When most people picture Arnold Schwarzenegger, they imagine the Terminator, a bodybuilder built of steel, or an action hero who never flinches. But the man who once ruled Hollywood's toughest roles has a soft spot for an unlikely film, and it happens to be set right here in Iowa.
The 1989 classic Field of Dreams, starring Kevin Costner as Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella, famously moved Schwarzenegger to tears. He admitted as much himself, telling filmmakers he watched it twice and couldn't stop crying both times.
What is 'Field of Dreams' about?
Based on W.P. Kinsella's 1982 novel Shoeless Joe, the movie follows Kinsella, a corn farmer who hears a mysterious voice whisper, “If you build it, he will come.” Instead of questioning his sanity, he plows under part of his crop and builds a baseball diamond in the middle of his Iowa cornfield.
What follows is a story that blends baseball, family, and redemption. Ghosts of legendary players, including Shoeless Joe Jackson, begin appearing on the field. But the real emotional core comes when Kinsella is forced to confront his strained relationship with his late father, a moment that has left countless viewers reaching for tissues.
Why did the movie make Schwarzenegger cry?
Producer Lawrence Gordon later revealed that Schwarzenegger personally called to gush about the film's impact. “Arnold Schwarzenegger called to tell us that he couldn't stop crying,” Gordon recalled. “Ron Darling, who pitches for the Mets, told me it was the only time he had cried in a film.”
Darling was so moved by the experience that he went out and pitched a shutout the next day, proving the movie's power extends far beyond the screen.
How successful was 'Field of Dreams' at the box office?
The film was both a critical and commercial triumph. Made on a modest budget of around $15 million, it grossed more than $84 million worldwide. It earned three Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score.
In 2017, the Library of Congress selected Field of Dreams for preservation in the United States National Film Registry, cementing its legacy as an American cultural treasure.
How did Iowa embrace the film?
Iowa leaders were quick to see the movie's potential for the state. Then-Governor Terry Branstad reportedly hoped to use the film's famous line, “Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa,” in a tourism campaign. The actual farmland near Dyersville where the movie was shot has become a destination in its own right, drawing baseball fans and movie buffs from across the country.
Decades later, the field remains a pilgrimage site, and the film's themes of family, faith, and second chances continue to resonate with audiences of all ages.
Why does 'Field of Dreams' still matter to Iowans?
For Iowans, Field of Dreams is more than just a movie. It's a story that celebrates the values of hard work, family, and community that define the state. It's a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful things in life require a leap of faith.
And if it can make the Terminator cry, it's safe to say it has a power that transcends Hollywood.
Plenty of films can make audiences laugh or jump out of their seats, but it takes something truly special to move a man like Arnold Schwarzenegger to tears. Field of Dreams did exactly that, and it did it in the heart of Iowa.