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:

Sofia Coppola (screenplay by), Thomas Cullinan (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning

5 wins & 29 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:

wounded soldier | union soldier | american civil war | amputee | sexual tension | 

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Taglines:

Innocent, until betrayed.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Colin Farrell's third remake, following Fright Night (2011) and Total Recall (2012). Two years later, he added a fourth, Dumbo (2019).

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Goofs

When Miss Martha walks down the steps to answer the door, she is initially seen holding a revolver in her left hand. Then suddenly before she gets to the door, the revolver is in her right hand.

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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

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

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Coppola beguiles once again

To Beguile: "to lead by deception"; "to engage the interest of by or as if by guile"; "to deprive (someone) of something by guile or deceit".

While conjecturing a position and a review for this film I realised that he Beguiled is more than a moniker for its characters: it is one for the film itself. You will find yourself simultaneously marveled by the ravishing cinematography and production design, seduced by its contained and bewildering performances and puzzled by its apparent dull and stale pacing. True to form, Coppola once again deceits the viewers into believing they've watched something rather stale and uneventful, when in fact the unsaid and the hinted upon is more powerful, substantial and engaging than you were aware.

A circumspect approach to a contained setting and a suggestion to a wider reality, for both the historic background and for the characters themselves, the Beguiled urges the viewer not to immediately praise or dismiss it, but rather to delve on it(s) subject matter(s), digest them and talk about them. That is why once again Coppola proves herself to be a singular auteur.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Site - Focus Features

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

30 June 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Beguiled

Filming Locations:

Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$229,292, 25 June 2017

Gross USA:

$10,709,995

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$27,869,129

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Zoetrope, FR Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1