Startling mix of sexual, racial and political tensions

In the space of just one year, 1971, Eastwood made Play Misty For Me, The Beguiled and Dirty Harry, directing the first and working with long-time collaborator and friend Don Siegel on the other two. His choices within this narrow time period say much about his intelligence and willingness to go beyond what was expected even then from his apparent public persona. Two are resolutely commercial thrillers but with a quality that renders them something much greater; one is a psychological, almost magical drama. All three share an intensity, power and atmosphere driven in large part by the particularity of their location – coast, forest, city.

Of the trio, The Beguiled is the most startling.

Read my review at http://chrismrogers.net/#/blog-from-sept-2011/4555515884



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