The Beguiled (1971)

While imprisoned in a Confederate girls' boarding school, an injured Union soldier cons his way into each of the lonely women's hearts, causing them to turn on each other, and eventually, on him.

Director:

Don Siegel (as Donald Siegel)

Writers:

Albert Maltz (screenplay) (as John B. Sherry), Irene Kamp (screenplay) (as Grimes Grice)

Stars:

Clint Eastwood, Geraldine Page, Elizabeth Hartman

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Clint Eastwood	...	John McBurney
Geraldine Page	...	Martha
Elizabeth Hartman	...	Edwina
Jo Ann Harris	...	Carol
Darleen Carr	...	Doris
Mae Mercer	...	Hallie
Pamelyn Ferdin	...	Amy
Melody Thomas Scott	...	Abigail (as Melody Thomas)
Peggy Drier	...	Lizzie
Patricia Mattick	...	Janie (as Pattye Mattick)
Charlie Briggs	...	1st Confederate Captain (as Charles Briggs)
George Dunn	...	Sam Jefferson
Charles G. Martin	...	2nd Confederate Captain (as Charles Martin)
Matt Clark	...	Scrogins
Patrick Culliton	...	Miles Farnswoth

Storyline

As the costly American Civil War still rages on, a twelve-year-old student of the forgotten Miss Martha Farnsworth's Seminary for Young Ladies in warm and humid Mississippi stumbles upon a gravely wounded Union soldier, Corporal John McBurney (Clint Eastwood). Taken in to recover from his injuries, McBurney is imprisoned in a small room inside the mansion. However, before long, the seductive and unwanted guest will manage to take advantage of the female inhabitants' wartime-subdued desires. But is McBurney really in control over the situation?

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Plot Keywords:

leg amputation | american civil war | southern gothic | union soldier | confederate | 

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Taglines:

One man...seven women...in a strange house!

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller | War

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Clint Eastwood's amputated leg is the same artificial limb used in the opening credits of The Six Million Dollar Man (1974).

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Goofs

When Carol leaves the house to find McB, she posts him in the gazebo playing cards. He is laying out the cards with his right hand, but when the camera angle changes to show Carol arrive, he is laying out the cards with his left hand.

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Quotes

Cpl. John McBurney: How long does it take you, ma'am, to get to know someone? To get to know me?
Martha Farnsworth: You'll never find out. You won't be here that long.

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Alternate Versions

The leg amputation scene was edited by the censors for the film's original UK cinema release. Later releases were uncut and rated 15.

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Connections

Referenced in Good Morning Britain: Episode dated 20 April 2017 (2017)

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Soundtracks

Dove She is a Pretty Bird
(uncredited)
Traditional
Performed by Clint Eastwood

User Reviews

One of Eastwood's very few "horror" flicks....

.....and it's a good one, too. In fact, this may be one of the best studies of sexual repression ever made. It's extremely well-acted and has some downright chilling moments. An often overlooked film in Clint Eastwood's filmography, and atypical of him, to be sure, but if you're willing to accept him in such an ambiguous role, it's certainly very gripping. (***)

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

23 January 1971 (Italy)

Also Known As:

The Beguiled

Filming Locations:

Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,100,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,113,069

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Malpaso Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1