THERE BE DRAGONS – The Review

Often when film makers set a story around a certain historical period they will include many real people interacting with the fictional characters. This is the case with films as varied as RAGTIME and THE ROCKETEER ( which featured a young Howard Hughes ).  In the new film THERE BE DRAGONS writer/director Roland Joffe has done the opposite in creating several fictional characters to tell the real story of Josemaria Escriva, the Spanish priest who founded Opus Dei and, after his death in 1975, was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002. With this dramatic device Joffe is able to give a greater over view of the world events that affected this most recent Roman Catholic Saint.

The film begins less than a decade ago with Robert ( Dougray Scott ) a writer in Madrid who is researching the life of the new candidate for sainthood Josemaria Escriva. Although they are estranged Robert attempts to contact his aged father Manolo ( Wes Bentley ) who still lives in the city. While living a message on his father’s answering machine, Roberts mentions his research on Josemaria. Manolo picks up the phone and refers to his friendship with the priest  many years ago. The story shifts to 1911 when the two nine year old boys were fast friends. Unfortunately The business of Josemaria’s father fails and Manolo’s prosperous family ( they own a chocolate factory ) force him to stop seeing the now impoverished lad. Later the two boys are enrolled in the seminary where they come to blows in the courtyard. Manolo soon joins the family business while Josemaria ( Charlie Cox ) decides to enter the priesthood. Soon he proposes an idea to the church elders about establishing a religious commune he dubs Opus Dei. Meanwhile the stress of dealing with striking factory workers causes Manolo’s father to suffer a fatal heart attack. Josemaria meets with Manolo to console him, but the bitter man rejects him and his faith. Soon Manolo is contacted by the military forces attempting to take control of Spain ( aided by the Axis forces ). They want Manolo to join the freedom fighters and be a spy. There he falls for an Hungarian woman Ildiko ( Olga Kurlylenko ) whose heart belongs to their charismatic leader Oriol ( Rodrigo Santoro ). Meanwhile Josemaria must hide with her Opus Dei followers during the tensions of the Spainish Civil War when priests were killed on sight in the streets. After much soul searching the decide to leave Spain and make the trek through the Pyrenees mountains. During this time of unrest will the paths of the two men cross again? And can Robert and his father ever reconcile?

This is an epic story of courage and hardship told confidently by Joffe, who’s helmed many similar stories ( THE KILLING FIELDS,THE MISSION ). Argentna doubles nicely for war torn Spain. Cox portrays Josemaria as a dedicated young man occasionally wracked with doubt. I was surprised to see Bentley as the co-lead of this sweeping saga. He had made a big impression in AMERICAN BEAUTY, but quickly drifted to smaller roles and films. This role should bring him back to the cinema big leagues. Unfortunately the modern days scenes have saddled him with a scraggly grey wig and some mediocre old age makeup. Scott is compelling as the dedicated researcher and conflicted son. Geraldine Chaplin and Derek Jacobi shine in their short scenes. I didn’t know much about Josemaria, so I was surprised to hear see him create Opus Dei. I only knew that sect from THE DA VINCI CODE and there is a brief scene of self-flogging. Aside from that sequence, I found his story very interesting while Manolo’s fictional story of battlefield betrayal felt like a replay of FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS. He’s  such a petty, bitter, cruel character that seems too much of an extreme contrast to the saintly Josemaria. Still if you wish to know more of this man of the cloth and of the Spanish Civil War, this film is a good place to begin.

Overall Rating: Three Out of Five Stars