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The Milagro Beanfield War

  • 1988
  • R
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
7.2K
YOUR RATING
The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)
An accidental breakdown of a valve on the irrigation ditch launches a hot confrontation between local farmers and corrupt authorities.
Play trailer1:28
1 Video
22 Photos
ComedyDramaFantasy

The accidental breakdown of an irrigation valve launches a hot confrontation between the mainly Latino farmers in a tiny New Mexico town and the real estate developers and politicians determ... Read allThe accidental breakdown of an irrigation valve launches a hot confrontation between the mainly Latino farmers in a tiny New Mexico town and the real estate developers and politicians determined to acquire their land for a golf resort.The accidental breakdown of an irrigation valve launches a hot confrontation between the mainly Latino farmers in a tiny New Mexico town and the real estate developers and politicians determined to acquire their land for a golf resort.

  • Director
    • Robert Redford
  • Writers
    • John Nichols
    • David S. Ward
  • Stars
    • Rubén Blades
    • Richard Bradford
    • Sonia Braga
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    7.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Robert Redford
    • Writers
      • John Nichols
      • David S. Ward
    • Stars
      • Rubén Blades
      • Richard Bradford
      • Sonia Braga
    • 65User reviews
    • 21Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:28
    Official Trailer

    Photos22

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    Top cast65

    Edit
    Rubén Blades
    Rubén Blades
    • Sheriff Bernabe Montoya
    • (as Ruben Blades)
    Richard Bradford
    Richard Bradford
    • Ladd Devine
    Sonia Braga
    Sonia Braga
    • Ruby Archuleta
    Julie Carmen
    Julie Carmen
    • Nancy Mondragon
    James Gammon
    James Gammon
    • Horsethief Shorty
    Melanie Griffith
    Melanie Griffith
    • Flossie Devine
    John Heard
    John Heard
    • Charlie Bloom
    Carlos Riquelme
    Carlos Riquelme
    • Amarante Cordova
    Daniel Stern
    Daniel Stern
    • Herbie Platt
    Chick Vennera
    Chick Vennera
    • Joe Mondragon
    Christopher Walken
    Christopher Walken
    • Kyril Montana
    Freddy Fender
    Freddy Fender
    • Mayor Sammy Cantu
    Tony Genaro
    Tony Genaro
    • Nick Rael
    Jerry Hardin
    Jerry Hardin
    • Emerson Capps
    Ronald G. Joseph
    • Jerry G
    Mario Arrambide
    • Carl
    Robert Carricart
    Robert Carricart
    • Coyote Angel
    Alberto Morin
    Alberto Morin
    • The Senile Brigade
    • Director
      • Robert Redford
    • Writers
      • John Nichols
      • David S. Ward
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews65

    6.87.2K
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    Featured reviews

    jpreynolds

    A great film and an even better book

    If you enjoyed this film, you will enjoy the book more.

    A simple tale of the sruggle of the weak against the strong. Yet a salient example of how the weak only become strong when they stick together. The film lacks the menace that is in the book, the way that the people turn against devine is somewhat sanitised for the film. Perhaps the message in the book is a little too scary for Hollywood.

    This is potentilly a highly charged political film, made in to a heart warming whimisical comedy by RR - but don't see that as a criticism, as it is a good work in it's own right.

    One of my favourite films and in my top ten for books.
    John-304

    What a delightful experience....

    This movie has a wonderful fantasy tone to it. Unlike real life where we take what we get, in this film everything just seems to fall into place as "nature" intended it to. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could live in that world? A definite 10!!!
    jpic99

    A Quiet, Magical Masterpiece

    Beautiful film from (then very fresh) director Robert Redford. This film depicts the epic struggle between good and evil with some very nice twists. Excellent roles that were handled well by Ruben Blades, Sonia Braga, James Gammon, and a host of many other great characters that were depicted quite well. Chris Walken presents to us the governmental enforcer to a sheer tee. Richard Bradford (joined by Melanie Griffith) also gives us the perfect "fat cat" & (his) band of bad guys that are trying to hoard an already conspicuous pipeline of water through a dry valley near the Mexican border when one of the (near povertied) residents of Milagro makes a grave, yet somehow worthy mistake. Milagro is a community inhabited by crazy townfolk, idealistic views, & even a familiar face (Freddy Fender) as town mayor. Get ready for ghosts, legends, and an inspiring story and cast that will keep you smiling, thinking, and loving this film for many years to come! *A grammy won that year for the haunting soundtrack was also quite well deserved.
    otisbird

    Heartwarming

    I have seen many of the actors & actresses that are in this movie in other films. This movie brings out the BEST in all of them. Blades & Sterns were excellent. This is one movie were Melinie Griffins doesn't come off as a sex pot. It gave such a nice warm feeling to be part of this small town. The back ground music was light but added a lot. I own this movie and watch it often. Thanks
    hwedhlor

    A thoroughly delightful movie with Oscar winning music!

    I watch this movie on VHS every few months just to renew the good feeling it gives me and expect that I'll wear the tape out eventually.

    The score won an Oscar for Dave Grusin, yet there is no soundtrack available, which is a real shame. Angel Romero did some great guitar work on this film, and the Milagro Suite is a wonderful piece of music.

    The story is funny and poignant, and the movie deserves to be better known than it is, as Robert Redford's direction has produced a film story that is much better than the book. There should be a DVD release of this film.

    Highly recommended.

    Best Emmys Moments

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      At one of the local Milagro stores where lawyer Charlie Bloom is dropping off his newspapers, a woman is shopping for Newman's Own salad dressing. The store owner tells her, that's no good, buy something else---an obvious in-joke in which director Robert Redford tweaks his longtime friend and two-time co-star Paul Newman.
    • Goofs
      At the Forest Service station, Jerry G. pulls out his service revolver to prevent Joe from taking his cow. The gun is pointed directly at the camera and one can see that the chambers are empty. When Sheriff Montoya intervenes, the revolver is fully loaded.
    • Quotes

      Joe Mondragon: Would you like a punch in the mouth?

      Nancy Mondragon: Go ahead. I'll hit you so hard, they'll arrest you in El Paso for speeding.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Biloxi Blues/Johnny Be Good/A New Life/The Milagro Beanfield War/Dominick and Eugene (1988)

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    FAQ20

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 18, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • El secreto de Milagro
    • Filming locations
      • Truchas, New Mexico, USA
    • Production companies
      • Esparza
      • Universal Pictures
      • Wildwood Enterprises
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $22,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $13,825,794
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $47,271
      • Mar 20, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $13,825,794
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 57m(117 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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