A Personal Dragon Was Slain in the Filming of There Be Dragons

We all battle our own personal dragons - some large some small. For one of the actors in an epic film based on the life of St. Josemaria Escriva, his real-life dragons were winning. In the accompanying video, Wes Bentley tell of his victory in his own words.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - The Latin phrase for "Here Be Dragons" was used on early maps to indicate areas of unexplored territories where no one had yet to travel. No one knew what obstacles, opposition or evil might befall people traveling in those areas.

It was from this idea that the film based on the life of Josemaria Escriva was named. While the film portrayed the way several people dealt with the dragons in their lives, a real-life dragon was attacking one of the stars.

Wes Bentley has been considered one of the up and coming actors in Hollywood. Born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, his parents are both Methodist ministers. His interest in acting came from involvement in improve comedy.

After high school he attended the Julliard School in New York City but left to pursue his career in acting.

Bentley has starred in several films, including the Oscar-winning film "American Beauty," "The Four Feathers" with Heath Ledger, and "Ghost Rider." He starred in the thriller "Dolan's Cadillac," based on the short story by Stephen King,

His most recent role was Manolo Torres in "There Be Dragons" by director Roland Joffé. In the film, Manolo was a childhood friend of the future priest, founder of Opus Dei and saint, Josemaria Escriva. They became separated through the political upheaval of pre-civil war Spain. When the war erupts, they find themselves on opposite sides.

It was during this film that he faced his own dragons - his abuse of alcohol and drugs which began soon after his incredible success in the movie "American Beauty."

The accompanying video tells the story of his victory. Truly, the devotion and love for God that was so deeply rooted in St. Josemaria Escriva remained present on the set of this film.

"There Be Dragons" opens in theaters across the country on May 6, 2011. For all Christians, Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants alike, this is a must-see movie! For information and ministry resources, please visit www.dragonsresources.com.

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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online and the CEO/Associate Publisher for the Northern Virginia Local Edition of Catholic Online (http://virginia.catholic.org). He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

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