Milagro Beanfield War

Milagro Beanfield War (DVD) (*)

Out of Stock

Screened, competed or awarded at:
Golden Globes
Oscar Academy Awards
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Surround )
English ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Australia ( PAL/Region 2.4 )

Running Time:
113 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.85:1)

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1988 and produced in:
United States ( USA, Canada )

Directed By:
Robert Redford

Written By:
John Nichols (also novel)
David S. Ward

Actors:
Rubén Blades ..... Sheriff Bernabe Montoya
Richard Bradford ..... Ladd Devine, Owner Ladd Land & Cattle Co.
Sonia Braga ..... Ruby Archuleta, Owner Ruby's Body Shop
Julie Carmen ..... Nancy Mondragon
James Gammon ..... Horsethief Shorty
Melanie Griffith ..... Flossie Devine
John Heard ..... Charlie Bloom, Activist Lawyer & Publisher of La Vos Del Norte
Carlos Riquelme ..... Amarante Cordova
Daniel Stern ..... Herbie Platt
Chick Vennera ..... Joe Mondragon
Christopher Walken ..... Kyril Montana
Freddy Fender ..... Milagro Mayor Sammy Cantu
Tony Genaro ..... Nick Rael, Storekeeper
Jerry Hardin ..... Emerson Capps, Devine man
Ronald G. Joseph ..... Jerry G, Forest Service Officer

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. Adapted by John Nichols and David Ward from Nichols' own novel, Milagro Beanfield War may be the most likeable 'liberal-tract' film of the 1980s. Robert Redford's appropriately Capraesque direction is matched by Dave Grusin's vibrant Oscar-winning musical score.

In Milagro, a small town in the American Southwest, Ladd Devine plans to build a major new resort development. While activist Ruby Archuleta and lawyer/newspaper editor Charlie Bloom realize that this will result in the eventual displacement of the local Hispanic farmers, they cannot arouse much opposition because of the short term opportunities offered by construction jobs. But when Joe Mondragon illegally diverts water to irrigate his bean field, the local people support him because of their resentment of water use laws that favor the rich like Devine. When the Governor sends in ruthless troubleshooter Kyril Montana to settle things quickly before the lucrative development is cancelled, a small war threatens to erupt.

When a Chicano handyman from the Milagro Valley decides to irrigate his beanfield by 'borrowing' some water from a large, potentially destructive, development site, he unknowingly sets off a chain reaction that erupts into a humourous culture clash.

When the developers try to stamp out the modest planting, the handyman's friends team up with the spirited 'rebel' to protect and preserve their way of life.

This product was added to our catalog on Tuesday 15 November, 2005.