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Real Dirt on Farmer John, The
Slow Hand Releasing

Real Dirt on Farmer John, The reviews
Critic Score
Metascore: 78 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.3 out of 10
based on 11 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 3 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

MPAA 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)


GENRE(S): Documentary  
DIRECTED BY: Taggart Siegel  
RELEASE DATE: Theatrical: January 20, 2006 
RUNNING TIME: 82 minutes, Color / B/W 
ORIGIN: USA 

Audience Award (Best Documentary Feature), 2005 Slamdance International Film Festival

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.
Read Full Review
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.
Read Full Review
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.
Read Full Review
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.
Read Full Review
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.
Read Full Review
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.
Read Full Review
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.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now!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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