There Will Be Blood and History
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- čas přidán 27. 12. 2023
- I was surprised with all the historical references in There Will Be Blood. So I wanted to explain how rich this film is in historical detail. Knowing about the Teapot Dome scandal, CC Julian, 3rd Great Awakening, and Weber allows you to better analyze it. Connecting it to contemporary events of its release in 2007, such as global warming and Iraq, shows the deeper meaning of the film. This is a form of critique called “new historicism," which shows how how that interpretation is rooted in the zeitgeist. It's a really interesting film
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Bibliography
Laton McCartney, The Teapot Dome Scandal: How Big Oil Bought the Harding White House and Tried to Steal the Country (New York: Random House, 2008). amzn.to/47DGBMw
Gordon Owen, The Two Alberts: Fountain and Fall (Las Cruces, N.Mex.: Yucca Tree Press, 1996). amzn.to/45vi5ez
Paul Sabin, Crude Politics: The California Oil Market, 1900-1940 (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2005). amzn.to/2W16gtt
Jules Tygiel, The Great Los Angeles Swindle: Oil, Stocks, and Scandal During the Roaring Twenties (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1996). amzn.to/2ASH7Z0
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Wiki: There Will Be Blood is a 2007 American period drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, loosely based on the 1927 novel Oil! by Upton Sinclair.[4] It stars Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview, a silver miner turned oilman on a ruthless quest for wealth during Southern California's oil boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries
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Hashtags: #history #therewillbeblood #teapotdome #review #BasedOnATrueStory
One of my favorite films. You did a great job adding context to it. Btw I'm making a video about the Teapot Dome Scandal!
But the real question: Did he drink his Milkshake?
I drink it up
What flavor was it btw
Hoped someone brought this up as soon as I saw the title. I am not disappointed.
He drank it up
DRAINAGE
One of the things about Paul Thomas Anderson's films is that he usually chooses a number of complex subjects to serve as a basis for exploring human nature in terms of character and relationships. While there is so much to make out of the context of There Will Be Blood, still one of my favorite films and top-ranking masterpiece of Anderson's filmography so far, it happens to be just as much a film about oil and faith along the same lines as his prior film Boogie Nights was about the adult entertainment industry of the 1970's and 80's, and his later The Master was about scientology. While each film's subject provides a very rich canvas, highly detailed and mostly accurate and realistic (or surreal) in depiction, the subject usually takes a backseat to the characters, their individual characteristics, their relationships to the other characters and how they respond to characters and certain scenarios from which they are irrevocably bound.
A lot of it has to do with the fact that Anderson is following in the path of his hero, the late Robert Altman, who established this particular storytelling and filmmaking structure in the 1970's with classics like M*A*S*H and Nashville. In fact, Anderson was actually 1st assistant director for the elderly Altman's A Prairie Home Companion and offered to take over as director proper should Altman's ailing health intrude during production. There Will Be Blood is in fact dedicated to Altman, who passed away prior to the film's release.
In terms of the plot and its message, it's not really just about oil or religion, or even about the capitalist practices - it's more about the ambitions and relationship of its primary competing characters Daniel Plainview and Eli. As Plainview is misanthropic, he's all the more ambitious in seeing oil just as a way to accumulate enough wealth so that he can live on his own terms away from people, who he has very little reason to like (it's worth noting that a number of the supporting characters, with the possible exception of his adopted son and imposter brother, don't seem to make much of an impression on either him or the audience, and when your misanthropic character is played by Daniel Day-Lewis, it's not hard to see why). Only Eli seems to appeal to him because the degree of and commitment to his own ambitions as a preacher seem to match that of Plainview and are founded on the same greed, which Plainview seems to show respect and admiration for, much less so when his adopted son and young business partner H.W. becomes permanently deaf from the practice and Eli's apparent fraud becomes even more evident, their contest for success more openly becoming a battle of wills that reaches an intense, apocalyptic climax at the end with Eli's admittance of his failure and fraudulence, and Plainview's reasserting his dominance as the true champion of the fight with murderous results. While much of that ambition and heated conflict can be found in the fossil fuel industry and fundamentalist religion, it's not confined to those fields - it's evident in human nature as a whole.
He is one of my favorite directors. I almost can’t decide a favorite film because they’re all so amazing in their own right. Each one has stuck with me.
