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:

His love... or his life...

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller | War

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer and Director Don Siegel says in his biography that he forbade the use of make-up by the actresses on the set. But some of them trespassed the order and put on some mascara, lipstick, and nail polish. That of course made Siegel angry.

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Goofs

In the opening scene (c. 3 minutes) the little girl doesn't actually pick the mushrooms, she just gathers up previously picked (and very clean) fungi by their cups. To pick a mushroom in the wild one must grasp it at the bottom of the stem or use a knife. Picking a mushroom by grasping the cup would break it in two.

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Quotes

Amy: I picked the mushrooms.
Cpl. John McBurney: Mmm. And are they good, Amy. They taste of the woods and the clean air and mysterious shadows where pretty little elves dance together.
Martha Farnsworth: How a romantic way to speak of mushrooms.

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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

Featured in ITV News at Ten: Episode dated 30 June 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