The Milagro Beanfield War

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The Milagro Beanfield War

R

1988

1h 57m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

In the tiny town of Milagro, New Mexico, where the local water is a premium resource, shady developer Ladd Devine (Richard Bradford) has conceived a glitzy resort that will ultimately siphon off all the water from the neighboring crop-fields. When handyman and farmer Joe Mondragon (Chick Vennera) 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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Critics Consensus

Arguably Robert Redford's most inchoate work, The Milagro Beanfield War has plenty of beautiful moments, but they don't quite add up to a worthwhile whole.

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

07/23/2019

2.5/4

Magazine articles about its making have outlined the problems: multiple script changes, wholesale reshooting. The tinkering appears to have eroded the film's basic core. It is now a series of audience-pleasing turns, with little sense of unity.

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Variety Staff

Variety

11/07/2007

Redford and company have put a quirky twist on the material, investing it with a quasi-mystical aspect as well as some raw comedy.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

11/07/2007

Fairly choked with good intentions, whimsy, touches of fantasy, and cardboard liberal stereotypes.

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

11/26/2022

3/4

“Milagro” is a wonderful film with a nice message that is too overpowering to the story

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

10/03/2020

3/4

A charming ensemble piece that sprinkles a dash of magical realism over the familiar tale of underdogs rebelling against a corrupt and capitalist system.

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

04/02/2020

4.5/5

"Milagro" captures the inherent naiveté of the liberal '60s sentiment of power to the people. Hilarious and incredibly warm, it's a tribute to a fading culture, leaving one with an ache, knowing soon nobody will be able to hear the wisdom of Coyote Angel.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 07/22/2025

Funny in 1 hour and 57 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $12,700,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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mark g

@Mark_Alan_G. 09/25/2024

This was not a very good movie. It tries so hard to be irreverent and quirky, but it's so forced and stale. Comes off like a bad made for PBS film. Complete waste of acting talent. Grew so bored by the numerous failed attempts at humor.

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Bahad j

@RT27093708 08/06/2024

I really liked how the actors got into their roles so well. I think that people watching the movie and other people really liked the fact that he is so naturally and elegantly immersed in his role.

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Geke g

@RT40239519 08/05/2024

Well written dialogues and directing

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Munkhchimeg T

@RT64187897 08/05/2024

Meaningful and thoughtful movie. I am pretty sure that you will learn many new things

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j f

@LiberteBurrows 10/02/2023

Great cast. James Gammon rules.

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Robert Redford

Director

Sônia Braga

Ruby Archuleta, Owner Ruby's Body Shop

Chick Vennera

Joe Mondragon

Rubén Blades

Sheriff Bernabe Montoya

Richard Bradford

Ladd Devine, Owner Ladd Land & Cattle Co.

Julie Carmen

Nancy Mondragon

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Synopsis

In the tiny town of Milagro, New Mexico, where the local water is a premium resource, shady developer Ladd Devine (Richard Bradford) has conceived a glitzy resort that will ultimately siphon off all the water from the neighboring crop-fields. When handyman and farmer Joe Mondragon (Chick Vennera) 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.

Director: Robert Redford
Producer: Moctesuma Esparza, Robert Redford
Screenwriter: John Nichols
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 18, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.7M
Runtime: 1h 57m
Sound Mix: Surround