The Beguiled
Seen it?1971 | 105 min | Thriller, History, Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (90% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and history buffs. If you loved Glory or 12 Years a Slave, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 45 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect sex.
- Made in 1971: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$1 million worldwide on a $475K budget; interest faded quickly after launch
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 137K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Glory
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed military historical drama.
Free State of Jones
Weeknight WatchAnother war historical drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
The Devil All the Time
Sunday Safe BetAnother war drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
12 Years a Slave Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed historical drama.
The Secrets We Keep Weeknight WatchAnother war historical drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Don Siegel
- Clint EastwoodJohn McBurney
- Geraldine PageMartha
- Elizabeth HartmanEdwina
- Jo Ann HarrisCarol
- Darleen CarrDoris
- Mae MercerHallie
- Pamelyn FerdinAmy
- Melody Thomas ScottAbigail
- Peggy DrierLizzie
- Patricia MattickJanie