There was also extensive gas and oil drilling in Southwest Michigan during that time period. Few traces of that remain today. One of the most interesting is the intersection of M-51 and Red Arrow Highway a few miles west of Paw Paw which bears the name Tea Pot Dome. A nearby restaurant called Tea Pot opened in 1925 and is still in business. Another restaurant called Tea Pot East opened on the same highway a couple of miles east of Paw Paw. Both are quite popular with locals for their reasonably priced meals. By the way, Red Arrow Highway is the former US 12 which was replaced by I-94 in the 1960's. It is roughly based on Michigan's oldest highway, the Territorial Road connecting Detroit and Chicago. According to a historical marker in Paw Paw there was so much traffic on this highway in the 1830's and '40's that travelers often could not find lodging along the way and had to sleep outdoors.
Not to be confused with Teapot Dome, Wyoming of course.
Thank a RepubliCON
I only just watched this classic a few months ago. What a truly captivating and powerful performance by Daniel Day Lewis- spectacular. A great example of the never ending insatiable greed of man.
Well said, I love Daniel Day-Lewis but man I surely hate Plainview and somewhat kinda wish he gotten some sort of comeuppance.
Wow! I never made the connections. Incredible lecture, as always! ❤
Dude I was just rewatching some of your videos and this popped up. One of my favorite films. Thanks.
Another exciting video, happy New Year in advance Cypher.
Just followed you on Twitch which I never use but I'll try and watch the VOD's you have on your channel. Looks like great stuff!
As soon as I saw there Will be blood I clicked
Cypher I just want to say that I’m very appreciative of your channel. Even though my historical interests lay more with the Roman republic, late antiquity, and the French high Middle Ages I’m very pleased at how you’ve explained what makes a good historian and how to conduct research. This is definitely one of the best channels in YT and I hope you have success in your field.
This was fantastic. Great video. I’m also from SLO by the way!
The Coyote Hills near La Habra were also mentioned and I believe the film's opening scene takes place in what's supposed to be Signal Hill.
I haven't noticed anything to indicate that. How do you know?
@@CynicalHistorian It's been awhile since I've seen the movie, but I believe it's mentioned in there at one point. I know that in that opening scene Plainview says that he had a well coming in in the Coyote Hills and he had to "see about it."
Love ya man, you're always great.
Great topic. I am so curious about any connections that can be drawn between the protestant work ethic, which American rural Pentecostalism really embraced, and domestic violence.
When I type it out like that it seems like an obvious connection.
Great analysis of one of my favorite films! The manbearpig episode is what turned me off from being a south park diehard fan. Their "the truth is always in the middle" shtick was quite poisonous for a lot of serious issues.
This is the best analysis of this movie on CZcams
Great videos btw.
Interesting new conceptual ideas. Maybe I should have continued my education after all.
Thanks for this video. Never saw the movie, probably never will, but I loved learning about the history! Also: HI KITTY!!!!
Good analysis...Love this film.
11:52 where can i find vods for these?
4:46 Bob La Follette was the Bernie Sanders of the 20’s and I appreciate his service greatly
Edit SO MANY OIL PUNS!!!!
Great video!
What you said about presentism, and how it's not necessarily a bad thing in a historical movie, reminded me about one of mine favorite historical movies, which hardly anyone heard about. It's the Polish movie _Szwadron_ (Squadron) released in 1993. It's about the January Uprising of 1863-1864 against the Russian Empire, told from the perspective of a young Russian officer becoming disillusioned. I recently rewatched it and it seemed to me way more relevant to the present, than it was when I frist watched it. Unfortunately.
Edit: Sorry for going so far off topic.
I decided to one day do a Daniel Day Lewis Marathon from first to final movie. There will be blood completely surprised me at how good it really was his acting was so well done. Makes me wonder if Clint Eastwood directed a movie staring himself and Daniel Day Lewis how awesome it would be.
I want to see a buddy cop action movie staring Clint Eastwood and his son Scott as father and son police partners. It could be a finale to the Dirty Harry series with Harry coming out of retirement to help his son solve a case.
I bet Paul Dano was genuinely afraid because as we all know Daniel Day-Lewis is a method actor.
