Beguiled, The

 

Year of release

1971

Directed by

Don Siegel

Written by

Albert Maltz (script)

Irene Kamp (script)

Thomas Cullinan (novel)

Starring

Clint Eastwood

Geraldine Page

Elizabeth Hartman

Jo Ann Harris

Pamelyn Ferdin

The Beguiled

    

 

Plot – Corporal John McBurney (Eastwood) is a Union soldier in the American Civil War. Severely wounded in battle he is found dying in the forest by a young 12 year old girl called Amy (Ferdin) who takes him back to the school for girls where she lives. Run by the headmistress (Page) with one teacher (Hartman) and a small group of pupils it is a little ocean of peace amongst the war, at least until McBurney arrives. Soon all of the school's women, from the incestuous headmistress to 12 year old Amy, are projecting their fantasies upon him and throwing themselves at him. He responds in a callous, manipulative manner resulting in jealousy and resentment to run rife and put him in great danger.

Another effort from the combo of Don Siegel and Clint Eastwood, and another winner! Though this certainly stands out as being quite different from their other films together; it's really downright strange! In fact with its storyline you feel it could easily delve off into an erotic flick/porno at any moment! And it is a very aptly named film as it is certainly a beguiling experience; very hypnotic and immersive.

I have to ask, is Don Siegel the greatest director of all time? Well no, probably not. But he is damn good! This is the sixth film of his I've seen now and I've not been disappointed yet. And again he has left me incredibly impressed with his directorial style. Here, in conjunction with ace cinematographer Bruce Surtees, he has just imbued this film with an incredible amount of atmosphere. It's just so creepy and gothic, tremendously unsettling. Though it's style is definitely quite different to what I've seen for him previously. It often feels rather arthouse in terms of its odd tricks and techniques. There are examples of the character's interior thoughts being spoken in voiceover, flashbacks which contradict what characters are saying and some very bizarre and surreal fantasies/dream sequences. It all helps to create a haunting, expressionistic experience.

Film trivia – While they eventually went with the same title as Thomas Cullinan's source novel, Universal Pictures had considered other titles including “On One I Walked” and the tremendous “Pussy-footing Down at the Old Plantation”.

 

The performances across the board are fantastic. Along with Tightrope and Unforgiven I'd place this amongst Eastwood's 'best' performances. He plays into his macho image while also delving in to the character's seedy and manipulative side. Conniving and lustful it's a character that is easy to hate. Alongside him all of the actresses are successful in each creating a distinctive character despite all having the same goal. Geraldine Page is just magnificent as the school's headmistress; sexually repressed and haunted by memories of an incestuous relationship with her brother she is a powerful, occasionally terrifying presence with nerves of steel. Elizabeth Hartman plays Edwina with a real naïve delicacy and lovelorn quality, and is by far the closest we get here to a 'nice' person. Jo Ann Harris is insanely sexy and alluring as the 17 year old hussy Carol. And while Page's showing is the best, when you take into account her age (just 11) perhaps the most impressive is Pamelyn Ferdin as young Amy.

As I noted recently (in my review for The Gauntlet) I've found it interesting and refreshing to see the risks that Clint Eastwood took throughout his career when it came to the roles he chose. And here again he has shyed away from playing a nice guy, in fact this is probably the darkest and most f**ked up of his characters that I've experienced so far. He's also not the brightest! Trying to juggle the admiration of four women at one time is never going to be the easiest of tasks; but when they're all living under one roof? What were you thinking Clint?!!!

Film trivia – Over a long and successful career Don Siegel directed 36 films, including such highly acclaimed and popular films as Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Dirty Harry and Escape from Alcatraz. Siegel however chose this film as his favourite from his own body of work.

 

The pacing of the film is fantastic; the tension, horror and sense of foreboding just constantly escalating right up until the film's ultimate moment of horror as a terrifically grisly scene sees having his leg amputated. Though I have to admit that the melodrama can get a little bit ripe towards its conclusion, with perhaps a twist too many and one attitude change in a character that just didn't really ring true for me.

It all feels very much like an influential precursor to some of Clint's own dalliances into sexual obsession and deviancy – Play Misty for Me and Tightrope. Though while they relied more on tension and thrills this one gets into much more sinister, disturbing territory including incest and Clint kissing a 12 year old girl!

Conclusion – A deliciously devilish and gothic treat. Overflowing with sexual tension this is a sultry and fascinating film, directed with great flair by Siegel and featuring a series of standout performances. It really is compelling viewing. Highly recommended stuff.