Introduction: The Relevance of ‘The Milagro Beanfield War’
‘The Milagro Beanfield War’ is a film that eerily echoes the conflicts we see unfolding in the US today. As big business and politics encroach on agricultural areas where people rely on necessities like fresh running water to grow their crops, tensions rise. All it takes is one spark for the situation to escalate into a full-blown crisis. In the agricultural town of Milagro, that spark comes when Joe Mondragon kicks open a valve, flooding his field with water from an off-limits irrigation ditch. As he begins planting, things go from bad to worse.
There’s a time when big business and politics need to simply find another place to collude. But for now, let’s dive into some lesser-known facts about this intriguing film.
1. The Fictional Town of Milagro
The town of Milagro is entirely fictional. The author may have chosen not to use an actual town, or the name could have special meaning for the story.
2. A Small Population with a Big Impact
The population of the fictional town is around 426 people. Although it’s listed as 500 at one point, big business and politicians tend to pay more attention when the numbers are in the thousands. The low population makes the story stand out even more.
3. Unusually Long Movie Poster Blurb
The movie posters for ‘The Milagro Beanfield War’ featured a long blurb. This is unusual, as movie poster blurbs are typically quite short.
4. A Change of Filming Location
The director, Robert Redford, had to move the filming location after the original town he’d picked decided they didn’t want the extra attention that a film like this would bring.
5. The Mysterious Missing Soundtrack
The soundtrack for the film was never released, which is odd considering it won an Academy Award for Best Music Score. Pieces of the soundtrack have appeared on other albums, but never as a complete set.
6. A Trilogy of Books
The book on which the movie is based is actually part of a trilogy. There were two other books written around the same subject or in the same voice.
7. The Meaning of ‘Milagro’
‘Milagro’ translates to ‘miracle’ in English. This could have a double meaning in a town that was on the verge of being driven out by big business.
8. John Heard and Daniel Stern’s Frequent Collaborations
Actors John Heard and Daniel Stern have appeared in about five movies together. They were both in ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Home Alone 2,’ although never in the same scene. Including ‘The Milagro Beanfield War,’ that makes at least three films they’ve shared.
9. A Friendly Jab at Paul Newman
There’s an inside joke at Paul Newman’s expense in the film. When a shopper is looking at Newman’s Own salad dressing, the store owner tells her it’s not a good product and to look for something else. This is Redford playfully poking fun at his friend Paul Newman.
10. A Long Journey from Novel to Film
The film was released 14 years after the novel was published. This isn’t too surprising, as it often takes time for a book to get noticed and reach the hands of someone who wants to adapt it into a film.
‘The Milagro Beanfield War’ is a movie that requires a certain level of investment from the viewer, but it’s well worth the effort. Its themes and messages continue to resonate today, making it a timeless classic.
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