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.

Director:

Robert Redford

Writers:

John Nichols (novel), John Nichols (screenplay)

Stars:

Rubén Blades, Richard Bradford, Sônia Braga

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rubén Blades	...	Sheriff Bernabe Montoya
Richard Bradford	...	Ladd Devine
Sônia Braga	...	Ruby Archuleta (as Sonia Braga)
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 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.

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Plot Keywords:

water | governor | small town | police officer | politics | 

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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 | Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

After the movie was first released, the film's source novelist and co-screenwriter John Nichols, wrote an essay entitled "Night of the Living Beanfield: How an Unsuccessful Cult Novel Became an Unsuccessful Cult Film in Only Fourteen Years, Eleven Nervous Breakdowns, and $20 Million".

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Goofs

At the end of the movie when Joe is handcuffed, Montana says "i hope there is no trouble for your sake", then you hear Bernie Montoya say "montana the key". This phrase is repeated a little later as Montana is walking away after being called back by the governor and Montana tosses the keys high in the air.

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Quotes

Amarante Cordova: Nobody would do anything if they knew what they were in for.

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Connections

References The Price Is Right (1972)

User Reviews

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.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

18 March 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Milagro Beanfield War

Filming Locations:

New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$47,271, 20 March 1988

Gross USA:

$13,825,794

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,825,794

Company Credits

Production Co:

Esparza, Universal Pictures, Wildwood Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1