The film follows the rise to power of Daniel Plainview - a charismatic and ruthless oil prospector, driven to succeed by his intense hatred of others and desperate need to see any and all competitors fail. When he learns of oil-rich land in California that can be bought cheaply, he moves his operation there and begins manipulating and exploiting the local landowners into selling him their property. Using his young adopted son H.W. to project the image of a caring family man, Plainview gains the cooperation of almost all the locals with lofty promises to build schools and cultivate the land to make their community flourish. Over time, Plainview's gradual accumulation of wealth and power causes his true self to surface, and he begins to slowly alienate himself from everyone in his life.
Written by Denny Gibbons
The infamous "I drink your milkshake!" is, in part, a real quote. Paul Thomas Anderson found the metaphor in congressional transcripts from the 1920's Teapot Dome scandal, in which New Mexico Republican Senator Albert Fall was convicted of accepting bribes for oil drilling rights to various lands. According to Anderson, "I think it was Albert Fall, who was asked to describe drainage before Congress. And his way of describing it was, 'If you have a milkshake and I have a milkshake, and my straw reaches across the room ...' I'm sure I embellished it and changed it around and made it more Plainview. But Fall used the word milkshake, and I thought it was so great. It was mad to see that word among all this official testimony and terminology - a fucking milkshake. I get so happy every time I hear that word."
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Goofs
Continuity:
When Eli enters Daniel's office to ask about the blessing, as he starts to sit down his hands are starting to tent together, but when the camera changes his hands are at his side and when only after he sits down does he tent his fingers.
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Quotes
Plainview:
What's this? Why don't I own this? Why don't I own this? Al Rose:
That's the Bandy tract. He was the holdout, when we were doing the buying? He had hoped to speak with you... Can't you just build the pipeline around this tract? Plainview:
Can I build around fifty miles of Tehachapi mountains? Don't be thick in front of me, Al. Al Rose:
I can go to him again... Plainview:
No, I'll go and talk to the man. I'll talk to him, show you how it's done. See more »
"Fratres for Cello and Piano"
Composed by Arvo Pärt Performed by I Fiamminghi, The Orchestra of Flanders Conducted by Rudolf Werthen Courtesy of Telarc International Corporation
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