Thought you were going to mention the growth of prosperity gospel within the modern Christian church when you talked about Max Weber.
always anticipated 🎉
OMG I LOVE James Burke! I've watched his Connections series again and again and again. They're so good!
Yeah. For some reason, Connections isn't viewed as the historian equivalent of Cosmos. The only explanation to me is the Opti ignorance of history
I like the word "portentous" also. Thank you for using it.
As long as it doesn't get confused for pretentious, lol
I've used that milkshake metaphor numerous times and never knew where it came from. Now I remember.
You all have a good new year !
I read oil back in 2022 and suffice to say it’s right up there with the jungle
Man-Bear-Pig drank the milkshake.
I read the title and briefly panicked as it seemed like you were announcing a spree of violence yourself
Love the James Burke shoutout!
One of the best movies from one of the best years for film
some of it filmed here in Marfa. brother was an extra in scene cut out. actors families liked his rock shop. several other ol west movies filmed here. giant,gud ol boys, dead men walk, . once knew a kid who was penticostal.or maybe last name. in grade school on visit to old homestead, he/family ignored me so walked cross town home.1st grade?
absolute banger!
Answer : no.
Can you do this for Boardwalk Empire?
Sadly, I think Propaganda films can often have the opposite effect that their messages convey. The whole point is to convince someone who needs convincing but I personally think they cause people to double down instead. It's like challenging someone's convictions, it's hard to do. I often use a graph that shows global temperatures during the later years of WWII which saw a noticeable increase, and then the sharp decline in those temperatures after the war ended. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand why. And being it was so far back in history that you can not call it "Manipulated" or "Propaganda" I think it's a great piece of evidence to show mankind's effect on global temperatures.
Very informative and
Will there be a "Based on a true story" review of "There will be blood?"
One of my favorites, love ❤️ Daniel Day Lewis
He did do a lot of good acting roles such as Lincoln.
@@itsblitz4437don’t forget gangs of New York
@@itsblitz4437 He's one of the best, I've loved his work since "Last of the Mochians"
I saw this movie way back in 07, when I was 20... I know I enjoyed it, and talked about it for a little bit, but the time I saw it in theaters, was the last time I think I watched this movie. Apart from that, I don't remember exactly what my priorities 17 years ago were, so no idea why I never saw it again.
I remember finding it boring back in '08, but seeing it in '23, showed I was being immature
Yeah, I think this movie needs another watch, I have had what feels like a lifetime to mature. Maybe I will see it in a different light, now that life has had time to happen.
There are so many movies that require maturity to watch. Hell, think of all the times you've heard friends they can't watch something because "it's too old." - classic example of immaturity, of not some form of ignorance wise than that. If someone refuses to watch a B&W film because it's primitive, they're too stupid to be required with
I'd like to read his dissertation.
Youre from San Jouquin County?! We grew up in the same neighborhood basically lol Stockton has a way of sticking on people like that
I was born in San Luis Obispo, but mostly grew up in Henderson, NV
in answer to the final question.
no.
capitalism is based on individual greed.
inevitably, there will be someone who wants what another has.
and under capitalism, no holds are barred (a wrestling simile).
indeed, cheating (using holds that are possibly deadly) is encouraged.
I disagree the answer is yes
Technically, capitalism in its purest laissez faire form treats selfish materialism as a positive that allows the market to self regulate. In practice, a regulatory regime is needed to keep bad and reckless actors in check. Ironically, the optimal strategy for long term growth and success would be a collaboration, not a competition. The laws regulating anticompetitive behavior are supposed to keep any single entity from becoming too powerful. Lately, enforcement has been lacking and it will only get worse.
@@LawlessChemistry I have only one quibble.
and that is the word "technically".
@@highcouncil1302 you disagree the answer is yes?
or
you disagree, the answer is yes?
either way...
no.
is still my answer.
@@kidmohair8151 capitalism allows for better community in my mind
Watching this made me glad that I'm unintelligent enough to enjoy a movie at face value, without delving into the director's deeper meaning 🤔
There Will Be Blood was one hell of a strange 🤔 ride of a movie with a lot of dark elements.
Is saying DDL is a GOAT acceptable? Either way, I want to experience his process. He turned down Hanks role in Philadelphia, then lost an Oscar to Hanks in that role. He turns down epic roles regularly, simply because he respects the craft so much.
