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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Real Dirt on Farmer John, The

EMAILPRINTSlow Hand Releasing

Real Dirt on Farmer John, The reviews
78
9.3 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 11 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 3 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Documentary

Written by:

Directed by: Taggart Siegel

Release Date:
Theatrical: January 20, 2006

Running Time: 82 minutes, Color / B/W

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: Not Rated

The epic tale of a maverick Midwestern farmer. An outcast in his community, Farmer John transforms his world amidst a failing economy,vicious rumors, and violence. By melding the traditions of family farming with the power of art and free expression,this quintessentially American story heralds a resurrection of farming in America. (Slow Hand Releasing)

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Portland Oregonian Shawn Levy

We've seen documentaries with more daring themes, greater drama, sharper craft and timelier subject matter. But few have been as affecting as The Real Dirt on Farmer John.

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88

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

This is a loving, moving, inspiring, quirky documentary that was made while the lives it records were being lived.

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80

Village Voice Julia Wallace

At times, the film plays like an extended infomercial for John's new company, Angelic Organics, but the agrarian fantasy is so compelling here that the revitalization of the American family farm begins to seem not just possible, but probable.

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80

The New York Times Jeannette Catsoulis

Offers one man's extraordinary life as a gateway to a larger history of tragedy and transition. It's an unflinching account of what farming takes -- and, more important, what it gives back.

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80

LA Weekly Ella Taylor

It’s fascinating that this portrait of the rise, fall and rise of Midwestern organic farmer John Peterson can be read in so many different ways, only some of which appear intentionally in Taggart Siegel’s sympathetic documentary about his friend and fellow artist.

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80

Los Angeles Times Kevin Crust

Though its title suggests an exposé on Dodger Dogs, the movie is the moving, inspirational account of John Peterson's discovery of an almost divine calling in the land beneath his feet.

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75

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

Despite the movie's intimate nature, Siegel deftly broadens his view to observe the culture and conditions of contemporary American farming. Don't be surprised if, by the finish, you wind up fantasizing about your own rural homestead.

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75

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

In many ways, it's a painful story, but it's also full of curious triumphs and outlandish redemptions.

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75

San Francisco Chronicle Walter Addiego

A loose, amiable documentary tracking several decades in the life of this most unusual farmer.

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70

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

A beguiling combination of agrarian ode and “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test,” deepened by Peterson's square sincerity as he struggles to find himself in relation to his family's land.

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70

Variety Scott Foundas

Examines 50-odd years in the life of its eponymous subject -- a most compelling character -- and in doing so literally provides the viewer with food for thought.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Steve L. gave it a10:
The film reflects the struggles of American family farmers over the last fifty years and, more importantly, the universal Hero’s Journey through life, death and rebirth.

Sandy gave it an8:
An extremely interesting documentary. Well done,well paced And if you enjoy documentaries,see this!!

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