It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

In my point of view, this film not only talks about just a community but also shows the sights and sounds of one of the most prevalent issues that our world faces today. The film's main argument is about the major crisis of water shortage that we face today and how the multinational corporations are taking advantage of this to make themselves a fortune. In the process these global organizations are not only remorselessly exploiting and starving the poor people to death but also destroying our pristine Eco-system. Water is vitally important resource; yet it seems as though no one pays any attention to it. This film shows a disappointed community due to lack of work opportunity. All frustration comes from 'water law' which is not clear to general people and power holder takes that advantage from that law. Unfortunately, most of the developing nations' minority class like farmers and villagers has been victimized in this situation. I would like to mention one very small character, a woman through stone to people when they passing through her yard and short view where all people brought bullet with their food stamp. Director used it for showing deepness of frustration of that community people. Both are illegal but the community peoples point of view, it was really a time demand. In last scene, that woman and all people were celebrating that bean together. Coming from one of these developing or so called Third World countries, I was aware of this crisis from experience. I have grown up watching the plight and misery of people caused by various global concerns and water shortage was one of them. However, I have to admit that before watching this film, I was completely unaware of the degree and extent to which this problem have been taken due to the involvement of these greedy multinational companies. The film makers' suggestion is for us to fight for your right, if you are in right way you will get support from general people. However, this is not going to help a lot since the situation has worsened so much that only drastic measures may be the only option for us to re-stabilize the planet's problems and its Eco-system.

The biggest name associated with The Milagro Beanfield War is its director Robert Redford. He does not step in front of the camera at any time during this film. Instead Redford assembled and directed a capable cast of players in a colorful and quaint tale about fighting city hall.But it's not municipal, but the state government itself in Milagro, New Mexico's struggle with developer Richard Bradford. Their tiny little town has been selected by him with the backing of New Mexico's governor M. Emmet Walsh for a resort development. The first part of said development is the construction of a small dam that stops water from getting to the beanfields of the Chicano farmers who have lived there and scratched a living from the soil for many generations. Bradford's plans will result in a kind of rural gentrification as these farmers will not be able to live on property that will increase in value as the taxes go up on it as well. But when Chick Vennera punches a hole in the dam and irrigates his beanfield that starts a populist type war in Milagro. Vennera becomes a symbol and rallying point for the Chicano farmers against the Anglo developers. Caught in the middle of all this is the town magistrate Ruben Blades who sympathizes with Vennera's struggle.Vennera has some other allies in community activists John Heard and Sonia Braga and visiting sociology student Daniel Stern. But Bradford sends his ace troubleshooter Christopher Walken in and he plays kind of rough.Redford directed The Milagro Beanfield War with a light touch, but still made his points well. Robert Redford's reputation as one who has devoted himself to conservation issues is well known and this film gives him quite the venue. The Milagro Beanfield War won an Oscar in the only category it was nominated in for Best Original Music Score. The score utilized some traditional Mexican folk themes and the arrangements are quite nice.So is the cinematography done completely on location in New Mexico, in the west that Robert Redford would like to see more of preserved and ordinary people just given a chance to make a living.

The tiny New Mexico town of Milagro is about to be taken over by developers. However farmer Joe Mondragon (Chick Vennera) builds a beanfield using their water. This sparks off a war that threatens to get more and dangerous between the developers and townspeople.This came (and went) very quickly in 1988. The only reason it was made at all was because director Robert Redford's previous film ("Ordinary People") had been a big hit and won multiple Oscars. The title alone probably turned away most moviegoers. That's too bad because this is a sweet, lyrical movie. It somehow manages to draw the viewer into this small town and the inhabitants and make you care and side with them. It helps that there is some simply gorgeous cinematography and it has an Oscar-winning score that perfectly matches the films mood and tone. Also there is a huge cast of American and Latino actors--all of them are just great! The beautiful Sonia Braga is on hand and takes a minor role and really brings it to life. Also there's a simply wonderful scene where John Heard tells off evil Christopher Walken (Walken's always dazed expression perfectly fits this scene). A one of a kind beautiful film.The films R rating is unnecessary. There's no nudity, sex and minor bloodless violence. There's a little swearing but it's casual and done so quickly you're not even aware of it. It deserves a PG-13. Worth catching but not for everybody.

There is a soundtrack for the movie, I own it and it's great. It's not as good as the movie and includes a few that are just the background stuff but there is some excellent music. keep searching, I bought mine a while ago (mid 80's?).The movie is one of my favorites and I'd recommend it to anyone. It's also a great movie to watch with a chic. They like the romantic aspects and the drama while the guys like the comedy and the 'chase'. It's a bit like British comedy in that there are a lot of subtle jokes but it is thoroughly entertaining for men as well as women.I need one more line of text so here it is . . . one more line of text.