MovieChat Forums > The Beguiled (2017) Discussion > So was it revenge or not?

So was it revenge or not?


Please only go based on this version and not the older one. Did Kidman’s character cut his leg out of spite? I didnt get that from her at all. Also, what game was the soldier playing at? What was his true intentions? Did he really care for Miss Morrow or was he just playing all of them for free room and board and to avoid the war?

reply

well going by this version there's no reason to believe it was out of spite, if that was sofía's intention she failed miserably at conveying it, as usual. He was just playing them all along for shelter and to escape the war. In the 71 version there is more interaction between John and Edwina so it is more believable that he wants to be with her.

reply

I Don't think it was out of spite, according to what the movie showed us at least.

It seemed to me he was playing with Kidman for Shelter but seemed to care for Dunst even if he could not resist to the Young and hot Elle Fanning.

reply

I think he saw Fanning as his play thing and beside that didn't care a jot for her. I agree that he was just smoothing over Kidman as she was the boss of the household, I'm sure if he was given a chance he probably would have slept with her. With Dunst character, I'm on the fence if he really cares for her. I think she's the only one that really loves him. Fanning only interested in him as she's young and horny and Kidman doesn't seem interested and is only flattered by his kind words. I think Dunst would have probably left with Farrell's character or given up the other's up if she knew of the plan to poison Farrell's character. I think once he loses the leg and she clearly shows she cares for him is probably then he probably shows his true feeling for her imo

reply

I agree with most of that but I do think Kidman was interested in him.

I thought earlier in the film he might be totally sincere or he might be manipulating them. But he blew it on either account by not going to Dunst’s room. That was his best move in every respect. And then after he woke up with the amputation, he really burned his bridges and sealed his fate.

reply

McBurney was having the best of both worlds, he got free room and board. He also thought he could have his way with Kidman, Fanning's and Dunst characters. I doubt he cared for any of them but knew he had to keep them onside to not have them give him up to the enemy. I think Miss Martha was probably attracted to him and his attention, but I got she was the least interested in him. I think Edwina was clearly heads over heels in love with him, and I think that's why McBurney zoned in on her. I think with Alicia, she was horny young lady and probably would have put out easily for him compared to Edwina. I think Alicia for McBurney was just sexual object for him. I think he somewhat cared for Edwina but I do think he was making sure they wouldn't have given him up.

I think more in the 71 version, it comes off that she meant it out of spite. But in this version, I think she did it to save his life

reply