The Beguiled (1971)
C. – 105m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Dir.: Don Siegel
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Geraldine Page, Elizabeth Hartman and others.
While imprisoned in in a Confederate girls’ boarding school, an injured Union soldier works his way into all their hearts only to have them turn on him. The question is: Who is conning whom?
This is the classic and dark version of the story that everyone has come to know since 1971. Eastwood and the women are in great form here. More than anything else, this plays as a drama with a sexual edge (which in a couple of ways is a bit creepy in and of itself) up until the final twenty minutes. Then it is out and out thriller. While very little happens in terms of location changes, there is an array of verbal and non-verbal communication to read from some masterful performances by the actors. See if you can figure out who is conning whom before the film tells you outright. Part of what makes this film great is the sense of mystery behind the cons. Clearly the film favors the man’s prospective. A must watch!
Rated: [R] – Perverse Sexual Content Including Nudity, Some Violence, Adult Drinking & Frightening And Intense Images.
Available on DVD, Blu–ray & Digital Copy.
The Beguiled (2017)
C. – 93 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 – Widescreen
Dir. / Screenwriter: Sophia Coppola
Starring: Colin Farrell Nicole Kidman, Kristen Dunst & Elle Fanning.
An unexpected arrival of a wounded Union soldier at a girls’ school in Virginia during the American Civil War leads to jealousy and betrayal. Sophia Coppola is back in the saddle with this feminist version of the classic Clint Eastwood starring film. The film is toned down and frankly lacks the mystery that made the original so haunting. Given the omission of that aspect of the story makes this less riveting and more an interesting character study. The feminist approach to the story that originally favored the man’s perspective makes this worth watching. It is different enough to make it more of a companion film than a remake. It should also be noted that this was beautifully filmed on film and then finished in 4K digital with a wonderful visual outcome. Extra credit for Coppola for adding film noire – ish lighting effects! A pop classic here!
Rated: [R] – Some Sexuality - Note: There is also violence and language that was not mentioned as reasons for the rating.
Available on DVD, Blu–ray & Digital Copy.