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The Milagro Beanfield War

  • 19881988
  • RR
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
6.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
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
27 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • Fantasy

An accidental breakdown of a valve on the irrigation ditch launches a hot confrontation between local farmers and corrupt authorities.An accidental breakdown of a valve on the irrigation ditch launches a hot confrontation between local farmers and corrupt authorities.An accidental breakdown of a valve on the irrigation ditch launches a hot confrontation between local farmers and corrupt authorities.

IMDb RATING
6.8/10
6.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Robert Redford
  • Writers
    • John Nichols(novel)
    • David S. Ward
  • Stars
    • Rubén Blades
    • Richard Bradford
    • Sônia Braga
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Redford
  • Writers
    • John Nichols(novel)
    • David S. Ward
  • Stars
    • Rubén Blades
    • Richard Bradford
    • Sônia Braga
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 59User reviews
    • 14Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:28
    Official Trailer

    Photos27

    Robert Redford and Christopher Walken in The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)
    The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)
    Julie Carmen in The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)
    The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)
    The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)
    The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)
    The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)
    Sônia Braga and John Heard in The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)
    Carlos Riquelme in The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)
    The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)
    Rubén Blades and Freddy Fender in The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)
    Christopher Walken and Rubén Blades in The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)

    Top cast

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

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In the tiny town of Milagro, New Mexico, where the local water is a premium resource, shady developer Ladd Devine has conceived a glitzy resort that will ultimately siphon off all the water from the neighboring crop-fields. When handyman and farmer Joe Mondragon accidentally breaks a water valve reserved for major companies, he inadvertently sets off a small-scale water-rights war between the farmers and the developers. —Jwelch5742
    • anti capitalism
    • screenplay adapted by author
    • social commentary
    • magical realism
    • ensemble cast
    • 23 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Milagro, New Mexico. Population 426. Nothing had changed here for 300 years. But there's something about this day...
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Fantasy
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In a scene at one of the local Milagro stores where John Heard's lawyer character 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
      As Bernie pulls up to the Forest Service office during the scene with Joe's cow, his truck creates a large dust cloud which sweeps over everyone. In the next shot, the cloud is completely gone.
    • Quotes

      Joe Mondragon: You beat Luis Armijo by two votes.

      Sheriff Bernabe Montoya: That's because Domingo and Gusdorf were out of town.

      Joe Mondragon: So, you would have won by four.

      Sheriff Bernabe Montoya: Hell no man, those guys vote six, seven times apiece.

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

    User reviews59

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    sociology-anthropology
    When I entered Lewis & Clark College in autumn, 2002, I took a sociology-anthropology class. The teacher told us about water distribution systems and recommended "The Milagro Beanfield War" as a look at this topic. Since I had seen a number of Robert Redford's (who turns 71 today) movies during the past year and had thus taken an interest in his work, I decided to watch the movie.

    I have to say that it really impressed me. I don't know whether to describe it as mystifying, ethereal, or something else. I could go forever in trying to praise it, though I don't consider it the greatest movie ever. But I definitely extend the recommendation that the teacher gave the class.

    Starring Ruben Blades, Daniel Stern, Melanie Griffith, John Heard and Chick Venera.
    helpful•6
    0
    • lee_eisenberg
    • Aug 18, 2007

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 18, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Milagro (I)
    • 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

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 57 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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