We’re still waiting for Roland Joffé to make good on his 1980s double whammy of “The Killing Fields” and “The Mission” and judging by the really awkward, hilariously narrated and overwrought trailer for his upcoming Spanish Civil War drama “There Be Dragons” (brutal title) that wait may continue.
The film, starring Charlie Cox, Wes Bentley, Olga Kurylenko, Derek Jacobi, Dougray Scott, Golshifteh Farahani, and Rodrigo Santoro tells the story of two brothers who choose different paths: one becomes as priest, and the other a spy for the fascists. To be fair, the film looks beautifully shot and the trailer might just a really poor representation of the finished product. At the very least we hope Joffé can bring something new to this very familiar sounding tale.
The independently financed film is slated for a spring 2011 release and Joffé and co. are talking to potential distributors now. The full synopsis and trailer are after the jump:
There Be Dragons is an epic action-adventure-romance set during the turmoil of the Spanish Civil War. The film is written and directed by Roland Joffe, acclaimed director of The Mission, and features a stellar cast of young actors –Carlie Cox (Stardust), Wes Bentley (American Beauty), Rodrigo Santoro (300), and Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace). The story traces the lives of two young men, Josemaria Escriva (Cox) and Manolo Torres, childhood friends who are separated by the political upheaval of pre-war Spain to find themselves on opposite sides as war erupts. Choosing peace, Josemaria becomes a priest and struggles to spread reconciliation by founding the movement “Opus Dei” (work of God.). Manolo chooses war and becomes a spy for the fascists. Manolo commits heinous acts that will torment him until the end of his life. Only on Manolo’s deathbed will Josemaria’s message of forgiveness finally have a profound impact on him and on his estranged son, who comes to learn the truth of his father’s dark past.
"There Be Dragons"
worst.title.ever.