<P> In 1898, Daniel Plainview, a prospector in New Mexico, mines a potentially precious ore vein from a pit mine hole . In the process of dynamiting the lode, he falls from a broken rung of the tunnel ladder and breaks his leg . He saves a silver sample, climbs out of the mine, and drags himself to the nearest assay office to evaluate his find and receives a silver and gold certificate claim . In 1902, he discovers oil near Los Angeles, California and establishes a small drilling company . Following the death of a worker in an accident, Daniel adopts the man's orphaned son . The boy, named H.W., becomes his nominal "business partner", allowing Daniel to paint himself to potential investors as "a family man". </P> <P> In 1911, Daniel is approached by Paul Sunday, who tells him of an oil deposit under his family's property in Little Boston, California . Daniel attempts to buy the farm at a bargain price . However, Eli, Paul's twin brother and pastor of a local church, is aware of his plan . Eli demands $10,000 and states that it is for the church . An agreement is made and Daniel goes on to acquire all the available land in the area, except for one holdout: William Bandy . Oil production begins, but an on - site accident kills a worker and a gas blowout robs H.W. of his hearing . Eli blames the disasters on the well not being properly blessed . When Eli demands the $5,000 Daniel still owes his family, Daniel beats and humiliates him . At the dinner table, Eli berates his father for trusting Daniel . </P> <P> A man arrives at Daniel's doorstep, claiming to be his half - brother, Henry . Daniel hires Henry to work for him, and the two grow closer . H.W. sets fire to their house, intending for it to kill Henry . Angered by his son's behavior, Daniel sends him away to a school for the deaf in San Francisco, and leaves him on the train by himself . A representative from Standard Oil offers to buy out Daniel's local interests, but Daniel elects to strike a deal with Union Oil and construct a pipeline to the California coast, though the Bandy ranch remains an impediment . </P> <P> While reminiscing about his childhood, Daniel becomes suspicious of Henry and one night holds him at gunpoint . "Henry" confesses that he was a friend of the real Henry, who died from tuberculosis . In a fit of rage, Daniel murders the impostor and buries his body . The next morning, Daniel is awakened by Mr. Bandy, who knows of the previous night's events and wants Daniel to repent . At the church, as part of Daniel's baptism, Eli humiliates him and coerces him into acknowledging that he is a bad father . Some time later, as the pipeline is well under way, H.W. returns and reunites with Daniel, while Eli leaves town to perform missionary work . </P>

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