Great movie, Oil! I think was still more humorous and enlightening
Let us not forget "There Will Be Brawl" the smash bros fan film.
Awesome
"An Inconvenient Truth" was a film by Larry David's wife about talks that Al Gore was giving about a real and growing issue. It wasn't really "Al Gore's movie"-
The best movie of the 21st century so far!!
I love this movie and it's certainly in my top 10 since 2000. Also loved Downfall, Snatch, No Country for Old Men, City of God, Fury Road, LOTR Trilogy, and most of QT's movies.
You forgot about manbearpig.
Nevermind.
Will Durant on the bookshelf...
It's so sad seeing this character because sign language can be a little easier to pick up than one might think. Working in factories with more than two or three languages being spoken taught me whole languages of impromptu signs lol
another great episode but can we gat a special cat episeode? she seems cute :)
He's a he. Afterall, he's King Richard I, reincarnated (though I've removed his ability to procreate, much like previous Richard did to himself). He gets exactly as much coverage as he wants, since he chooses to interrupt
I'm kind of disappointed that Red Dead Redemption only included a cameo of Plainview, he would have been an awesome side character.
We have since legalized this behavior
Dang, now I kind of wanna know what you think about the series M*A*S*H...
It's the only sitcom that genuinely like, though All In the Family and That 70s are fun sometimes
I'm a wheelchair-bound Guatemalan American that can pass for white and I'm genuinely scared of a resurgence of eugenics with the gene editing capabilities which we have today. I know that people don't consider my life to worthy of living.
I'm also very concerned about the popularity of eugenics within the youth, especially the various "pills", since it trickle down from in-els to popular culture. The black pill especifically is just scientific racism repackaged with modern internet lingo.
I think you meant this comment for my previous video on racialization
@@CynicalHistorian Don't know if you're going to read this or not but if you do, then could you please do some videos about the following topics:
1. More on the 3rd Great Awakening and the history of Pentecostalism.
2. The 4th Great Awakening.
3. A review of the movie Glory.
4. Reviews of the movie Gettysburg and it's prequel Gods & Generals.
5. The history of the Boxer Rebellion.
6. A video of you showing us the titles of all the books in your collection.
7. A review of the historic allegories in all 3 Star Wars movie trilogies.
8. A review of the 😊historic allegories in Tolkien's Middle Earth books and movies.
9. A video about how Hollywood stars, directors, writers, etc. served in World War II.
10. A review of the movie Trumbo.
I once woke my brother in a similar fashion to Mr. Plainview accusing him of being an imposter. He guessed the right color of our barn and then flew into an Instant Rage and was not happy at all. What else are brothers for?
Great analysis, I personally found myself not enjoying the movie. There is some fault in its deliberate pacing, which demands patience from the audience. While Daniel Day-Lewis delivers an exceptional performance as Daniel Plainview, the film's character complexity leaves some viewers like me craving more insight into the protagonist's psyche. Nevertheless, the film's exploration of greed and morality, coupled with its stunning cinematography, makes it a compelling and thought-provoking experience overall.
HA!!!! Clamper shirt! I love it.
You should watch a CZcams channel called forgotten history. Love to get your take on his videos
It's despicable
Yaaaa, OK.....you right
There will be fur balls!
19112-1921 1:46
Great breakdown. The parallels to capitalism and environmentalism is very evident, but the discussion on how Calvinism begot Capitalism is even greater. I'm not sure that that was explicitly the desired intent of the story by showing the corruption of the preacher, but it is clearly something that comes through in the narrative almost innately. Calvinism is still ever present in the televangelists who preach prosperity gospels; that God blessed those that gain wealth and the more the greater His love, then asks for sizably disproportionate donations to prove their devotion so He bestows it back 10 fold upon them.
"I will teach you how to spill oil, with my knife!"
When the first 10 guys joined together for mutual benefit, at least one of them was that guy.
"South Park is that shitty relative that you have good memories of".
Wow, that hit home... But accurately sums up what I feel about South Park.
King Richard has black and pink toe beans
He does indeed. One is even both!
Just wow.
no i think that was just blood, no history
GOOD MOVIE
only thing i have to disagree with is the south park comments cause south park just never gets old
This is exactly why I think there’s a good case to be made that Harding was our third worst president.
