It’s safe to say people don’t associate genre filmmaking with Sofia Coppola (LOST IN TRANSLATION), but THE BEGUILED may change that. It’s actually a remake of the 1971 Don Siegel movie, which adapted Thomas P. Cullinan‘s story “A Painted Devil” – though it’s said Coppola’s version will be slightly different. The story follows an injured Union soldier named John McBurney (played by Colin Farrell) – Clint Eastwood played this part in the 71 version. When John finds himself in the care of a Confederate school under the watch of headmistress Martha Farnsworth (Nicole Kidman), things start to get a little uncomfortable, especially when he engages in a bit of promiscuity with teacher Edwina Dabney (Kirsten Dunst) and student Alicia (Elle Fanning). The trailer below gives away the fact that things don’t appear to end well for McBurney, but we’re sure you can still let your imagination run wild. Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
“The Beguiled” is an atmospheric thriller from acclaimed writer/director Sofia Coppola. The story unfolds during the Civil War, at a Southern girls’ boarding school. Its sheltered young women take in an injured enemy soldier. As they provide refuge and tend to his wounds, the house is taken over with sexual tension and dangerous rivalries, and taboos are broken in an unexpected turn of events.