The Milagro Beanfield War

Product Description

Robert Redford directs this absolutely delightful comedy of everyday people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. When a Chicano handyman from the Milagro Valley decides to irrigate his small beanfield by borrowing some water from a large and potentially destructive site, he unknowingly sets off a chain reaction that erupts into a humorous culture clash. The developers then try to stamp out the modest plantings, forcing the handyman s friends to team up with the spirited rebel to protect and preserve their way of life.

System Requirements:

Running Time 118 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

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Robert Redford's underrated directorial follow-up to his Academy Award-winning Ordinary People, The Milagro Beanfield War is a loose and whimsical fable about community pride and social activism in the face of modern progress. Sonia Braga (Kiss of the Spider Woman) plays a local mechanic in a small New Mexico town who takes up the challenge of rallying support for a local farmer who uses water owned by a real estate developer to grow beans in his field. Everything escalates to a showdown between the townspeople and the developers, with unexpected results. The strongest aspect of the film is the way it doesn't take itself too seriously, with Redford adopting a leisurely tone and allowing his fine cast (including Ruben Blades as the pragmatic town sheriff and Christopher Walken as a nasty state police officer) to deliver finely nuanced performances that touch on themes of faith and perseverance without seeming heavy-handed. The Milagro Beanfield War is an overlooked gem. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews:

EXCELLENTO STORY.......2007-08-25

THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING STORY AND VERY INFORMATIVE ABOUT HOW WEALTH AND DEVELOPEMENT CAN HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON A COMMUNITY. THE CHARACTERS ARE EXTREMELY ENDEARING AND FUNNY, EVEN THROUGH ALL THE TRAVAILS THEY GO THROUGH AND THE ACTING IS SUPERB. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

The little film that could.......2007-07-12

This is a humorous and thought-provoking little indie film about culture conflict and modernization in rural America. Everything about this film is lovable, including the outstanding cast. I was first introduced to this film in a college lecture hall where hundreds of students laughed and applauded all the way through, and I've since shown it to several friends who loved it as well. Highly recommended!

such a great and memorable film.............2007-06-13

THE MILAGRO BEANFIELD WAR was a wonderfully orchestrated, directed and overlooked film by Robert Redford. It truly showcases magical realism, a style of storytelling often depicted in Latin American tales, LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE, a novel written by Laura Esquivel and brought to the screen by Alfonso Arau, being another great example. Essentially, magical realism is an artistic genre in which magical elements appear in an otherwise realistic setting. When done well in film, the viewer transported to another space and time where there nothing is impossible.

This great story take place in a small New Mexican town (I am not exaggerating when I say "small," either. The population is 500 and many of the residents acquire their livelihood from the land, in the beanfields, to be specific). All of that is about to be challenged by stealthy land developers who want to destroy the rich and pliable earth, to construct golf courses and other more Yuppified, upper-middle class attractions. There is one man who plans to stand his ground in the face of developers (and even bulldozers). That man is Joe Mondragon (Chick Vennera). What's more, Amarante, the elder of the town (Carlos Riquelme), who has been written off as crazy, speaks to the angels (people who knew and lived in the town long before the developers were even a glimmer in their parent's eyes). This also co-stars Christopher Walken, as the token "bad guy" (a typecast he has become all to well-known for), Sonia Braga, Ruben Blades and Daniel Stern.

Magical realism comes into play in many respects. For example, Amarante's dialogue with the angels is very real and common place for the elderly man, but a form of insanity to his neighbors. Also, the line between incident and fate gets progressively blurred, after an accident occurs. I don't want to ruin it for you, so, you'll just have to see it for yourself. This film is humorous, intelligent and very well-done. I think you'll enjoy it, too.

Beans are more than food........2007-05-02

I found the Milagro Beanfield War more delightful with each viewing. The scenery alone was worth the purchase price.(As was the soundtrack). But the story was the thing. One felt that these peopel were real. The acting was excellent Ms Braga and Mr. Blades were wonderful. I finally travelled to New Mexico and saw where it was filmed and fell in love all over agin with the movie.

Beautiful Low Budget Movie.......2007-04-01

This movie is a true sleeper with a great story line. The casting was perfect and the acting first class. This is a must see for those interested in a great moral message.

Average customer rating:

EXCELLENTO STORY
The little film that could
such a great and memorable film......
Beans are more than food.
Beautiful Low Budget Movie

The Milagro Beanfield War [Region 2]
Starring: Rubén Blades , Richard Bradford , Sonia Braga , Julie Carmen , and James Gammon
Director: Robert Redford
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00005N53U

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Customer Reviews:

EXCELLENTO STORY.......2007-08-25

The little film that could.......2007-07-12

such a great and memorable film.............2007-06-13

Beans are more than food........2007-05-02

Beautiful Low Budget Movie.......2007-04-01

This movie is a true sleeper with a great story line. The casting was perfect and the acting first class. This is a must see for those interested in a great moral message.

Milagro Beanfield War [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ]

Average customer rating:

Milagro Beanfield War [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ]
Director: Robert Redford
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

Australia released, PAL/Region 4 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: English (Dolby Surround), English (Subtitles), WIDESCREEN, SYNOPSIS: It's advisable to know from the beginning of The Milagro Beanfield War that "milagro" is the Spanish word for "miracle". The scene is a rundown Hispanic community in New Mexico, bordering a posh housing development. In full control of the local water rights, the powers-that-be are secure in the belief that they'll be able to expand their development without resistance from the locals. No one can foresee that impoverished farmer Chick Vennera, during a burst of frustrated rage, will accidentally open a heretofore hidden sluice, thereby providing free water for his beanfield. At first, the locals are against Vennera's "insurrection", reasoning that the new housing development will provide jobs. But with the help of John Heard, a burned-out 60s activist who now runs the community newspaper, Vennera becomes the hero of the hour, the spiritual leader of an ever-growing "no development" movement. The evil land developers send their minions to intimidate or coerce Vennera; each time, however, he is seemingly protected from harm by Divine intervention. When Vennera is forced to shoot a trespasser on his land, it looks as though his luck has run out. Chased into the hills by private detective Christopher Walken, Vennera is once more rescued in the nick of time by what appears to be a miracle. And there are more wonders to behold before fadeout time! Whimsical yes, but thanks to its hand-picked ensemble cast (including Sonia Braga, Ruben Blades, James Gammon, Daniel Stern, Freddy Fender, M. Emmett Walsh and Melanie Griffith) the film remains totally credible throughout.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Scene Access, Interactive Menu,

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