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The Real Dirt on Farmer John

Play trailer Poster for The Real Dirt on Farmer John 2005 1h 22m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
88% Tomatometer 41 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Filmmaker Taggart Siegel captures two turbulent decades in the life of John Peterson, an Illinois farmer who not only tends the land but also delves into writing and performance art. A man who would as soon work the fields in a feather boa as in a pair of jeans, Peterson rises out of the bankruptcy and depression plaguing Midwest farm communities in the 1980s and saves his livelihood through organic agriculture.
The Real Dirt on Farmer John

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Ostensibly a bio about an eccentric farmer, The Real Dirt on Farmer John also doubles as a stirring exploration of man's common struggle with loss and prejudice.

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Critics Reviews

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Kevin Crust Los Angeles Times 07/26/2007
4/5
... outstanding documentary ... Go to Full Review Ella Taylor L.A. Weekly 07/26/2007
It's fascinating that this portrait of the rise, fall and rise of Midwestern organic farmer John Peterson can be read in so many different ways, only some of which appear intentionally in Taggart Siegel's sympathetic documentary. Go to Full Review Frank Scheck The Hollywood Reporter 07/25/2007
Of interest even to those not particularly interested in the subject of farming. Go to Full Review Peter Calder New Zealand Herald 04/25/2008
4/5
It also, not incidentally, an inspiring vision of the way forward for food production, a portrait of what Peterson calls "a dead farm coming back to life". After reading The Omnivore's Dilemma, it may be just the antidote you need. Go to Full Review Urban Cinefile Critics Urban Cinefile 10/21/2007
Inspiring, instructive, humorous, dramatic and moving, The Real Dirt on Farmer John is something special Go to Full Review Christopher Campbell Cinematical 09/17/2007
2/5
The Real Dirt on Farmer John offers no discovery or mystery into the Peterson family or their farm, only matter-of-fact self-importance. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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03/25/2020 A lo-fidelity, fascinating flick that follows the hardships and open-mindedness of Farmer John Peterson; a non-fictional story that reminds us that face-value judgement is far from ideal. For those looking for creative reinvigoration, I recommend this film. See more 09/19/2014 Life-affirming, like the Shadyac documentary I Am. These two films might have saved Robin Williams. See more 06/04/2014 I think it is quite telling that a progressive farmer albeit one who is a bit eccentric is targeted instead of embraced. A lesson in how society deals with new ideas in a not so positive manner. See more ken k 05/07/2014 What is old is new and if this planet is to recuperate from it's "sanity slumber" the younger generation must be taught that the easy, fast way is not always the best way! Mother nature is truly not to be messed with and once some people learn it will be too late. See this wonderful film about a great American family that comes equipped with all the crazy idiosyncrasies that all families have. In this case these quirks only make the real story and goal of this great documentary more fun to discover. See it please and let the little ones join in. They are the future. Ken K, See more 12/22/2012 What a great story. I truly admire this person. See more 06/04/2012 In one of Siegel's earlier docs, an eye opening look at organ farming. See more Read all reviews
The Real Dirt on Farmer John

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Cast & Crew

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Taggart Siegel

Director

John Peterson

Writer

Teri Lang

Producer

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The Real Dirt on Farmer John

A scene from the film "The Real Dirt on Farmer John." A scene from the film "The Real Dirt on Farmer John." The Real Dirt on Farmer John (2005) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmaker Taggart Siegel captures two turbulent decades in the life of John Peterson, an Illinois farmer who not only tends the land but also delves into writing and performance art. A man who would as soon work the fields in a feather boa as in a pair of jeans, Peterson rises out of the bankruptcy and depression plaguing Midwest farm communities in the 1980s and saves his livelihood through organic agriculture.
Director
Taggart Siegel
Producer
Teri Lang
Screenwriter
John Peterson
Production Co
Collective Eye
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 21, 2005, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jan 20, 2006
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$34.3K
Runtime
1h 22m