life, such an attack would definitely require some kind of technology and equipment. It's not something that could be done by a person alone. In fact, in the Dune novels, the Fremen use specialized stillsuits and sandworm hooks to navigate through the sand.

That being said, there are some real-life examples of similar tactics being used in warfare. For example, in the Afghan-Soviet War, the Mujahideen fighters used a tactic called "burrowing" where they would dig tunnels and pop up to attack Soviet troops. However, this was a much slower and less dramatic version of the Fremen's sand attack.

So, while the Fremen's attack in Dune may be a bit exaggerated and fantastical, there are some elements of realism to it. With the right technology and training, a similar tactic could potentially be used in real life. But for now, it remains a cool and impressive scene in the sci-fi world.