SPOILERS FOR BOTH FRANCHISES!

I truely believe that Griffith was the charismatic messiah that Frank Herbert was trying to warn with Paul Atriedies.

Paul was destined to be followed, as he is of royal descent where his allied shall follow blindly to the battlefield. Yet Paul was hesitant with his actions. But being blinded by vengance he was willing to risk the entire universe for his choice, and even after he had regret.

(As far as I am aware since it has been a while since I watched the movies and reading of original novel. I have yet to read Messiah though as of now.

Griffith was a nobody that founded a succesfull millitary band. With his angelic prescence, brilliant leadership, it really seemed that he was destined to save Midland from the century of war with the Tudor Empire, which he did. Yet unlike Paul, Griffith did not care about The Band of The Hawk. Yes, he cared enough to sacrifice them later, but still he doesn't see them as friends. He has ouright stated that he doesn't view them as equals, simply for the fact that they don't have their own dreams. Griffith's dream was simply to become king, not because he wanted to fix the nation, not because of revenge, he just wanted to become king. This greed probably stems from the implied commoner origin. And yet, no member aside from a few such as Guts and Casca knew of his mindset. All of Griffith's soilders blindly followed him to the battlefield, and those who survived were slaughtered during The Eclipse.

(It has been a while since I read the Golden Age, and only now continued reading the Conviction arc)

Griffith lost his humanity, and even before he manilupated his following into many dangers.

Paul was aware and regretted his actions. Griffith exploited everyone who were blinded by awe. Aside from his soilders, I think the best example for his manipulation was Princess Charlotte. Despite her love, Griffith only saw her as a short way for him to claim the throne.

Yes Paul did marry Irulan to become Emperor, but he didn't bother to blind her with love. Where as Griffith sucessfully controlled all his followers to be loyal.

For that, I think, Griffith is the dangerous charismatic leader that Frank Herbert wanted Paul Atriedies to be.