The Milagro Beanfield War

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.

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!!!

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

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.

I enjoyed this movie, and had never heard of it before I watched it for a class. I was amazed that I hadn't, given the number of stars in it. Christopher Walken, John Heard and Melanie Griffith before they were big names. What I loved most about the film though, was its ambiguity about the extent of "true" magic in the New Mexican town of Milagro. The very fact that the town is named Milagro, Spanish for miracle, suggests a magical quality about the town. Many things happen that could be explained rationally, but are not clarified or suggest the supernatural. When the water from the local river owned by Devine's Miracle Valley site accidentally flows into the Mondragon bean field, ghosts are at work. When Amarante, the oldest man in the village is talking to saints and angels, other people see a senile old man and never imagine that he truly could be talking to ghosts apparent to his eyes only. When crosses mentioning "El Brazo Onofre," the thieving trickster of local lore, Devine and his men assume that its the work of dissenting townspeople, though no one ever admits to the crime or is implicated in any way. These ordinary forms of magic show a charmingly realistic depiction of the supernatural. Even the music, beautifully scored by the talented Dave Gruisin suggests a mysterious air. The music sounds like carnival music, alternating from major to minor keys suddenly and ethereally, just as the elements of nature and reality contort to suit the needs of the "miracle town."