Movie Reviews
A matter of divine grace–and man’s will by Nestor Torre, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Aside from Joffe’s insightful and committed storytelling, the film benefits from Charlie Cox’s felt and textured portrayal of the young-adult Josemaria Escriva …
When there be no more dragons by Mimi Olarga, SunStar Bacolod
A smile was etched on every movie–goers face. A reaction which is indicative of a good respite after a hard day’s work – watching a good and a great movie …
Dragons everywhere by Adelle Chua, Manila Standard Today
While this claim could attract many devout Catholics to the theaters, it could also tune out, and at the onset, those who fancy themselves free thinkers …
‘There Be Dragons’ Movie Review by Hernani Pizarro Geronimo, The Manila Times
It is a film that will leave the viewer to seek answers, not just on faith and the divine, but on relationships and how forgiveness that’s given and received is as liberating as the truth …
Taming Dragons by Angela Dawson, BusinessWorld
There Be Dragons came along at the right time in Bentley’s life … “I was very distant from myself spiritually, forget religiously,” he adds. “It was fate to be on a film that was dealing a lot with spirituality.”
‘Dragons’ movie touches fatherhood, faith, CBCPforLife.com
There Be Dragons is not a “religious movie” or one that has been appreciated only by believers …
Martyrdom is Cinematic by Ma. Ceres P. Doyo, Philippine Daily Inquirer
It is a story within a story, spun out of a journalist-biographer’s desire to know the truth about Escriva who was a friend of his dying father’s. The flashbacks begin. Deadly secrets explode like bombs. An even more stunning surprise waits in the end …
The Redeeming Value of Forgiveness by Dr. Bernardo Villegas, The Manila Bulletin
“There Be Dragons” — that will be showing in Philippine theaters during the month of November — offers a very timely message in today’s world still torn with numerous civil strifes especially in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa …
St. Josemaria Escriva inspired agnostic to film ‘There Be Dragons’ by Hernani Pizarro Geronimo, Manila Standard Today
“There be Dragons” may have its cinematic shortcomings but its ultimate point is not alone to tell of the saintly virtues of Josemaria Escriva, but more importantly what he imparts to the world: that it is in slaying our personal and fiercest, biggest dragons – of pride and of prejudice – that makes us healed and whole …
Evil dragons still live within our midst by Bobit Avila, The Philippine Star
“There be Dragons” … inserts the universal values of love, heroism and most important of all, forgiveness in a most turbulent setting of the Spanish Civil War …
Broken Record by Dean Andy Bautista, The Philippine Star
Without meaning to give away the film’s denouement, the disparate storylines cohere around the theme of forgiveness and how withholding it from anyone is what holds us back from true freedom and liberation.
Purely Personal by Josephine Darang, Philippine Daily Inquirer
I sniffling because we were crying while watching the film, “There be Dragons,” at the SM Mall of Asia Premiere cinema.
Dragons by Atty. Jose Sison, The Philippine Star
We are very fortunate because we are again treated to another superb movie with the same forceful and enthralling message of “love and forgiveness” like the message in “The Passion of the Christ”.
Hints and Traces by Fr. Roy Cimagala, The Philippine Star
‘There be dragons’ ably reflects the drama of our life, of our history …
Encountering Dragons by Dr. Bernardo Villegas, Manila Bulletin
The film is a historical epic full of action, adventure, passion, and love set in the turbulent period of one of the most cruel civil strifes in modern history the Spanish Civil War of 1936 to 1939.
Dragons.ph in the News
How to slay your dragon | Philippine Daily Inquirer
The new interactive (website) www.dragons.ph is an attempt to give a venue for slaying them. It can be a very good teaching resource for subjects that have to do with value formation or civics.Slaying the dragons | Manila Bulletin
There is a Slayerspeak portion which is an invitation to share on dragonslaying tips, or nuggets of wisdom to help others discover and overcome dragons in their livesWebsite after movie inspired by Saint Josemaria | Catholic News Philippines
The new interactive (website) is an attempt to “help others discover and overcome the dragons in their lives” by spreading the message of the film.
Featured Review
A matter of divine grace--and man's will
by Nestor U. Torre
Joffe’s contrasting focus on two “intersecting” protagonists instead of only one is occasionally illuminating, but it’s sometimes a distraction, because Manolo’s tumultuous life is more arresting then Josemaria’s more benign and selfless existence. Thus, Manolo’s story ultimately upstages the future saint’s experiences, and this compromises the film’s empathetic and inspirational effect on viewers. —Whose film is this, anyway?
Having said that, we should stress that “There Be Dragons” succeeds in dramatizing the roots and wellsprings of St. Josemaria’s key mission to make faith not just relevant but essential to modern life. Sanctity is not an abstract and abstracted goal, but the achievable reward for a life lived fully in service, from day to day, to God and man. Thus, Opus Dei’s inspiring commitment to work and prayer—to work as prayer— is dramatically vivified.
Aside from Joffe’s insightful and committed storytelling, the film benefits from Charlie Cox’s felt and textured portrayal of the young-adult Josemaria Escriva. It’s an instructive combination of spirituality and strong physicality, and makes sanctity even more relevant to and “achievable” for Christians today.