Nearly 500 residents of the agricultural community of Milagro in the mountains of northern New Mexico face a crisis when politicians and business interests make a backroom deal to usurp the town's water in order to pave the way for a land buy-out. Due to the new laws, Joe Mondragon is unable to make a living farming because he is not allowed to divert water from an irrigation ditch that runs past his property.
Frustrated, and unable to find work, Joe visits his father's field. He happens upon a tag that reads "prohibited" covering a valve on the irrigation ditch. He kicks the valve, unintentionally breaking it, allowing water to flood his fields. He decides against repairing the valve and instead decides to plant beans in the field. This leads to a confrontation with powerful state interests, including a hired gun brought in from out of town.
An escalation of events follows, leading to a final showdown between law enforcement and the citizens of Milagro.
1 min 27 sec
Views
7,701
Posted On
September 02, 2012
Robert Reford
Writer
John Nichols David S. Ward
Studio
Universal Pictures
Release
March 18, 1988
Rubén Blades
Richard Bradford
Sônia Braga
Julie Carmen
James Gammon
No Music Available