The Beguiled
Offbeat Civil War drama in which a wounded Yankee soldier, after finding refuge in an isolated girls' school in the South towards the end of the war, becomes the object of the young women's sexual fantasies. The soldier manipulates the situation for his own gratification, but when he refuses to completely comply with the girls' wishes, they make it very difficult for him to leave.
Critics Sentiment
Amy picks poisonous mushrooms that Martha serves to John
John accidentally kills Amy's pet turtle Randolph in anger
John's sympathetic character arc collapses when he accidentally kills Amy's turtle, dropping from threatening but understandable rage to complete loss of audience sympathy
Critics praised The Beguiled as a masterful psychological thriller that builds sexual tension and Gothic atmosphere to a shocking climax. While some found the middle section slower when John becomes less sympathetic, the film's commitment to its dark vision and exceptional performances earned widespread critical acclaim. The poisonous mushroom dinner sequence was universally hailed as a brilliantly disturbing finale to this unusual Civil War drama.
Full cast
Clint Eastwood
John McBurney
Geraldine Page
Martha
Elizabeth Hartman
Edwina
Jo Ann Harris
Carol
Darleen Carr
Doris
Mae Mercer
Hallie
Pamelyn Ferdin
Amy
Melody Thomas Scott
Abigail
Peggy Drier
Lizzie
Patricia Mattick
Janie
Charlie Briggs
1st Confederate Captain
George Dunn
Sam Jefferson
Charles G. Martin
2nd Confederate Captain
Matt Clark
Scrogins
Patrick Culliton
Miles Farnswoth
Buddy Van Horn
Soldier
Victor Izay
Wagon Driver (uncredited)
Jim Malinda
Wade (uncredited)
Bill Lee
Singer (uncredited)
Crew
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