-- Synopsis; more about Eragon --

“The sands of time cannot be stopped. Years pass whether we will them or not… but we can remember. What has been lost may yet live on in memories. That which you will hear is imperfect and fragmented, yet treasure it, for without you it does not exist. I give you now a memory that has been forgotten, hidden in the dreamy haze that lies behind us…” – Brom the Storyteller

Before your grandfathers’ fathers were born, and even before their fathers, the Dragon Riders were formed. To protect and guard was their mission, and for thousands of years they succeeded. Their prowess in battle was unmatched, for each had the strength of ten men. They were immortal unless blade or poison took them. For good only were their powers used, and under their tutelage tall cities and towers were built out of the living stone. Wealth flowed into the cities of Alagaesia, and men prospered.

Though no enemy could destroy them, they could not guard against themselves. And it came to pass at the height of their power that a boy, Galbatorix, was born. At ten he was tested and it was found that a great power resided in him. The Riders accepted him as their own, and he exceeded all others in skill. Gifted with a sharp mind and strong body, he quickly rose among the Riders’ ranks.

The Riders grew arrogant in their power and ignored caution. During a reckless trip Galbatorix and two friends were ambushed, his friends killed, and his dragon slayed. For months he wandered, becoming more and more mad, until he was found unconscious by a kind farmer, and returned to the Riders’ council.

When the Riders refused to grant him another dragon, Galbatorix grew mad with rage. Vowing revenge on the Riders, he began to hone his use of dark secrets, learned from a Shade. Then, in the dark of the night he stole a dragon hatchling, and convinced Morzan, a weak-minded Rider, to join him in his practice of dark secrets and forbidden magic. Together they gained strength, and waged a war of revenge against the Riders. Twelve more of the Riders, desiring power and revenge, joined Galbatorix, and they became the Thirteen Forsworn.

In the last bloody battle, Galbatorix gained dominance over all, and anointed himself king over all Alagaesia. And from that day on, he has ruled.

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it’s the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.

Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands.

-- Trivia; tidbits about Eragon --

‘Edward Speleers’ was a boarder at Eastbourne College when he beat out 180,000 other applicants to win the title role of Eragon.

Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart were offered the role of Brom, but turned it down because of their commitment to X-Men: The Last Stand (2006).

Joss Stone’s first film role.

Guy Pearce was a candidate for the role of Durza the Shade.

Elijah Wood and ‘Shia LaBeouf (I)’ were considered for the role of Eragon.

Christopher Paolini, author of the original novel, expressed his wishes to make a cameo appearance in the film, specifically a warrior who is beheaded in the battle of Farthen Dur. However, he was unable to due to the constraints of his European Book Tour.

Alex Pettyfer was offered the role of Eragon, previous to the casting of ‘Edward Speleers’. Pettyfer says he turned down the role partly because Eragon was being filmed in Budapest and he’s afraid of flying.

The movements of Saphira flying were modeled after those of an eagle.

‘Edward Speleers” film debut.

There are well over fifty differences between the movie and book plot lines.

In the movie, Murtagh only carries a bow. In the first Eragon book, Murtagh carried a bow, a sword, and a dagger.

Arya’s hair color was meant to be black.

Filming took place in Budapest, Hungary.

The three cast members Garrett Hedlund, ‘Edward Speleers’ and Jeremy Irons all share the middle name of John.

Murtagh’s (Garrett Hedlund) name is mentioned only once in the movie. Nasuada’s (Caroline Chikezie) name is never said. King Hrothgar’s (Gary Lewis) name or authority is never said or stated.

Many fans of the book were upset at Stefen Fangmeier’s decisions to take out crucial characters and plot lines. Most notable differences include leaving out Angela’s prophecy, Eragon’s infatuation with Arya, the character of Elva (the girl Eragon “blesses”), as well as Saphira’s appearance.

Filming started in August 2005 and finished in September same year.

The final writing credits for the movie were not decided on until days before it was released, resulting in the posters crediting various combinations of Peter Buchman, Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal and Jesse Wigutow for the screenplay. In the end, the WGA decided that Buchman alone should get the screenplay credit.

-- Goofs; can you see the goofs for Eragon --

Continuity: When Murtagh and Eragon are brought to Ajihad, Murtagh stays on Eragon’s left for several camera angles and shots but when Eragon turns around to call in Saphira, Murtagh is on Eragon’s right for the rest of the scene.

Continuity: Saphira bites the pouch, spilling milk all over the floor. In the next shot, the floor is completely dry, with no traces of milk at all.

Crew or equipment visible: When Eragon wakes up from one of his visions with Arya, there is a pair of legs behind him. The camera turns away to face Brom, and when it returns, the legs are gone.

Continuity: While Eragon is hunting at the beginning of the movie, he has an arrow nocked in his bow. When he sees the deer, he pulls another arrow from his quiver and nocks it.

Continuity: Eragon’s horse has repeatedly different facial markings throughout the movie.

Continuity: As Eragon slips off Saphira during the first flight, he falls off towards her right side. Yet when Saphira swings her tail for Eragon to catch, he grabs it from the left side.

