There Will Be Blood: A Tale of Ambition, Greed, and Betrayal
In the late 19th century, a man named Daniel Plainview begins his relentless pursuit of wealth and power in the unforgiving landscape of the American West.
The Spark of Greed
In 1898, Plainview, a silver prospector, stumbles upon a silver vein in New Mexico. In true rugged fashion, he uses dynamite to create a larger opening, resulting in disaster as he falls and breaks his leg. Undeterred, he hauls himself from the mine, clutching his hard-earned silver, dragging his injured body through the dirt to sell it in town. This moment sets the tone for a man unwilling to accept defeat.
By 1902, Daniel has shifted his focus to oil, establishing his own drilling company. He adopts the orphaned son, H.W. Plainview, after an accident claims the life of one of his employees. H.W. becomes a pivotal part of Daniel’s façade as a family man and hardworking local businessman in a world dominated by ruthless corporations. His orchestrated public persona attracts local landowners looking to lease their land, who are charmed by the idea of working with an 'honest' man.
In 1911, Daniel’s life intertwines with the Sunday family after he meets Paul Sunday, who reveals that oil lies beneath his family’s property in Little Boston, California. Although a tough negotiator, Paul manages to strike a deal, selling Daniel the information for five hundred dollars. Soon after, Daniel and H.W. arrive under the guise of quail hunting, forging connections with the Sunday family, including preacher Eli Sunday.
As Daniel dives deeper into the oil business, he learns that the property is indeed promising. He envisions constructing a pipeline to circumvent railroad costs, cementing his place as a burgeoning titan in the industry. However, carnal greed and cunning business tactics push him into conflicts with both the landowners and the Sunday family.
As Daniel establishes operations, the relationship between him and Eli becomes increasingly contentious. Despite Eli’s requests for a church blessing on the drilling site, Daniel brushes him aside, much to Eli’s indignation. Tensions escalate as incidents, such as a gas leak explosion resulting in H.W.'s newfound deafness, stoke the flames of discord.
The dynamic shifts when Henry Plainview, claiming to be Daniel’s half-brother, arrives, further complicating his personal life. While they initially bond over shared experiences, Daniel’s paranoia leads to tragedy when he discovers Henry’s true identity. Daniel's inability to form genuine connections reveals his deep-seated distrust and self-loathing.
The saga continues as Daniel’s ambitions clash with local interests. Despite forging ahead with the Union Oil pipeline plans, he discovers the last piece of land owned by William Bandy remains a hurdle. Bandy’s refusal to sell without conditions forces Daniel into a morally bankrupt situation—accepting baptism at the behest of Eli Sunday.
Daniel’s deteriorating relationship with his son H.W. reflects his growing isolation. H.W.’s departure to pursue his own drilling ambitions demonstrates the culmination of Daniel’s destructive single-mindedness. Their relationship, marked by a blend of love and resentment, reaches a painful climax as Daniel coldly tells H.W. he is nothing more than an orphan he picked up for appearance's sake.
With wealth amassed from his oil empire, Daniel reaches unprecedented heights, yet this success breeds contempt and loneliness. Struggling with alcoholism and regret, he is confronted by Eli—now desperate and morally bankrupt due to financial ruin in the Wall Street Crash of 1929. Eli’s situation prompts a moment of twisted justice: Daniel's disdain boils over leading to a brutal confrontation that culminates in Eli's shocking demise.
The Tragic End of Daniel Plainview
Daniel's story is ultimately one of unrelenting ambition that devours every relation, leaving nothing behind but a fractured legacy. Alone, bitter, and reflecting on the ruins of his life and choices, he sinks into despair, embodying the brutal truths of capitalism and the human condition.
There Will Be Blood offers a harrowing exploration of ambition, greed, and the cost of success in a dog-eat-dog world, marked by a protagonist whose journey leads him to become his greatest foe. Through Daniel Plainview, the film captures the essence of a man who gains the world but loses his soul.
Part 1/7:
There Will Be Blood: A Tale of Ambition, Greed, and Betrayal
In the late 19th century, a man named Daniel Plainview begins his relentless pursuit of wealth and power in the unforgiving landscape of the American West.
