THERE WILL BE BLOOD (2007)

Summary:

Set in the early 20th century, "There Will Be Blood" chronicles the rise of Daniel Plainview, a ruthless and ambitious silver miner turned oilman, in Southern California. Driven by an insatiable hunger for wealth, Plainview exploits both the land and the people around him in his relentless pursuit of oil.

The film explores profound themes of capitalism, religion, greed, and the corrupting nature of power, as Plainview's ambition brings him into bitter conflict with Eli Sunday, a charismatic young preacher who believes he can profit from Plainview's success. Their escalating rivalry forms the moral and dramatic core of this epic tale of American ambition and moral decay.

Keywords: There Will Be Blood, 2007, Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Epic Drama, Greed, Oil, Religion.

Plot:

In 1898, Daniel Plainview, a prospector, discovers oil in California. Over the next decade, he builds a successful drilling operation, adopting an orphan boy, H.W., as his son and business partner. Plainview is contacted by Paul Sunday, who informs him of an oil field on his family's ranch in Little Boston. Plainview visits the ranch, owned by Paul's twin brother, Eli Sunday, a charismatic young preacher who runs the "Church of the Third Revelation." Plainview buys the ranch and surrounding properties, agreeing to build a church for Eli's congregation.

Plainview's operations bring prosperity to the town but also cause environmental damage and accidents, including an oil well explosion that deafens H.W. and kills a worker. Eli blames Plainview, leading to a public humiliation of Plainview by Eli during a church service. Plainview retaliates by humiliating Eli during a baptism, cementing their bitter rivalry. Their conflict escalates over decades, marked by Plainview's increasing isolation, paranoia, and alcoholism, culminating in a violent and tragic confrontation in 1927.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview
• Paul Dano as Paul Sunday / Eli Sunday
• Dillon Freasier as H.W. Plainview (child)
• Ciarán Hinds as Fletcher Hamilton

Crew:

• Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
• Screenwriter: Paul Thomas Anderson
• Producer: Paul Thomas Anderson, Joanne Sellar, Daniel Lupi
• Composer: Jonny Greenwood
• Cinematographer: Robert Elswit

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: December 27, 2007
• Language: English
• Genre: Epic Drama, Period Drama
• Running Time: 158 minutes
• Accolades: Academy Award for Best Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis), Academy Award for Best Cinematography, BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Daniel Day-Lewis), Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear for Best Director.