Blu-ray Review – The Beguiled

1971 was a pivotal moment in time for Clint Eastwood and director Don Siegel. It was the year they gave the world "Dirty Harry," one of the most iconic police films ever made, launching a lucrative franchise that would carry on for the next two decades. However, earlier that year, the pair concocted "The Beguiled," looking to break away from the actioners and thrillers they were known for, setting out to adapt a 1966 novel that touched on uncomfortable situations of seduction. Playing slightly against type, Eastwood delivers strong work as the main character, pushed to rely on subtle bits of deception instead of pure intimidation. However, "The Beguiled" truly belongs to Siegel, who's taken a difficult story and transformed it into a fascinatingly bizarre suspense piece, bravely managing a tale where there isn't a likable character to be found. Exceedingly disturbing and evenly paced, the feature comes together splendidly, challenging viewers with scenes of predatory behavior and wartime anxiety, with Siegel extracting a few genuine ills out of a troubling saga. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com