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Brom and Eragon stop and get off their horses (after fleeing the Ra’zac, before Brom inspects Saphira), both can be heard referring to Saphira as “her” once and “she” three times during their dialogue. However, both of the characters clearly mouth the words “him” and “he”. The sound was obviously re-dubbed. Additionally, there are one or two instances of missed dubbing, and either clearly refer to Saphira with male pronouns.

Continuity: In the beginning when Eragon and his uncle are talking while brushing the horse, as the camera cuts back and forth between the two, Eragon is holding hay in his hand that’s on the horse – then he’s not – then he is – then the hay is gone at the end.

Continuity: Eragon leaves his home without his bow, but later on in the story he suddenly has it again.

Continuity: When Eragon takes his first flight in Saphira’s saddle, Brom follows them by horse, alone. Towards the end of the flight, he is leading Eragon’s horse.

Continuity: When Arya shows the Saphira’s armor to Eragon, the armor is very different than the armor that Saphira wears later – especially the helmet.

Continuity: When Brom and Eragon are riding to Daret, it can clearly be seen that Brom is leading the way. Then, in a shot when the camera flies over the two riders from behind, it is Murtagh riding instead of Brom. You can tell by the larger cape, longer hair, and the fact that he is carrying a bow, which Brom never had. Then in the next shot it is Brom again.

Revealing mistakes: At the end of the movie the King is seen taking a sword and drawing it. His nail is seen bending like soft rubber as he does so.

Continuity: When Eragon first realizes that Saphira is hungry his hand is not wrapped up, but when he withdraws his hand from around a corner holding the skin of milk, it is suddenly bandaged.

Continuity: After Eragon shoots Durza in the forehead, a close up of Durza’s face reveals the arrow coming point first out of his forehead as if he were shot from behind.

Continuity: In the scene with Angela the camera focuses on her and you see that she is wearing a gold nose ring. Then the camera focuses on Eragon and then back on her but her nose ring has disappeared.

Continuity: When Nasuada and Ajihad are showing Eragon around, Nasuada’s dress collar is on one side. Then it shows the scenery, then it goes back to the 3 characters and Nasuada’s collar had moved to the other side, then the camera Nasuada’s collar is back to where it was at the beginning.

Continuity: While Eragon watches his uncle’s house burn, it’s pouring with rain. He then rides off and suddenly it’s clear sunshine.

Continuity: Before Eragon enters the soothsayer’s hut, it is sunset. After a few minutes, when he leaves the hut, it is pitch dark. A few seconds later, during the fight, it is early dawn.

Revealing mistakes: About 40 minutes in the movie, during a riding scene, the CGI hills in the background are not synced correctly to the camera motion, giving the impression that the hills are actually moving against the foreground.

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Eragon tells Brom he is going to save Arya, Brom says Gilead is in the other direction, but Eragon didn’t tell him where Arya was.

-- Quotes; relive your favorites quotes for Eragon --

Eragon: We’ve come to join you.
Ajihad: Seize him.
Eragon: [lunges forward. Saphira roars] NO! He’s with me. He saved my life.
Ajihad: [points to Murtagh accusingly] He is the son of Morzan, the traitor.
Eragon: [turns to Murtagh] Is it true?
Murtagh: A son doesn’t choose his father.
[pulls up tunic to reveal large, ropy scar]
Murtagh: This was the only thing he ever gave me. I hated that man until the day he died.
Ajihad: Lock him up. If he tries to escape, kill him.

Murtagh: I suggest you leave quickly!

Eragon: [suddenly] How’s Arya?
Murtagh: I thought that might come up.
[tosses Eragon new clothes]
Murtagh: Get changed.

Eragon: Where’s Saphira?
Murtagh: Some friends just can’t be replaced
Murtagh: But luckily some don’t have to

Murtagh: We’ll have to go on foot from here.

Eragon: Stand up!
Murtagh: [Laughs] All my life I’ve dreamed of dragons.
Eragon: Who are you, and why are you following us?
Murtagh: I’m Murtagh, and you need me, Dragon Rider.
Eragon: Thanks, but we’re fine without you.
Murtagh: You seek the Varden? I know the mountains, every valley and stream.
[points to Arya, who is on the ground]
Murtagh: She will suffer if you go astray.
Eragon: [suspicious] Why would you risk your life for us?
Murtagh: My family was slaughtered by the king’s men when I was a boy. I heard rumors, they said a Rider had appeared. If there were ever a time for retribution, this was it.
Eragon: If you can show me the quickest way to the Varden.
Murtagh: Then to the Varden it is.
Murtagh: [walks forward a few steps, then stops and turns to Eragon] You’ll learn to trust me, Dragon Rider.
[Saphira growls]
Eragon: I’m not the only one you need to convince.

Murtagh: [Eragon saves Murtagh's life] I guess we’re even!

Eragon: Who are you and why are you following us?
Murtagh: I’m Murtagh and you need me, Dragon Rider.