Eragon (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eragon |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Stefen Fangmeier |
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| Screenplay by | Peter Buchman |
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| Music by | Patrick Doyle |
| Cinematography | Hugh Johnson |
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| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
| Release date(s) | December 15, 2006 |
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| Language | English |
| Budget | $100 million |
| Money made | $250.4 million |
Eragon (stylized in all lowercase) is a 2006 action-fantasy film directed by Stefen Fangmeier (in his directorial debut) and written by Peter Buchman, based on Christopher Paolini’s 2002 novel of the same name. The film stars Ed Speleers in the title role as well as Jeremy Irons, Sienna Guillory, Robert Carlyle, Djimon Hounsou, Garrett Hedlund, Joss Stone and John Malkovich, with Rachel Weisz as the voice of Saphira the dragon.
Principal photography took place at the Mafilm Fót Studios in Hungary, starting on August 1, 2005. Visual effects and animation were by Weta Digital and Industrial Light & Magic. Eragon was released worldwide between December 13, 2006 and December 15, 2006 by 20th Century Fox. The film received widespread negative reviews from critics and book fans, who criticized its acting, screenplay, visuals and unfaithfulness to the source material, though its CGI and the performances of Speleers and Irons were praised by a few critics. It was the 10th worst reviewed film of 2006 on Rotten Tomatoes, but the 31st highest-grossing film of 2006 in the US. The film was released for home entertainment on March 20, 2007. It is notable for being the last film to be released on VHS in the United States. Originally, Eragon was supposed to be the first in a franchise based on Paolini's Inheritance Cycle book series with Fangmeirer shooting both Eldest and Brisingr back-to-back. However, following the poor reception of Eragon on its release, the planned franchise was cancelled.
Contents
Plot
Arya, elf princess of Ellesméra, flees with a strange stone, pursued by Durza, a dark sorcerer under king Galbatorix. When Durza corners Arya, she uses magic to teleport the stone away.
Eragon, a farm boy living in the country of Alagaësia with his uncle Garrow and cousin Roran, is hunting for deer when he witnesses the stone appearing. Hoping to trade it for food, Eragon brings the stone home but realises it is actually an egg when a blue dragon hatches from it. As he touches the dragon, a magical mark appears on his palm. Several people are shown reacting to this incident, including Arya, Brom, and Galbatorix himself.
Eragon shelters and feeds the dragon and teaches her to fly as she gradually grows to full size. She speaks to him through their thoughts and calls herself Saphira. When they are out, Durza's monstrous minions, the Ra'zac, arrive at the village to look for the dragon and the rider, killing Eragon's uncle in the process. Blaming Saphira for his uncle's death, Eragon sends her away. Brom shows up, takes Eragon away from the village, warns him of Saphira's importance, and urges him to call her back. Eragon calls Saphira with his thoughts, and she comes back, forgiving him for what he previously said.
Brom is leading the group to the Varden, rebel freedom fighters opposing Galbatorix. On the way, Brom fills Eragon in on the knowledge of dragon riders, Galbatorix, Durza, and the Ra'zac. He also trains Eragon's sword-fighting. In a small village, Eragon meets a fortune-teller named Angela who tells him of a girl awaiting his help and of his dangerous path ahead. When Brom and Eragon are attacked by Galbatorix's servants, the Urgals, Eragon attempts to mimic Brom and wipes out the whole group with a magic attack of blue fire, then Eragon falls unconscious from the strain. Saphira saves him. Brom teaches Eragon to control his magic and bond his powers with Saphira. After flying for the first time, Eragon and Saphira help Brom kill the Ra'zac, and Brom reveals he was once a rider, his dragon killed by Morzan, a rogue rider allied with Galbatorix.
Durza sets a trap for Eragon, using Arya as bait. Hearing her telepathic calls, Eragon finds her, but is ambushed by Durza. Eragon is outmatched, and Brom arrives to help him, getting mortally wounded in the process. Eragon vengefully shoots an arrow into Durza's head, causing him to disappear. The trio escapes, and Brom dies of his wounds while flying on Saphira. Eragon takes possession of Brom's sword, Zar'roc, which previously belonged to Morzan.
Eragon confronts a hooded figure that has been following them. He reveals himself to be Murtagh and guides them to the Varden. Murtagh is imprisoned by the Varden for being Morzan's son. Soon after, Durza and his men surround the rebel camp. Eragon, Saphira, Arya, and the Varden prepare for battle. Arya and the Varden fight Galbatorix's forces. Murtagh frees himself during the battle and assists the Varden, saving the Dwarf king King Hrothgar and proving his trustworthiness. Eragon and Saphira duel in the skies with Durza who rides his own beast. Eragon and Saphira kill Durza, but Saphira is heavily injured. Eragon uses magic to heal her and once again passes out from the strain.
The following morning, Eragon awakes with Murtagh at his side. He fears Saphira may be dead but finds her fully healed. They catch up with Arya, who is on her way to Ellesméra to lead the elves in the coming war against Galbatorix. She calls Eragon "The great Shadeslayer" and they part ways promising they'll meet again. Meanwhile, in his castle, a furious Galbatorix slashes at his hanging map of Alagaësia, revealing his immense pitch black dragon, Shruikan.
Cast
- Ed Speleers as Eragon
- Jeremy Irons as Brom
- Sienna Guillory as Arya
- Robert Carlyle as Durza
- Rachel Weisz as the voice of Saphira
- John Malkovich as Galbatorix
- Garrett Hedlund as Murtagh
- Alun Armstrong as Garrow
- Chris Egan as Roran
- Gary Lewis as Hrothgar
- Djimon Hounsou as Ajihad
- Richard Rifkin as Horst
- Steve Speirs as Sloan
- Joss Stone as Angela
- Caroline Chikezie as Nasuada
- Nick Paskhin as villager one
Images for kids
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Leather and metal battle armor crafted by Whitaker Malem for Ed Speleers, who was cast in the lead role as Eragon.
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Aerial photograph of the Ság Mountain, which served as the backdrop for Farthen Dûr
See also
In Spanish: Eragon (película) para niños
