this movie be not what it appear to be . clint eastwood be not dirty harry or a cowboy here . the movie appeal come from it careful manipulation of atmosphere and theme . it a gothic tale set in the civil war and a such all the film action and or lack thereof and take place inside a house populate by southern belle of all age and shape . the horror come from view the whole story through the eye of the clint eastwood character . see him strand in the house and hold captive by the woman be a very beguiling experience indeed . and who be beguile here exactly . be the woman beguile by eastwood incredible look . be we and the viewer and beguile by both his sexual allure and the potential deviant sexuality it unleash . or do beguile refer to what the director do here hold u enthral for a short space only to ( maybe ) let u go . don siegel do all of the above in one of the most memorable and disturb film i have the pleasure of watching .