Movie Review: There Be Dragons (2011) – Faith, Forgiveness, and the Fires of the Past

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

There Be Dragons (2011) attempts to blend historical epic with spiritual reflection, and while it doesn’t always soar, its ambition is undeniable. Directed by Roland Joffé (The Mission, The Killing Fields), the film sets its sights high — tackling war, faith, betrayal, and redemption against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War.

At the heart of the story are two men: Josemaría Escrivá (played with quiet resolve by Charlie Cox), the founder of Opus Dei, and his estranged childhood friend Manolo (Wes Bentley), who chooses a much darker path. As a journalist decades later (Dougray Scott) investigates their pasts, the film weaves through memory, myth, and moral complexity.

Visually, There Be Dragons is striking — the Spanish landscapes are breathtaking, the wartime scenes are visceral, and the period detail is immersive. But the film’s strength lies in its earnestness: it’s a rare movie that dares to explore themes like sanctity, forgiveness, and the enduring scars of hatred with sincerity rather than cynicism.

That said, the storytelling can be uneven. The film occasionally feels torn between being a war epic and a spiritual biopic. The pacing sags in the middle, and some characters — particularly the female roles — are underdeveloped. Still, Cox’s performance brings a quiet depth, and Bentley is compelling as a man consumed by bitterness.

There Be Dragons isn’t for everyone — it’s a slow burn, steeped in religious philosophy and historical detail — but for those interested in stories of personal transformation and moral reckoning, it offers moments of genuine emotional power.