The Dig
Year: 2021
Director: Simon Stone
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Johnny Flynn & Carey Mulligan
Runtime: 112 mins
BBFC: 12
Published: 24/07/21
Director: Simon Stone
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Johnny Flynn & Carey Mulligan
Runtime: 112 mins
BBFC: 12
Published: 24/07/21
History has never been my strong point, particularly British history. So, when films like The Dig come along and dramatize important historic events, I have one of two reactions; either I couldn’t care less and I will likely never make any kind of attempt to seek the film out, or it catches my eye for some reason, and I make a point of seeing it to finally learn something.
The Dig fell into the latter category, and I think it’s a mix of it releasing during a dry spell for films, right at the beginning of 2021, and the fact that I love Ralph Fiennes and Lily James.
The Dig is a dramatization of the excavation of Sutton Hoo in 1939, where Anglo-Saxon remains, and treasures were found. It was the last major excavation performed before World War II broke out, and it also revealed a considerable amount of information to indicate that the Anlgo-Saxons were more than the savages we thought them to be.
Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan) hires Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes), a self-taught excavator to begin an excavation on her property of what she believes may be some form of burial grounds. As the excavation progresses, what Brown uncovers becomes one of the most important British archaeological finds in decades. Meanwhile, in the downtime between digging, Brown and Pretty form an unlikely friendship; the British Museum try to interfere with the excavation, and romance blossoms between two of the excavators.
The Dig fell into the latter category, and I think it’s a mix of it releasing during a dry spell for films, right at the beginning of 2021, and the fact that I love Ralph Fiennes and Lily James.
The Dig is a dramatization of the excavation of Sutton Hoo in 1939, where Anglo-Saxon remains, and treasures were found. It was the last major excavation performed before World War II broke out, and it also revealed a considerable amount of information to indicate that the Anlgo-Saxons were more than the savages we thought them to be.
Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan) hires Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes), a self-taught excavator to begin an excavation on her property of what she believes may be some form of burial grounds. As the excavation progresses, what Brown uncovers becomes one of the most important British archaeological finds in decades. Meanwhile, in the downtime between digging, Brown and Pretty form an unlikely friendship; the British Museum try to interfere with the excavation, and romance blossoms between two of the excavators.
What I enjoyed most about The Dig was Fiennes and Mulligan’s performances. You can really tell that these two truly loved the roles they were playing and commit to them so convincingly you’d honestly forget that they are actors. The way the drama of the dig affects both of their lives, and how they react to that, is what really makes the film an enjoyable watch.
But it almost feels as though director Simon Stone didn’t believe that this was going to be interesting enough to draw a big enough audience and instead overshadows this main storyline with a sub-plot involving Peggy (Lily James) and Rory (Johnny Flynn). I won’t lie, I did enjoy this portion of the story, mostly because Lily James is excellent, however it doesn’t feel like it belongs in this film. It becomes increasingly more prevalent as the film progresses and by the final act it arguably becomes the main focus. I feel like this was thrown in to appeal to younger audience members, to give the film some kind of sex appeal, but it really didn’t need it which is the problem.
Personally, I did enjoy The Dig, however it’s a film for a very particular kind of audience. Not much really happens in the main storyline and the big draw to it is the incredible performances by the leading man and lady. Whilst there is a love affair which does give the story some intrigue, it feels out of place given the type of film it is.
If you enjoy historical dramas then I feel like you will like The Dig, but it’s best to keep in mind just how narrow the focus of the film is before you go expecting something grander.
But it almost feels as though director Simon Stone didn’t believe that this was going to be interesting enough to draw a big enough audience and instead overshadows this main storyline with a sub-plot involving Peggy (Lily James) and Rory (Johnny Flynn). I won’t lie, I did enjoy this portion of the story, mostly because Lily James is excellent, however it doesn’t feel like it belongs in this film. It becomes increasingly more prevalent as the film progresses and by the final act it arguably becomes the main focus. I feel like this was thrown in to appeal to younger audience members, to give the film some kind of sex appeal, but it really didn’t need it which is the problem.
Personally, I did enjoy The Dig, however it’s a film for a very particular kind of audience. Not much really happens in the main storyline and the big draw to it is the incredible performances by the leading man and lady. Whilst there is a love affair which does give the story some intrigue, it feels out of place given the type of film it is.
If you enjoy historical dramas then I feel like you will like The Dig, but it’s best to keep in mind just how narrow the focus of the film is before you go expecting something grander.