The Milagro Beanfield War [VHS]

Another one of Robert Redfords brilliant films, a classic

I just saw this movie once, in New York City when it first appeared on the horizon.It was virtually unknown at the time, and despite very good reviews by viewers, as well as by critics, it never really received the deserved publicity it should have.Then came VHS - the tapes, and although already entertaining in itself, there was always something missing. The theatrical experience...Finally, on DVD, one gets the original uncropped image ratio one had visiting a movie theater and there it is again, the magic, the awe, the mystery.This movie, although filmed in just 1.85:1 ratio, misses out in any other format. It is strange to say, but the way the cinematography was conceived,this is a movie that suffers tremendously when viewed in a Full Frame format (4:3 or as it used to be, Pan and Scan).The director knew very well what he was doing when he framed the picture, and indeed in this one, every frame counts for something.In other words, there is no waste of space and scenery.What is it then, this special movie I am talking about? Is it a mystery thriller? Is it a Comedy? Is it a Fantasy flick?The answer? It is a bit of all of the above.Its weave is so finely knit that one has some difficulty to outguess the storyline before the end of the picture.Is it boring then?Nope. Far from boring, but I won't reveal anything here, since it makes no sense to reveal something that should be watched to be believed.If you enjoyed "The Usual Suspects", although be warned, this ain't a copy of it, nor an ideal precursor, I am sure you will certainly bare thistiny jewel.There are many funny moments, but while watching it, one might be startled by the speed of such moments, switching into dark humor, then revertinginto mystery and back again to reality.If you like movies with a twist and with a smart story, then this one is for you. Guaranteed...

Loosely based on a true story. The little guy against the big guys. A town ghost. A wonderfully batty old man. And Christopher Walken! He's the reason I bought this film to add to my CW collection but I truly did enjoy this film. I loved Walken's character as the troubleshooting lawman and his 'this posse couldn't find itself' line was classic. Don't know whether it was supposed to be funny or serious but it made me howl in places.

I have to admit that I am not a great Robert Redford fan, although I admit he was a rather dashing Sundance kid in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", where he was able to shoot straighter when he was moving. He won an oscar for "Ordinary People"(80) on his directorial debut. Not a bad start and not a bad film, but I actually prefer this unsuccessful cult film, based on an unsuccessful cult novel by Taos, New Mexico writer John Nichols. Redford assembled a cast of journeyman, novice and master actors to tell a rich story set in Northern New Mexico about a conflict between an impoverished hispanic farmer/handyman Chick Vennera who's modest property, complete with beanfield, sits at the centre of developer Ladd Devine's proposed golf course and leisure complex. It is a Quixotic study of the little man standing up against the big guys. It also incorporates such themes as tradition against progress, the working man against the wealthy and the individual against society. Things start to get out of hand when the developer hires a ruthless private detective played by the ever impressive Christopher Walken. The largely hispanic population of Milagro side with Vennera and before long battle lines are drawn.The film sticks largely to Nichols book, which is unsurprising given that Nichols himself adapted the screenplay. There is no doubt that the book and film are influenced by the likes of Latin American master writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It studies the human condition in a gentle way in the Latin American style of magical realism. In this respect it reminded me a lot of Lasse Hallstrom's film "Chocolat". Perhaps most impressive of all is the magnificent New Mexico scenery around Truchas, in the Taos area where the film was made. Magnificent sunsets, sparkling creeks and sagebrush meadows assail the senses. When Vennera takes flight to the great outdoors later we are truly into western territory. Look out for the craggy features of that brilliant character actor James Gannon who appears like an old time western hero to save Vennera's skin. Redford once studied to be a painter in Paris and it shows in his careful attention to landscape. Taos itself has a famous art colony, and it is no surprise given the splendid scenery. Redford sticks to things close to his heart in this film. The things that he knows best, and as a result he has made a very fine film indeed. The film has a cult following in America, but is little known in the UK which is a great pity. Nichols himself wrote an interesting essay titled " Night of the Living Beanfield: How an Unsuccessful Cult Novel Became an Unsuccessful Cult Film in Only Fourteen Years, Eleven Nervous Breakdowns and 20 Million Dollars", a title which tells you an awful lot. It is a film that deserves to be better known in this country. Well worth watching.

The DVD arrived very quickly and is in good order - a wonderful film to be viewed many times!

A wonderful film, beautifully shot, with excellent acting. Action, heart-wrenching drama, stunning cinematography - what more could you want? Anyone who loves films should own this.

I loved this when I saw it on TV years ago. It's okay now, but not anything like as good as I remember.

I love the entire film. It is flawless

Liked the whole movie

Parfait très bon film gai , poétique et triste à la fois. Jeux d'acteurs et prises de vue magnifiques ainsi que le montage photo. Bref un film culte.

"Milagro Bean Field War" is a charming, uplifting, heart-warming and funny joy directed by Robert Redford. A conglomerate is planning to build a golf course/resort and houses in a sleepy Southwest town that God seems to have forgotten. A lone bean farmer, fed up, opens the flood gate from the water being syphoned off for the golf extravaganza and allows water into his plot of land and proceeds to plant beans. All hell breaks loose of course and characters include the usual "undercover" bad guy who everyone spots immediately, a woman who owns an auto repair shop, a crusading gringo from up north somewhere who has a weekly local paper, a very old man who sees a ghost who is even older and who believes in all the old magic, a young graduate student who is in town to do research for an Anthro. dissertation, a local sheriff who just wants things to be peaceful, etc. Oh, and a very large pig who plays a pivotal role. So much more to say but i am trying to avoid spoilers. i loved this when it first came out, bought it now and loved it again. Community, good and love win out over the evil outsiders who want to exploit the area for profit and in the end destroy the lives of the locals.

Good one time watch.

I’ve always like the story this film tells. It’s basically about the underdog and a village’s culture, after a few doubts regarding the intimate outcome, actually winning out over the rich land developers and the political influence tied to their wealth.Some very beautiful scenes, great music, tells a story that needed to be told, and it’s a story that the whole family can enjoy. Even better in 4K Blueray.