(MAN IN THE MIRROR NODS HIS HEAD)
2:37 💀
❤❤❤
Allegory... Al Gore...? Is there a new conspiracy theory here?
Mr kitty cat needs more air time😊
He decides how much he interrupts. I have no choice in the matter
How come nobody has a mint condition copy of the Durant books? My girlfriend has a set, and they are just as beat up as Cypher's.
Don't think I've ever seen a new condition set. Mine were given to me by my parents, who got them used before I was born
My girlfriend's dad got his, that he handed down to her, in the 70's. It's like those books have seen as much history as what's in 'em.
To answer your final question: hell naw.
Regarding the environmentalist point. Even though it cam be interpreted it that way it really isnt the film's intention which in truth is obviously a more literal interpretation which you clarified prior. They ARE purely allegorical and I personally like to keep it that way and remain within strictly within the film's intentional meaning. However your comments about Pentecostalism relative to the film were gold since I knew nothing about that stuff. Also this "new historism" you mentioned at the end sounds almost heretical. I'm ok with people using the current events of a time to further garher more interpretation from a movie/series/piece of art etc. But there is always a vision that the artists and writers set forth for you to see and it should be appreciated as it's intentional objective meaning. It's King. Anthing else like your environmentalism point and the iraq war is just extra.
And yet lots of people seem to make sport of completely missing the basic meanings imbued by the artist. It can't be helped, so artists shouldn't be too hung up on it. Movies particularly are a collaborative effort. Messaging can be altered without direct intent or anyone's notice.
@@LawlessChemistry even if they missed the point it doesn't mean the point isn't there or that other points that you've thought up are superior. While a movie is a collaborative effort, the original vision is birthed from the writer and given form via the director who hires actors instructs how things go etc etc.
👍
Ugh...global warming.....
In my opinion the idea of the Protestant Work Ethic has been used as a way to blame the poor for not succeeding materially.
I didn’t really see any homoeroticism in this movie. I feel that’s something you’d have to go actively looking for.
From a historian to another: yes, I love your video-essays. But that is not the point. You ask yourself: is there a connection between the ways of the american people in the late 18tth c. and the mass shootings of today? But then, you also say that ruthlessness was the only to survive in that jungle (as a reference to the predatory practices of most of the oil tycoons of the era)... yet... aren't those tycoons the "pillars of society", as Ibsen put it? They were the pillars of that society (i.e. the one of the late 18th c.), but they are also pillars of this society, the one we have today - they serve as role models. They are " success" stories etc And you are taught from your very young age that murderers and con-men and thieves are ... role models.... what do you think might be the consequences. in terms of society (axiological terms to be more precise)? But let's take it a step further: aren't those guys the ancestors (therefore, father-figures, educators, role-models etc) of the political elite the US (and the rest of the world, for that matter, for this madness is not exclusively american - quite the contrary. the american way has made it ... glamorous, that is all. The European ways simply acknowledged people like Rockefeller or Ford or their European counterparts - but did not preach their stories as "success stories". Why? because they were common people. It would take time to make counts & thieves out of just thieves, common and simple thieves).? Aren't people like that the very essence and origin of most of the power and wealth of the US political class (to which one should add the sons and daughters of slavers who are now in the US congress).? Conclusion - what kind of society one might get when their pillars are blatant stories of murders and corruption and thievery and childish predatory practices, undisguised by e.g. the European or the Asiatic facade of hypocrisy that covers-up such acts? Does this have something to do with school shootings? What is to be expected from a world where you are taught that a true american does the american thing, that taking your own fate in your own hands, together with a gun, for God has indeed created man but Colt has made him equal, isn't it?
Gore before Moore!
Not chronologically
Just poorly paraphrasing Emperor Tigerstar @14:02
2:43 just so you know… this is the same as the current uk government
This movie is so boring, yet gripping, a bit like Silence, a slow burn or whatever the term is for that. Suppose its to make you feel what the characters feel.
Comment
142nd
Back when things were better 😂. Pass a hotdog. Neoliberalism, NOT, capitalism of Adam Smith. You did remind of the religious element of this, poor catholic socialists vs the Protestants, or Calvin. Even to this day. Do we go back to feudalism? I’m always interested in this trading equally, my pile of stones for your gold. Not by the ton, that’s not fair .