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There Be Dragons is an epic, action-adventure romance set during the Spanish Civil War and directed by Hollywood legend Roland Joffe (The Killing Fields). The story traces the lives of two men - childhood friends who become separated by the political turmoil of pre-war Spain only to find themselves on opposite sides when the war erupts. One becomes a priest, founding the Opus Dei movement, the other is an activist who becomes a spy for the fascist movement. As both personal and national battles are waged, the characters' lives collide and their deepest struggles are illuminated through the fateful choices they make.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a well produced film based on the life of the founder of Opus Dei through the presumably fictitious eyes of a contemporary and former friend. I won't spoil the plot for you. I was impressed with the film in terms of acting, locations and scenes, and the overall message which is that of Opus Dei: that God can be found in the everyday lives and duties of each person. Highly recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film is `inspired by true events', and as such takes quite a lot of poetic licence. The story begins with Robert, a journalist, (Dougray Scott) being asked to investigate the life of Jose Maria Escriva (Charlie Cox), as he is about to be Canonised. He discovers that his estranged father went to the same seminary as him and so uses it as an excuse to reconnect with his dying patriarch.
The story then starts to be told in flash back and we start around 1911 when the two boys were friends. It turns out that his father knows a lot more than most and all of their lives are sort of intertwined. The real story takes place during The Spanish Civil War (1936 -39) where Manolo (Roberts dad played by Wes Bentley) gets involved with both sides in the fighting.
The story of the War is told in tandem with that of Jose Maria as he becomes the modern founder of Opus Dei and does charitable works and faces many threats; being a Priest he is particularly susceptible to summary execution at the hands of the Republicans/Communists/Socialists/Anarchists or what ever you want to call the `legitimate Government'.
This is written and directed by Roland Joffe (`The Mission' and `The Killing Fields') and had a fairly big budget that was actually quite well spent. The battle scenes are effective, with good CGI where it is used. The direction is excellent and the acting is all above par. But the narrative drives this and as ever there are some stretches of belief required a couple of times. To say any more would be a plot spoiler. It is also just over two hours long, but it does not feel like a long film and I thought it ended quite quickly as I was up for more. So despite the few flaws this is really rather good. Despite the subject matter this is all in English, although there are attempts at Spanish accents. There are a couple of cameos from Charles Dance and Derek Jacobi too.
This may not be Joffe's best film but is far from being a bad one. If you are an historically accurate fan there will be things to take issue with, but if you want a rather original film set against the background of a tragic episode in World history then this should be one to get.
The story then starts to be told in flash back and we start around 1911 when the two boys were friends. It turns out that his father knows a lot more than most and all of their lives are sort of intertwined. The real story takes place during The Spanish Civil War (1936 -39) where Manolo (Roberts dad played by Wes Bentley) gets involved with both sides in the fighting.
The story of the War is told in tandem with that of Jose Maria as he becomes the modern founder of Opus Dei and does charitable works and faces many threats; being a Priest he is particularly susceptible to summary execution at the hands of the Republicans/Communists/Socialists/Anarchists or what ever you want to call the `legitimate Government'.
This is written and directed by Roland Joffe (`The Mission' and `The Killing Fields') and had a fairly big budget that was actually quite well spent. The battle scenes are effective, with good CGI where it is used. The direction is excellent and the acting is all above par. But the narrative drives this and as ever there are some stretches of belief required a couple of times. To say any more would be a plot spoiler. It is also just over two hours long, but it does not feel like a long film and I thought it ended quite quickly as I was up for more. So despite the few flaws this is really rather good. Despite the subject matter this is all in English, although there are attempts at Spanish accents. There are a couple of cameos from Charles Dance and Derek Jacobi too.
This may not be Joffe's best film but is far from being a bad one. If you are an historically accurate fan there will be things to take issue with, but if you want a rather original film set against the background of a tragic episode in World history then this should be one to get.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Director Roland Joffe has made a fair attempt to portray the early years in the life of Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer, founder of Opus Dei the Organisation, Branch, Section, Extremely Religious Order,call it what you will of the Catholic Church that is allegedly 'shrouded in mystery' but IS really no more than THAT - extremely devout!
Joffe takes us from Jose Marias' childhood through the eyes of his close friend and on into his teenage years when he joins the Seminary and has the first thoughts of what is to become Opus Dei.But this isn't a film purely about religion? It involves of course love,hatred,death,jealousy,torture and everything else that went with the period that was The Spanish Civil War,the worst of ALL Wars, when Fathers killed Sons and Brothers killed Brothers all because of their Political beliefs!
The Church and its' Priests were especially targetted and the Battle scenes are very realistic.
Personally I think that Joffe has made a very interesting film of what many people would perhaps have thought would be simply just another religious film. Well acted, especially convincing by Charlie Cox in the lead role, filmed in Spain and Argentina.
Joffe takes us from Jose Marias' childhood through the eyes of his close friend and on into his teenage years when he joins the Seminary and has the first thoughts of what is to become Opus Dei.But this isn't a film purely about religion? It involves of course love,hatred,death,jealousy,torture and everything else that went with the period that was The Spanish Civil War,the worst of ALL Wars, when Fathers killed Sons and Brothers killed Brothers all because of their Political beliefs!
The Church and its' Priests were especially targetted and the Battle scenes are very realistic.
Personally I think that Joffe has made a very interesting film of what many people would perhaps have thought would be simply just another religious film. Well acted, especially convincing by Charlie Cox in the lead role, filmed in Spain and Argentina.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Moving Story of Forgiveness and Redemption Set Around the Spanish...
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Published 2 months ago by Nicodemus
Well, you can't always trust the reviews!
I bought this based on its subject matter, but also on reviews from various sources, including some I usually find trustworthy. Well, what a disappointment! Read more
Published 8 months ago by alpha Tau
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