The Milagro Beanfield War

Editorial Review:
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
Amazon.com
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

Average customer rating: such a great and memorable film...... Beans are more than food. Beautiful Low Budget Movie Milagro Beanfield war Awesome!

The Milagro Beanfield War Starring: Rubén Blades , Richard Bradford , Sonia Braga , Julie Carmen , and James Gammon Director: Robert Redford Manufacturer: Universal Studios ProductGroup: DVD Binding: DVD General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video Bradford, Richard | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Braga, Sonia | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Carmen, Julie | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Carricart, Robert | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Gammon, James | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Griffith, Melanie | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Hardin, Jerry | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Heard, John | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Morin, Alberto | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Stern, Daniel | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Vennera, Chick | ( V ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Walken, Christopher | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Redford, Robert | ( R ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video All Universal Studios Titles | Universal Studios Home Entertainment | Studio Specials | Stores | DVD | Video Comedy | Universal Studios Home Entertainment | Studio Specials | Stores | DVD | Video DVDs Under $10 | Universal Studios Home Entertainment | Studio Specials | Stores | DVD | Video DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video ( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video Similar Items: The Milagro Beanfield War: A Novel Lone Star My Family Off the Map The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada ASIN: B0007QJ210 Release Date: 2005-05-31

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

Amazon.com

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:

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.

Milagro Beanfield war.......2007-03-26

This has always been one of my favorites. I was pleased to find it just
as enjoyable as I remembered.

Awesome!.......2007-03-11

Excellent picture and story. It is a glimpse into the struggle between those that have and those that don't. The movie does leave a bit to be desired if compared to the book, but then again, they all do. It is a great movie, highly entertaining and delightful.

Average customer rating: such a great and memorable film...... Beans are more than food. Beautiful Low Budget Movie Milagro Beanfield war Awesome!

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 Bradford, Richard | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Braga, Sonia | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Carmen, Julie | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Carricart, Robert | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Gammon, James | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Griffith, Melanie | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Hardin, Jerry | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Heard, John | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Morin, Alberto | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Stern, Daniel | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Vennera, Chick | ( V ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Walken, Christopher | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video Redford, Robert | ( R ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video ( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video Similar Items: The Milagro Beanfield War: A Novel Lone Star My Family Off the Map The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada ASIN: B00005N53U

Amazon.com

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:

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.

Milagro Beanfield war.......2007-03-26

This has always been one of my favorites. I was pleased to find it just
as enjoyable as I remembered.

Awesome!.......2007-03-11

Excellent picture and story. It is a glimpse into the struggle between those that have and those that don't. The movie does leave a bit to be desired if compared to the book, but then again, they all do. It is a great movie, highly entertaining and delightful.

Average customer rating:

Milagro Beanfield War [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ] Director: Robert Redford Manufacturer: Universal ProductGroup: DVD Binding: DVD ASIN: B000FT9NR2

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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