The Spark of Greed
In 1898, Plainview, a silver prospector, stumbles upon a silver vein in New Mexico. In true rugged fashion, he uses dynamite to create a larger opening, resulting in disaster as he falls and breaks his leg. Undeterred, he hauls himself from the mine, clutching his hard-earned silver, dragging his injured body through the dirt to sell it in town. This moment sets the tone for a man unwilling to accept defeat.
Part 2/7:
By 1902, Daniel has shifted his focus to oil, establishing his own drilling company. He adopts the orphaned son, H.W. Plainview, after an accident claims the life of one of his employees. H.W. becomes a pivotal part of Daniel’s façade as a family man and hardworking local businessman in a world dominated by ruthless corporations. His orchestrated public persona attracts local landowners looking to lease their land, who are charmed by the idea of working with an 'honest' man.
The Sunday Brothers and the Oil Discovery
Part 3/7:
In 1911, Daniel’s life intertwines with the Sunday family after he meets Paul Sunday, who reveals that oil lies beneath his family’s property in Little Boston, California. Although a tough negotiator, Paul manages to strike a deal, selling Daniel the information for five hundred dollars. Soon after, Daniel and H.W. arrive under the guise of quail hunting, forging connections with the Sunday family, including preacher Eli Sunday.
As Daniel dives deeper into the oil business, he learns that the property is indeed promising. He envisions constructing a pipeline to circumvent railroad costs, cementing his place as a burgeoning titan in the industry. However, carnal greed and cunning business tactics push him into conflicts with both the landowners and the Sunday family.
Part 4/7:
The Clash of Ambitions
As Daniel establishes operations, the relationship between him and Eli becomes increasingly contentious. Despite Eli’s requests for a church blessing on the drilling site, Daniel brushes him aside, much to Eli’s indignation. Tensions escalate as incidents, such as a gas leak explosion resulting in H.W.'s newfound deafness, stoke the flames of discord.
The dynamic shifts when Henry Plainview, claiming to be Daniel’s half-brother, arrives, further complicating his personal life. While they initially bond over shared experiences, Daniel’s paranoia leads to tragedy when he discovers Henry’s true identity. Daniel's inability to form genuine connections reveals his deep-seated distrust and self-loathing.
The Relentless Drive for Power
Part 5/7:
The saga continues as Daniel’s ambitions clash with local interests. Despite forging ahead with the Union Oil pipeline plans, he discovers the last piece of land owned by William Bandy remains a hurdle. Bandy’s refusal to sell without conditions forces Daniel into a morally bankrupt situation—accepting baptism at the behest of Eli Sunday.
Daniel’s deteriorating relationship with his son H.W. reflects his growing isolation. H.W.’s departure to pursue his own drilling ambitions demonstrates the culmination of Daniel’s destructive single-mindedness. Their relationship, marked by a blend of love and resentment, reaches a painful climax as Daniel coldly tells H.W. he is nothing more than an orphan he picked up for appearance's sake.
A Downward Spiral
Part 6/7:
With wealth amassed from his oil empire, Daniel reaches unprecedented heights, yet this success breeds contempt and loneliness. Struggling with alcoholism and regret, he is confronted by Eli—now desperate and morally bankrupt due to financial ruin in the Wall Street Crash of 1929. Eli’s situation prompts a moment of twisted justice: Daniel's disdain boils over leading to a brutal confrontation that culminates in Eli's shocking demise.
The Tragic End of Daniel Plainview
Daniel's story is ultimately one of unrelenting ambition that devours every relation, leaving nothing behind but a fractured legacy. Alone, bitter, and reflecting on the ruins of his life and choices, he sinks into despair, embodying the brutal truths of capitalism and the human condition.
Part 7/7:
There Will Be Blood offers a harrowing exploration of ambition, greed, and the cost of success in a dog-eat-dog world, marked by a protagonist whose journey leads him to become his greatest foe. Through Daniel Plainview, the film captures the essence of a man who gains the world but loses his soul.