The Milagro Beanfield War

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.

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.

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!!!

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.

Growing up in my family it was a birth rite to see this movie. The movie is about my great grand dad Joe Mondragon. i remember seeing this movie in school and everyone asking me about it. I don't remember much about my great grand father cuz i was like 6 what i do remember was that i only got to meet him once. But what i associate with him all comes from this movie i hope that it is at least mostly true.This movie has meant a lot to me and i hope that i continues to mean a lot to every one who sees it. It helps us remember our past and our future and also reminds us to be tolerant of others and that we should try to help keep the little guys way of life.