MovieChat Forums > The Beguiled (1971) Discussion > Why haven't I ever heard of this movie?

Why haven't I ever heard of this movie?

posted 16 years ago by onn1320
10 replies | jump to latest

This was better than "Dirty Harry" or "Play Misty for Me." - But I never even heard of this flick.

I just happen to be channel surfing and spotted his face on Sundance (or was it Independent Film Channel?)

But this was a good movie - Even though I think Clint was stupid to think he could play all 3 women (4 if you include the little girl) - And not end up on the short end of the stick.

"And what was it last time? Didn't know what the box was?" - The Female Cenobite in Hellbound

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] cookiela2001 15 years ago

<< You haven't heard of it because it's probably Clint's best movie --- it's certainly my favorite Eastwood film. >>

He is so incredibly gorgeous in this movie, too....to some of us.

What a dreamboat.

[–] Nikon11 15 years ago

It's definitely a different type of Eastwood movie, as is Play Misty for Me.

It's listed as the same year as Dirty Harry and Misty, and is in the midst of all of his westerns - so maybe it just gets overlooked.

[–] preppy-3 14 years ago

This was the rare Clint Eastwood movie that LOST money. That's why it's ignored.

[–] potpurry7 14 years ago

Perhaps the title..? Or the category of the film.
It's more a psychological piece and many want to see Eastwood with a 44 magnum. Sadly, large audiences don't want to see pensive, unusual story-telling.
That's one of the greatest things about him as an actor/director was in doing these odd creative thrillers and not just being Dirty Harry.
It's great it has reached a cult status through cable.Sometimes that happens with quirky films.

[–] preppy-3 14 years ago

Hmmmmmmm maybe but "Play Misty For Me" didn't have Eastwood with a gun and it was a hit. Of course the ending of "The Beguiled" might have something to do with it still being unknown.

[–] joegod69 13 years ago

i really like this movie, but the trailer was embarrassingly bad. that may have been somewhat responsible for nobody seeing it

[–] vicky_lc2001-1 11 years ago

I also wonder why I never heard of it as well. I've seen some of Eastwood's films but never heard of this. I have to agree with the OP, this is my favorite Eastwood film as well. I only heard of this because I was on a Misery thread where people were recommending horror/thriller/gothic type of films.

Global Warming, it's a personal decision innit? - Nigel Tufnel

[–] hackraytex 9 years ago

Besides Play Misty and Dirty Harry upstaging this movie, the studio advertised it through the trailers as a civil war movie that was showing a lot more action than the movie delivered. It looks like it was one of his first personal projects. It was well acted but I sure did not like the ending. I don't want to sound like I am trashing it because I am not. I found it to be a dark depressing movie like Unforgiven. Both were well acted but I have no desire to see either of them again. I am glad that a lot of people like. I usually pass on them when the appear on my system.

[–] schall1991 9 years ago

I've read that it was initially marketed as another action-type thriller, as opposed to what it really is - a psychological thriller that deeply explore themes of survival, manipulation, desire, and sexual repression. What a shame... I finally watched "The Beguiled" last night and it is currently my favorite classic Eastwood film.