By Ray Walton

The Beguiled (1971) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐

While recuperating in a Confederate girls’ boarding school, a Union soldier cons his way into each of the lonely women’s hearts, causing them to turn on each other, and eventually, on him.

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Geraldine Page, Elizabeth Hartman

Watch: AppleTV and Prime Video

Set during the Civil War, this film takes an interesting approach. Its so-called “bad guy” is on the winning side of Civil War, while the women we’re meant to sympathize with (or not, it’s up for debate) are Southern and and uphold the system of slavery. It’s a messy and complicated character exploration.

The story isn’t really about the war itself; it’s about a wounded soldier taking advantage of a group of vulnerable women, with the war only adding to their isolation. Whether or not Clint Eastwood’s character, McBurney, fought for the right side doesn’t change the fact that his actions are deeply questionable.

Geraldine Page’s Miss Martha, the headmistress of the school, makes some choices I disagree with, but it’s also easy to feel for her given what she’s up against. Elizabeth Hartman is also fantastic as Edwina, a woman struggling with repression in a world that gives her no real options. The film never tells us outright whether we should sympathize with these characters, which is exactly what makes them so compelling.

I am always intrigued by a character piece disguised as something else, this being a civil war story.

Ray Walton

Neurodivergent movie lover. Here to share reviews for horror and non horror movies that fall into the “Dark Cinema” category.