WHO IS REALLY THE CAPTOR AND THE CAPTIVE?

In 1863, a wounded Union soldier (Clint Eastwood) is brought to a Mississippi plantation that is now housing a school for young ladies; his arrival has a great impact on the students and the headmistress (Geraldine Page).

An unusual film for Eastwood who’s no hero here but a damaged man, flirting with teenagers, and who ultimately finds himself in a very dark place. Casting him was unexpected and effective.

The games between the soldier and the women and the girls at the school come alive thanks to Don Siegel’s direction; he never holds back but lets the drama evolve into a provocative, emotionally charged nightmare.

1971-U.S. 105 min. Color. Produced and directed by Don Siegel. Screenplay: Albert Maltz, Irene Kamp. Novel: Thomas P. Cullinan. Cast: Clint Eastwood (John McBurney), Geraldine Page (Martha Farnsworth), Elizabeth Hartman (Edwina Dabney), Jo Ann Harris, Darleen Carr, Mae Mercer. 

Trivia: Jeanne Moreau was considered for the part of Martha. Pseudonyms are used for the writers whose original draft was heavily rewritten by Claude Traverse. Remade as The Beguiled (2017).

Last word: “It was a disaster at the box office, very poorly distributed and very poorly advertised. That had a lot to do with its lack of success but the fact is they sold it to the Man with No Name audience — it would do good the first few days and then fade out terrifically. Because they never sold it to the audience who would like that kind of film.” (Eastwood, interview with Patrick McGilligan)