Awards And Honors: Academy Award (Show more) There Will Be Blood, American period drama film released in 2007 that was written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and is loosely based on the first 150 pages of Upton Sinclair’s 1927 novel Oil! The film stars Daniel Day-Lewis as silver prospector-turned-oilman Daniel Plainview, who relentlessly pursues profit amid the late 19th- and early 20th-century southern California oil boom. It is widely regarded as one of the best films of the early 21st century. Cast In 1898 Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) discovers silver while prospecting in New Mexico. He breaks his leg while attempting to extract the silver and ...(100 of 1120 words) Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!