Daniel Plainview transforms from a struggling prospector into a self-made oilman in the early 20th century American West. After a silver discovery leads him to oil-rich land in California, Daniel adopts the orphaned son of a worker killed on the job, using the boy, H.W., to present a respectable, family-oriented image as he expands his operations. A young man named Paul Sunday informs Daniel of a promising site in Little Boston. Daniel moves quickly to acquire the land, sparking tensions with Paul’s twin brother, Eli, an ambitious preacher who demands long-term financial support for his church in return. As Daniel’s drilling begins, accidents and personal betrayals mount: H.W. is left deaf by a gas explosion, and Daniel’s refusal to honor his promise to Eli deepens their animosity. When a man claiming to be Daniel’s long-lost half-brother arrives, new layers of distrust and manipulation begin to surface, threatening the fragile bonds Daniel has built in pursuit of power and wealth.
There Will Be Blood is first and foremost a cinematic portrait of a bygone era of greed and glory. With striking vignettes and breathtaking use of darkness and color throughout, viewers will be spellbound, even if they struggle to follow the story. That may be the one big issue with this film: Those not ready for an intense historic drama based in a place and era not typically focused on in media will get lost in the lies and ambition quickly. Those looking for an impeccably-crafted narrative, filled with foils, deep themes of faith and aspiration, and characters you love to hate will be thrilled. This complicated tragedy takes so many twists and delivers shocks like a gut punch. A spiritual foil to the works of Ayn Rand, There Will Be Blood dramatizes the true depravity of the 1900s oil boom in California, boring holes into the ideal of the ‘great, self-made man’ just as a derrick drills for oil. This outstanding drama shows the last gasp of the Gilded Age before the onset of the Great Depression in this nail-biting tragedy. Highly Recommended.
What makes There Will Be Blood a landmark in American historical drama?
There Will Be Blood is a masterclass in character-driven storytelling and visual filmmaking. Paul Thomas Anderson’s direction, paired with Daniel Day-Lewis’s unforgettable performance as oilman Daniel Plainview, creates a haunting portrait of ambition, greed, and moral decay in early 20th-century America. The film’s meticulous attention to period detail, its brooding score by Jonny Greenwood, and its slow-burning narrative all contribute to its status as a landmark of American historical drama. Rather than glorifying the self-made industrialist archetype, the film dismantles it, showing the cost of progress and the hollow rewards of power. It’s a film that stays with viewers long after the credits roll—both for its artistry and its emotional weight.
Why should academic and public libraries add this historical drama to their collections?
Libraries that support film studies, American history, literature, or cultural analysis will find There Will Be Blood to be an indispensable resource. The film provides fertile ground for discussions on the American Dream, capitalism, religion, and moral corruption—all essential topics in both academic and public discourse. Its critical acclaim, historical relevance, and cinematic innovation make it a strong addition to collections focused on serious drama, American identity, or classic 21st-century filmmaking. For educators and cinephiles alike, this film offers layers of meaning that reward rewatching and analysis.
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