In Milagro, a small town in the American Southwest, Ladd Devine plans to build a major new resort development. While activist Ruby Archuleta and lawyer/newspaper editor Charlie Bloom realize that this will result in the eventual displacement of the local Hispanic farmers, they cannot arouse much opposition because of the short term opportunities offered by construction jobs. But when Joe Mondragon illegally diverts water to irrigate his bean field,...

Buddy Ebsen and Ron Howard star in this contemporary western which explores the complex themes of the individual and governmental rights and responsibilities, and the conflicts that can occur when the two are in opposition. Ebsen plays John Vogelin, an old ranch owner in Arizona, set in his ways and determined to live out his life on his own land, warding off government interference. Ron Howard plays Lee Mackie, returned to the land of his youth,...