The riches he uncovers are silver not gold. Originally in the script Daniel Plainview has a mule that dies in the heat. Now, how Daniel Plainview made it to the nearest town - and how Quentin explained it is apocryphal - I imagine there were other silver miners in the area that could help him back into town. one thing to notice throughout the film is the way Daniel plainview holds his knee in pain when he kneels, etc. That to me just tells me how immersive Daniel-Day gets into his roles. Now I liked Paul Dano, of course his performance won’t be on par with the greatest actor in the world. But I think what Quentin missed was the level of importance that Daniel Plainview takes to this false preacher who uses the name of god and the church to further his life with the riches Daniel stole from him. Paul Dano has a right to claim some of that money and through this confilct a small war sparks between them. The two characters are little foxes that are spoiling the vines of the world. One through capitalism and the other through religion - which he disguises himself under. In the end of the movie, when Daniel deafeats Eli, and he sits there alone - laboring, he says: “I’m Finished”. After that there is nothing left of him, no emotion of any kind. He’s an empty person.
