There Be Dragons Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grumpy dying dad’s journalist son digs into his past and his saintly friend’s life during the Spanish Civil War, uncovering family secrets and proving that forgiveness is complicated, especially when dragons (metaphorical ones!) are involved.

🍿 There Be Dragons: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Investigating a Saint’s Past

The film begins in the present day with Robert Torres, a London-based investigative journalist. He is tasked with researching the life of Josemaría Escrivá, the controversial founder of Opus Dei, who is a candidate for canonization. This investigation brings him into contact with his estranged father, Manolo Torres.

A Complicated Connection Uncovered

Robert discovers that his father, Manolo, was not only born in the same Spanish town as Josemaría but was also his childhood friend and attended the same seminary for a time. Their lives took dramatically different paths, leading to a complex and often dark relationship that Robert begins to unravel through his research and conversations with his father.

Friendship and Conflict During the Spanish Civil War

The story flashes back to the tumultuous period of the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. While Josemaría pursues his religious calling amidst persecution, Manolo becomes deeply involved in the conflict, swept up in its brutality and factionalism. Their diverging paths reflect the wider divisions tearing Spain apart, setting the stage for betrayal and personal struggles.

Personal Battles and Defining Choices

Amidst the backdrop of war, both men face intense personal challenges. Josemaría struggles with his faith and his mission to find God in ordinary life, while Manolo grapples with obsession, jealousy, and the moral compromises demanded by the conflict. These internal battles lead them to pivotal choices with lasting consequences for themselves and those around them.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Josemaría Escrivá (Charlie Cox): A compassionate priest and founder of Opus Dei whose life and path to canonization are explored through the memories of his estranged friend.
• Manolo Torres (Wes Bentley): Josemaría’s troubled childhood friend who becomes deeply entangled in the brutality and betrayals of the Spanish Civil War.
• Roberto Torres (Dougray Scott): A journalist investigating Josemaría Escrivá who uncovers dark family secrets while seeking reconciliation with his dying, estranged father Manolo.
• Oriol (Rodrigo Santoro): A courageous military leader in the Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War.
• Ildiko (Olga Kurylenko): A captivating revolutionary whose relationship with Oriol becomes the destructive focus of Manolo’s jealousy and obsession.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Josemaría Escrivá: “When you forgive you set someone free. Yourself.” – A key line expressing his philosophy on the power and personal benefit of forgiveness, a central theme of the film.
• Manolo Torres: “There will be dragons.” – Said by the elderly Manolo to his son, explaining that revisiting the past, particularly his own difficult history, involves confronting dangerous, uncharted emotional territory.
• Young Manolo Torres: “My dad had more money… but Josemaria had more dad.” – A line from his childhood reflecting his envy of Josemaría’s loving family life despite the difference in their social class.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $36,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,069,334
• Worldwide Gross: $4,372,642

💥 There Be Dragons Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this expecting maybe a standard historical drama, but it was definitely more. The Spanish Civil War setting was brutal and visually striking – parts of it really made me feel the chaos and fear people lived through. What really got me thinking was the relationship between the father and son, and how the past secrets kept them apart. Watching the father, Manolo, grapple with his choices from the war was intense. Wes Bentley did a great job showing that inner turmoil. The Josemaría Escrivá storyline felt a bit different; it was more about enduring hardship and finding faith amidst the madness. Charlie Cox was really earnest in the role. It wasn’t always an easy watch, some parts dragged a little, but the themes of forgiveness and trying to understand why people do what they do stuck with me. It’s a movie that makes you reflect on your own life and the ‘dragons’ you face.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas, especially those set during wartime”
  • “Viewers interested in the Spanish Civil War”
  • “Audiences interested in biographical films about religious figures like Josemaría Escrivá”
  • “Those who appreciate films exploring themes of faith, forgiveness, and redemption”
  • “Viewers who enjoy complex narratives told through flashbacks”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “War violence and brutality”
  • “Disturbing images related to conflict”
  • “Mature themes: betrayal, death, religious persecution, family estrangement”

