The Beguiled (1971)
The film, The Beguiled (1971), directed by Don Siegel and starring Clint Eastwood, is a Southern Gothic psychological thriller set during the American Civil War. In rural Mississippi, young Amy discovers a gravely injured Union soldier named John McBurney. Despite initial plans to turn him over to Confederate soldiers, headmistress Martha Farnsworth decides to nurse him back to health within the gated enclosure of her all-girls school. John is confined to the music room and closely monitored. However, he catches the eye of Edwina, an inexperienced teacher, and Carol, a confident student who makes advances towards him.
As John forms connections with each woman in the house, including slave Hallie, the previously suffocating atmosphere at the school transforms into one of jealousy and deceit. The women turn against one another as John’s charms work on them individually. Even Carol, who had earlier shown interest in John, becomes resentful after witnessing him kiss Edwina in the garden. In a panicked attempt to expose John as a Yankee soldier, she ties a blue rag to the school’s entrance gate, signaling to passing Confederate troops. However, Martha intervenes and helps John masquerade as a loyal Confederate relative. In addition to being smitten with him, Martha also sees potential in keeping John around as a handyman for the school.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
| Cast: |
Clint Eastwood
Geraldine Page
Elizabeth Hartman
Jo Ann HarrisThe film, The Beguiled (1971), directed by Don Siegel and starring Clint Eastwood, is a Southern Gothic psychological thriller set during the American Civil War. In rural Mississippi, young Amy discovers a gravely injured Union soldier named John McBurney. Despite initial plans to turn him over to Confederate soldiers, headmistress Martha Farnsworth decides to nurse him back to health within the gated enclosure of her all-girls school. John is confined to the music room and closely monitored. However, he catches the eye of Edwina, an inexperienced teacher, and Carol, a confident student who makes advances towards him.
As John forms connections with each woman in the house, including slave Hallie, the previously suffocating atmosphere at the school transforms into one of jealousy and deceit. The women turn against one another as John’s charms work on them individually. Even Carol, who had earlier shown interest in John, becomes resentful after witnessing him kiss Edwina in the garden. In a panicked attempt to expose John as a Yankee soldier, she ties a blue rag to the school’s entrance gate, signaling to passing Confederate troops. However, Martha intervenes and helps John masquerade as a loyal Confederate relative. In addition to being smitten with him, Martha also sees potential in keeping John around as a handyman for the school.
