The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)

In Milagro, a small town in the American Southwest, Ladd Devine plans to build a major new resort development. While activist Ruby Archuleta and lawyer/newspaper editor Charlie Bloom ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Redford

Writers:

John Nichols (novel), John Nichols (screenplay),

Stars:

Rubén Blades, Richard Bradford, Sonia Braga

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rubén Blades	...	Sheriff Bernabe Montoya
Richard Bradford	...	Ladd Devine
Sonia Braga	...	Ruby Archuleta
Julie Carmen	...	Nancy Mondragon
James Gammon	...	Horsethief Shorty
Melanie Griffith	...	Flossie Devine
John Heard	...	Charlie Bloom
Carlos Riquelme	...	Amarante Cordova
Daniel Stern	...	Herbie Platt
Chick Vennera	...	Joe Mondragon
Christopher Walken	...	Kyril Montana
Freddy Fender	...	Mayor Sammy Cantu
Tony Genaro	...	Nick Rael
Jerry Hardin	...	Emerson Capps
Ronald G. Joseph	...	Jerry G

Storyline

In Milagro, a small town in the American Southwest, Ladd Devine plans to build a major new resort development. While activist Ruby Archuleta and lawyer/newspaper editor Charlie Bloom realize that this will result in the eventual displacement of the local Hispanic farmers, they cannot arouse much opposition because of the short term opportunities offered by construction jobs. But when Joe Mondragon illegally diverts water to irrigate his bean field, the local people support him because of their resentment of water use laws that favor the rich like Devine. When the Governor sends in ruthless troubleshooter Kyril Montana to settle things quickly before the lucrative development is cancelled, a small war threatens to erupt.

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Plot Keywords:

water | small town | governor | pig | new mexico | 

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Taglines:

Milagro, New Mexico. Population 426. Nothing had changed here for 300 years. But there's something about this day...

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

18 March 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Milagro

Filming Locations:

Espanola, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$13,825,794 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Esparza, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

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 frequent co-star Paul Newman.

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Goofs

During the scene 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.

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Quotes

Herbie Platt: What is it?
Amarante Cordova: Lizard tail tea.
Herbie Platt: Probably been in the family for generations I bet.
Amarante Cordova: No, I found it on the highway this morning

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Connections

Referenced in Jersey Girl (2004)

User Reviews

One of the best. Underrated and unappreciated.

I lived in Santa Fe, NM for 20 years which is only about 20 miles from Truchas, NM where TMBW was filmed. This movie was right on the money in its portrayal of Northern New Mexico, both in its culture and in its politics. The movie itself is one of the most sublime films I've ever seen in the true sense of the word. It has grandeur of thought, emotion and spirit. It has been bashed in this comment area by those raised on Star Wars, Predator, and the Matrix. To enjoy a movie like TMBW, you have to have a sense of awe, wonder and joy...and a good sense of humor. If you don't, you may get bored. If you do, then you'll find two hours well spent. I obviously love this movie. The music alone will transport you to a pleasant part of your mind, and the absolutely gorgeous New Mexico scenery will make you want to go there to see if it's really real. Try it, you'll like it.