The Milagro Beanfield War
by Robert Redford
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: James Gammon, Julie Carmen, Richard Bradford, Rubén Blades, Sonia BragaDirector: Robert Redford
Brand: Universal Studios
Cinematographer: Robbie Greenberg
Producer: Robert Redford
Producer: Charles Mulvehill
Producer: Gary Hendler
Producer: Moctesuma Esparza
Writer: David S. Ward
Writer: John Nichols
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language); Spanish (Original Language); French (Dubbed); Spanish (Dubbed)
Format: Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 117 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-05-31
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of The Milagro Beanfield War
Movie Review: It's a Milagro
Summary: 5 Stars
Since the medium was first introduced, I've been waiting (were it applicable for me, I'd say praying, on bended knee) for Milagro to appear on DVD. This movie easily ranks among the top entries in my "desert island" must-haves. To be honest, I never held out much hope that it would ever happen. The release of this title on DVD is one of the most pleasant surprises in recent memory, almost enough to make me religious -- "Thank you God for granting me another day!"
Nichol's work, after his successful novel "The Sterile Cuckoo" (made into a movie starring a very young Lisa Minelli) and his subsequent move to northern New Mexico, took a turn that was politically anathema to some (increasingly leftist), but his passion for the land and for the people transcends the realm of the political and becomes something spiritual -- hence, the name, Milagro, which means miracle. Even if you can't identify politically, this is one of the most beautiful cinematic presentations I've seen, and it's drenched in humanity.
Prior to Redford's movie interpretation, I was already a total Nichols fan. His New Mexico Trilogy -- The Milagro Beanfield War (1974), The Magic Journey (1978), and The Nirvana Blues (1981) -- was a heartfelt take on the northern New Mexico socioscape of indigenous people suffering in the wake of encroaching money and development from major American population centers. Rich people, searching for escapes, retreats, and vacation homes in the gorgeous Western hinterland, have been displacing the long-time residents of those hinterlands for decades. Nichol's books take on the viewpoint of the people dispossessed and disenfranchised. The theme still resonates today wherever the powerless are pushed aside for new development, vacation estates/ranchettes, or a new golf course. The last paragraph of "Nirvana Blues" confirms Nichol's digust with America's disregard for the powerless. His main character dreams of going to a better place, a place where people are respected, honest work is respected, and wealth doesn't rule absolutely -- in Nichol's 1981 vision, this means Cuba: "Yet Joe remained intact, and continued falling toward the green hills and succulent valleys of a Communist country."
Today, of course, it wouldn't be politic to make such a statement. As a political entity, communism has been pronounced a failure (Ronnie Reagan, early to mid 80s), and, by extension, ANY and ALL social concepts like the rights of each and every member of a given society have fallen into disrepute. After all, we live in George Bush's America ... now that I think about it, the message of the New Mexico Trilogy is more relevant today than it has been at any time since 1981. Ultimately, Nichol's work is about protecting the rights of the common man in the face of political and monied interests. I ain't no rich man's son, and I can identify. If you've ever experienced a feeling of creeping social vulnerability, of being overrun by irresistable forces, of being dispassionately cast aside, check out this movie, and better yet, read the three books in Nichol's New Mexico Trilogy. They're all about people, the land, and real compassion.They're also very rich reads, produced by a highly skilled wordsmith.
I don't know how involved you were in the production of this DVD, but thank you VERY MUCH Robert Redford for making the release of this movie to DVD a reality.
Oh, I forgot to mention that the soundtrack is magical. My wife and I have been hoping that it would make it to CD at some point, but that's probably WAY too much to hope for. (Hey, Mr. Redford, what are the chances? Maybe just make the tracks downloadable on iTunes?)
Summary of The Milagro Beanfield War
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