The Milagro Beanfield War is a 1988 American comedy-drama film directed by Robert Redford from a screenplay written by John Nichols and David S. Ward based on Nichols’ novel of the same name. The ensemble cast includes Ruben Blades, Richard Bradford, Sônia Braga, Julie Carmen, James Gammon, Melanie Griffith, John Heard, Carlos Riquelme, Daniel Stern, Chick Vennera, and Christopher Walken. Filmed on location in Truchas, New Mexico, the film is set in the fictional rural town of Milagro, with a population of 426, a predominantly Hispanic and Catholic town with a largely inter-related population.
The film tells of one man’s struggle as he defends his small beanfield and his community against much larger business and state political interests. The New Mexico Film & TV Hall of Fame is celebrating the 30th anniversary of this important New Mexico film by honoring the film itself, along with NM-based director Robert Redford, NM-based author John Nichols, and Oscar-winning composer and NM resident Dave Grusin.