The Milagro Beanfield War

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The Milagro Beanfield War

R

Released Mar 18, 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

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.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 23, 2019

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Variety Staff

Variety

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

Nov 7, 2007

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

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

Nov 7, 2007

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

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

Rated: 3/4

Nov 26, 2022

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

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

Rated: 3/4

Oct 3, 2020

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

"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.

Rated: 4.5/5

Apr 2, 2020

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Stephen C

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

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mark g

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.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/25/24

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Bahad j

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

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Geke g

Well written dialogues and directing

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/24

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Munkhchimeg T

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/24

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T D

This scene... every morning for 35+ years I say "Thank you god, for giving me another day". This morning I couldn't visualize it so I checked here. I had the line wrong, as remembered. But in this forgiving universe it has worked anyway to allow me to express my gratitude - through it all. And today. Very special movie to me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/20/23

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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

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