The Milagro Beanfield War Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

The Milagro Beanfield War Blu-ray Movie Review

A first-rate gem by director Robert Redford.

The Milagro Beanfield War is a beautifully charming drama that explores the fictional town of Milagro and a fight between local farmers and corporate entities. Based on the novel by John Nichols, the film features stunning outdoor vistas and was filmed on-site in New Mexico. Executive produced by Gary Hendler (Blind Date), The Milagro Beanfield War is a must-see cinematic gem featuring an amazing ensemble cast including Chick Vennera, Christopher Walken, Ruben Blades, Sonia Braga, Melanie Griffith, John Heard, and Daniel Stern. A must-see masterpiece.

Joe Mondragon (Chick Vennera) is simply trying to live his life day-to-day as a humble farmer. When Joe accidentally breaks a water valve that unleashes a terrain of water in to his fields, he uses it as an opportunity to grow beans. The water pipes were designed for use for corporate entities in the town who are against the common people using the water lines – and an all-out war over access to these water valves is let loose after the “beanfield war” begins. The dastardly Kyril Montana (Christopher Walken) is enlisted by the local authorities to help stop the community from taking advantage of the water access. Will the farmers or the corporations win the fight?

The performances in the film are one of the highlights of the experience. Chick Vennera is especially impressive in the lead role. As a local farmer, the quiet life of the character is a compelling backdrop against the corporate driven green explored in the story. The fight for water is one which is explored well through his impressively slick performance. The efforts are undeniably compelling as Vennera explores the depths of his character. Christopher Walken is similarly impressive, delivering another standout performance that any fan of the actor should consider essential. The suave charisma of the actor is always apparent even as he portrays one of the villains in the story. The entire cast provide impressive portrayals of their respective characters and the ensemble make the story more lively.

The art direction by Brandy Alexander (Thirtysomething), Joe Aubel (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home), and Pamela Marcotte (Point Break) is another commendable and exciting aspect to the production. The outdoor landscapes and scenic production- vistas are well designed and given breathtaking life. The authenticity of the story is enriched by the manner in which the art design is explored. A bravado effort.

A fight for humanity.

The cinematography by Robbie Greenberg (Fools Rush In, Snow Day) is one of the best elements of the filmmaking. The Milagro Beanfield War is a gorgeous looking cinematic confection which has a stunning outdoor landscape that is beautifully brought to life by Greenberg. The entire film has a truly organic visual aesthetic which makes the storyline more effective. The color-timing by Greenberg gives the film a beautiful backdrop that often reminds one of paintings. These visual qualities help to give the film a timeless quality.

The music score composed by Dave Grusin (The Fabulous Baker Boys, Hope Floats) is outstanding. The score gives heart and humanity to the entire production. The sweeping music backdrop delivers exciting rhythm to the beanfield war and to the characters journeys. Grusin crafted one of their best scores with this gem. The music enlivens the entire experience and pulls one in to the sweeping cinematic vistas.

Another production component that impresses is the costumes designed by Bernie Pollack (Rain Man, Sneakers). There is a sense of authenticity to these costume designs. The local townspeople (of about 500 folk) are believable as part of a small, rural community. The corporate-interest characters are similarly slick, well-dressed, and believably portrayed through the costumes. The contrast in the costume designs reflects the conflict of the story – the battle between the rich and poor.

Directed by Robert Redford (A River Runs Through It, Ordinary People), The Milagro Beanfield War is a timeless masterpiece. The film is charming and entertaining. The pace consistently impresses and there aren't any wasted frames. The screenplay by original novelist John Nichols and David S. Ward (Sleepless in Seattle, The Sting) explores societal elements that are just as provocative today as when the film was first produced. The characters are believable and well-written. The Milagro Beanfield War is an essential film by the great actor-turned-director, Redford. Don't miss it.

The Milagro Beanfield War Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, The Milagro Beanfield War is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 widescreen. The film features stunning cinematography which is a beautiful sight to behold. Unfortunately, the print is inconsistent. The dated master looks a little disappointing and the film could have used a fresh new scan or 4K restoration. Color reproduction is not as robust as expected and the print looks a bit faded. The scan leaves one wanting more. A modest high-definition upgrade.

The Milagro Beanfield War Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Blu-ray release features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 soundtrack. The music score sounds lively and altogether beautiful throughout the entire presentation. The audio track fares significantly better in comparison to the average video-transfer of the film. Dialogue is crisp, clear, and easy to understand. There were many moments where the music pulled at the heartstrings and the precise encoding managed to make the experience all the more engaging. A worthwhile audio presentation.

Please Note: Optional English subtitles are provided.

The Milagro Beanfield War Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Star Chick Vennera and Film Historian/Filmmaker Daniel Kremer

The Milagro Beanfield War Theatrical Trailer (SD, 1:23)

The release also includes trailers for other releases available from distributor Kino Lorber: Havana (SD, 5:23) and Highway Patrolman (HD, 1:08).

The Milagro Beanfield War Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Milagro Beanfield War is a masterpiece. The filmmaking is tense, exciting, and entertaining. The performances are stellar across the board. The story does a great job exploring the battle between the local community of farmers and the ruthless corporate entities. Directed by Robert Redford, the gem feels essential on every level. The Blu-ray release is a bit inconsistent though – featuring an average video presentation. However, The Milagro Beanfield War is outstanding on its own merits and is well worth seeing. Recommended.