Professional Reviews

• Film Critic (Based on User Reviews): “Roland Joffé’s return feels technically impressive, especially the cinematography capturing 1930s Spain. However, the script often feels uneven, juggling the historical figure of Josemaría with a fictional family drama. While it aims for deep themes like forgiveness, some dialogues feel forced, and the pacing can be slow, leading to a less compelling experience than his earlier works.
• Film Critic (Based on User Reviews): “This film takes on ambitious themes – faith, war, betrayal, redemption – but struggles with its structure. The intertwining narratives don’t always mesh smoothly, and some critics felt it leaned too heavily into hagiography for one character while leaving others underdeveloped. While the visuals are strong, the overall execution lacks the punch or depth needed to fully realize its potential.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers found the film deeply thought-provoking and emotionally impactful.: The themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the struggle between good and evil resonated strongly with those who appreciated the film’s spiritual depth. The cinematography and historical recreation were also frequently praised.

Some viewers felt the film was slow-paced, confusing, or potentially biased.: Criticism often centered on the narrative structure being disjointed, the pacing being too slow or boring for some, and questions about the film’s historical accuracy or perceived propaganda related to Opus Dei.

Overall Consensus: Audience and critical reception is sharply divided. While many found ‘There Be Dragons’ to be a profound, moving historical drama with excellent visuals and powerful themes of forgiveness, others were put off by its pacing, perceived bias, and uneven storytelling.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film’s title is inspired by the phrase ‘here be dragons’, traditionally written on old maps to mark dangerous or unexplored territories.”
• “Despite being set in Spain, a significant portion of the film was shot in Luján, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.”
• “The movie received a re-edit and re-release in the USA in 2012 under the title “There Be Dragons: Secrets of Passion”, featuring a shorter runtime (106 minutes) and a new musical score by Robert Folk.”
• “The film had an estimated budget of $36 million but grossed only slightly over $4.3 million worldwide, making it a significant box office disappointment.”

🖥️ How to Watch There Be Dragons?

Information regarding specific streaming platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, or purchase/rental options for “There Be Dragons” was not available in the provided source material. To find where to watch this film, please search major digital storefronts and streaming service libraries.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed There Be Dragons, you might like these similar films:

• The Mission (1986): Directed by the same filmmaker, Roland Joffé, this film also deals with faith, political conflict, moral dilemmas, and violence in a historical setting, much like ‘There Be Dragons’.
• Pan’s Labyrinth (2006): Set during and immediately after the Spanish Civil War, it explores the harsh realities of the conflict through the eyes of a child, blending historical drama with thematic depth regarding choices and survival.
• Silence (2016): Focuses on the struggles of faith and conscience under intense persecution in a historical context, exploring themes of doubt, commitment, and the nature of belief, similar to aspects of Josemaría’s journey.
• Land and Freedom (1995): Provides an alternative, more politically focused perspective on the Spanish Civil War from the Republican side, appealing to viewers interested in the historical backdrop of ‘There Be Dragons’.
• Calvary (2014): A character study of a good priest facing challenges, faith, and hostility, this film delves into themes of forgiveness and the personal cost of living by one’s principles, albeit in a modern setting.

🛒 There Be Dragons Related Products

• There Be Dragons Blu-ray/DVD: Own the epic historical drama that explores faith, war, and forgiveness. Features stunning cinematography and a compelling narrative set during the Spanish Civil War.
• The Spanish Civil War: A Concise Account: Gain deeper historical context for the film’s setting with this well-regarded history of the Spanish Civil War. Explores the complex political and social dynamics of the era.
• The Way by Josemaría Escrivá: Explore the spiritual writings of St. Josemaría Escrivá, a key figure in the film. This book offers insights into his teachings on finding holiness in everyday life.
• Historical Drama Film Collection (e.g., The Mission): A collection of critically acclaimed historical dramas, including other films by director Roland Joffé or movies set during significant historical conflicts, focusing on human stories.

🎧 Soundtrack

There Be Dragons features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Theme (Attributed)” – performed by Robert Folk
• “Wartime Shadows” – performed by Robert Folk
• “The Path of Faith” – performed by Robert Folk
• “Redemption and Forgiveness” – performed by Robert Folk

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

007 Interview : Olga Kurylenko (Bond Babe) – Centurion, The Cross, There be Dragons

Ever wonder what it was like to play Etain in Centurion? Check out this chat with Olga Kurylenko – she gives some cool glimpses into her preparation, even if she touches on her Bond days too!

✨ Rate