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The Milagro Beanfield War

Play trailer Poster for The Milagro Beanfield War R 1988 1h 57m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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The Milagro Beanfield War

The Milagro Beanfield War

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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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Critics Reviews

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Bob Thomas Associated Press Jul 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. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety Nov 7, 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. Go to Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Nov 7, 2007
Fairly choked with good intentions, whimsy, touches of fantasy, and cardboard liberal stereotypes. Go to Full Review Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight Nov 26, 2022
3/4
“Milagro” is a wonderful film with a nice message that is too overpowering to the story Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Oct 3, 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. Go to Full Review Mark Jackson Epoch Times Apr 2, 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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 22, 2025 Funny in 1 hour and 57 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $12,700,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more mark g @Mark_Alan_G. Sep 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. See more Bahad j @RT27093708 Aug 6, 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. See more Geke g @RT40239519 Aug 5, 2024 Well written dialogues and directing See more Munkhchimeg T @RT64187897 Aug 5, 2024 Meaningful and thoughtful movie. I am pretty sure that you will learn many new things See more j f @LiberteBurrows Oct 2, 2023 Great cast. James Gammon rules. See more Read all reviews
The Milagro Beanfield War

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Milagro Beanfield War

The Milagro Beanfield War (1988) The Milagro Beanfield War (1988) The Milagro Beanfield War (1988) View more photos

Movie Info

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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