Watch The Beguiled

The Beguiled is a 1971 American drama film that was directed by Don Siegel and stars Clint Eastwood, Geraldine Page, and Elizabeth Hartman. The movie is set during the American Civil War and centers around an injured Union soldier named John McBurney (played by Eastwood) who is taken in by a group of sheltered young women at a Southern girls' boarding school.

The movie opens with McBurney, who is badly wounded, stumbling through the woods before collapsing near the boarding school's gate. The school's headmistress, Miss Martha Farnsworth (played by Page), decides to take the soldier in and nurse him back to health. At first, the young women at the school are wary of McBurney, but they soon develop a fascination with him.

The girls range in age from young children to teenagers, and they have all been sheltered from the outside world due to the war. McBurney's arrival brings a sense of excitement and danger to their otherwise mundane lives. Edwina Dabney (played by Hartman), in particular, becomes infatuated with the soldier and begins to develop feelings for him.

As McBurney begins to recover, he starts to take advantage of the young women's affection for him. He flirts with them and uses his charm to manipulate them into doing what he wants. He also forms a sexual relationship with one of the older girls, but this leads to jealousy and resentment among the other women.

As tensions rise, the girls begin to compete for McBurney's affections. They become increasingly possessive of him, and their behaviors become more and more erratic. The situation begins to spiral out of control, leading to a shocking and tragic conclusion.

The Beguiled is a haunting and suspenseful film that explores themes of sexuality, jealousy, and power. The movie's setting and costumes help to create a sense of nostalgia and romanticism, but the story takes a dark turn as the characters' motivations are revealed.

The performances in the movie are excellent, with Eastwood delivering a nuanced portrayal of a man who is both charming and dangerous. Page, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the film, gives a powerful performance as the headmistress who becomes increasingly conflicted as the situation at the school deteriorates. Hartman is also impressive as the innocent Edwina, who is caught up in the events that unfold.

Overall, The Beguiled is a captivating and thought-provoking film that delves into the complexities of human relationships. It is a reminder that even in the most innocent of settings, darkness can lurk beneath the surface.

The Beguiled is a 1971 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 66.