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

4 wins & 24 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

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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:

The Beguiled

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

Colin Farrell and Clint Eastwood, who played John McBurney in the first adaptation, share a birthday. Both were born on May 31st.

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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 The Beguiled: A Southern Style (2017)

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Soundtracks

Aura Lea
Music by George R. Poulton
Lyrics by W.W. Fosdick (as William Whiteman Fosdick)

User Reviews

Only movie patron's beguiled here

Don't waste your time or money. Sofia Coppola was a terrible actress (Godfather III - LOL) and now we can say she is a terrible Director as well. She obviously did not inherit any of her father's artistic talents. Zero. The only beguiling happening with regard to this movie occurred when watching the trailer. I was tricked. The trailer is deceptive and in it's 2 minutes and 33 seconds it out entertained the entire 94 minutes of the actual movie.

40 minutes into this disaster I was wondering if a plot would materialize, it didn't. I then began wondering if this was a build up to a chaotic second half (sort of like The Hateful Eight) but it never happened. As a matter of fact, I was so shocked at the last five minutes that when the final fade occurred and the credits began to roll, I actually burst out laughing.

American Zoetrope should be taken to task for releasing this garbage and I certainly will not see another movie that has anything to do with Sofia Coppola. If I had to leave on a positive note I would say they spared us be only making it 94 minutes long.