First, what I liked: The cinematography was stunning, and the the art direction created a realistic depiction of a war I really know very little about. Also, Olga Kurylenko was beautiful in a key role.
Now, what was frustrating (all of which has already been mentioned in other reviews): The biggest problem was the very weak link between the two divergent story lines of Manolo and Josémaría. Both of their stories (one fictional, the other fact-based) were compelling, but neither were allowed enough screen time to fully develop; in fact, I got the feeling that a lot of 'connective tissue' was left on the cutting room floor. (The DVD contains numerous deleted scenes that attest to this, although they seem as disjointed as everything else...) Added to the semi-present-day story of Manolo's son, this all created a disappointingly schizophrenic storyline. In the end, although I would have loved to know more of Josémaría's history, he felt like a gratuitous plot device, only there to force father and son to reconnect, and the time taken to tell his story just took time away from the others.
Additionally, I felt that the acting was made incidental by Joffe to the story he wanted to tell, and consequently it wasn't very good. There were obvious attempts by the actors to show different facets of their characters, but in this case 'obvious' is not a compliment, and it's too bad their director didn't demand more. In addition, I thought much of the script/dialog was trite and forced - just one more reason I had a hard time connecting to the characters.
Finally, it just drove me crazy that there was no consistency with regard to the use of Spanish - most times things were written in English, but sometimes not, and the accents were all over the place. I can't help feeling that this would have been much better si se hubiera hecho completamente en castellano.
Again, I really wanted to like it, but I just can't say that I did.
There Be Dragons
2011
Action / Biography / Drama / War
There Be Dragons
2011
Action / Biography / Drama / War
Plot summary
Arising out of the horror of the Spanish Civil War, a candidate for canonization is investigated by a journalist who discovers his own estranged father had a deep, dark and devastating connection to the saint's life.While researching the life of Josemaria Escriva, the controversial founder of Opus Dei, the young journalist Robert uncovers hidden stories of his estranged father Manolo, and is taken on a journey through the dark, terrible secrets of his family’s past.
Uploaded by: OTTO
July 04, 2022 at 06:06 AM
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
I wish it had been better...
This movie is mis-titled...
"There Be One Draggin' Movie" is more like it... I respect the tragedy of the Spanish Civil War and the hatred for Franco but pullllllease... get to the point... I don't want to feel EVERY bullet... the ones that should have been meant for me.... ugh!
I liked that the film reflected the pain, confusion, and agony of war but it's not the first time something has been made of the topic... the movie goes on and on and on switching between battles scenes, treachery, religious strength and doubt, love... thank God for no cheap sex scenes... maybe I just don't get it but the wringing of hands can only be put up with for so long... and NOT for two hours.... aaaaaargh!
There be Sludge
What a dirge of a movie. Trying to be an epic film about the Spanish War, the Catholic church and the unearthing of grave secrets...it really doesn't hit any of those points well.