The Beguiled (2017)

The unexpected arrival of a wounded Union soldier at a girls school in Virginia during the American Civil War leads to jealousy and betrayal.

Director:

Sofia Coppola

Writers:

Thomas Cullinan (based on the novel by), Albert Maltz (based on the screenplay by)

Stars:

Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning

4 wins & 23 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Colin Farrell	...	Corporal McBurney
Nicole Kidman	...	Miss Martha
Kirsten Dunst	...	Edwina
Elle Fanning	...	Alicia
Oona Laurence	...	Amy
Angourie Rice	...	Jane
Addison Riecke	...	Marie
Emma Howard	...	Emily
Wayne Pére	...	Captain (as Wayne Pere)
Matt Story	...	Confederate Soldier
Joel Albin	...	Cavalry Man

Storyline

Three years into the American Civil War, in 1864, the dilapidated mansion of Miss Martha Farnsworth's Seminary for Young Ladies is still running, occupied by the matriarch, a teacher and five students in Spanish moss-draped Virginia. However, when a young student stumbles upon Corporal John McBurney, a wounded Union deserter on the verge of death, the already frail balance of things will be disrupted, as the hesitant headmistress decides to take him in to heal from his injury. Little by little, as the unwelcome guest arouses an uneasy sexual excitation among the women of the secluded boarding school, it is not before long that they will find themselves competing for the alluring man's favour. Undoubtedly, this handsome devil is a manipulator, nevertheless, will the ladies stay forever beguiled by his charm?

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Plot Keywords:

amputee | wounded soldier | union soldier | seduction | american civil war | 

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Taglines:

Innocent, until betrayed.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Site - Focus Features

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

30 June 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

El seductor

Filming Locations:

Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$229,292, 25 June 2017, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$10,576,669

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$15,871,398, 13 August 2017

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Zoetrope, FR Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

For the costumes, designer Stacey Battat saw Kirsten Dunst's character as being romantic and designed her wardrobe with decorated billowy sleeves, diaphanous skirts and more jewelry than the other girls. She gave Nicole Kidman's character a high neckline, a vest and an overall economical tone in order to portray authority and added ruffles to the costumes of Elle Fanning's character, which according to Battat, "really accentuates her horniness."

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Goofs

Twice, both times during dinner, Miss Martha makes the Sign of the Cross incorrectly - she crosses from her right shoulder to her left shoulder instead of vice verse.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Amy: [finding some mushrooms] Here you go.
John McBurney: [sitting wounded by a tree] Shh. Are you frightened?
Amy: No. Yes.
John McBurney: Uh, so am I.
Amy: Can you move at all?
John McBurney: Uh... Uh, I'll try, if there's some place to go.

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Connections

Referenced in The Beguiled: A Southern Style (2017)

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Soundtracks

Concerto in B Minor (Op. 35)
Written by Oskar Rieding

User Reviews

Now I really appreciate the original film

I have some lovely scenic videos on my camera, does that mean I can win Best Director at Cannes also? All seeing this film did was remind me of how much I enjoyed the trashy, tawdry original movie, which didn't even have to try half as hard as this one needed to to achieve atmosphere, characterization, and coherence.

Sofia took a simple story of love-starved ladies and adolescent girls alone with a handsome scoundrel who uses and abuses them until they turn the tables on him, and won an award for changing it into a confusing, dull, illogical mess of a movie with some pretty scenic views scattered here and there. Apparently this story was supposed to be told from the women's point of view, but there was no point at all.

There is also no point in viewing this film, so stick with the original.