The Dig (2021 film): Difference between revisions
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==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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In 1939, Suffolk landowner [[Edith Pretty]] hires local archaeologist [[Basil Brown]] to excavate the large [[burial mound]]s at her rural estate in [[Sutton Hoo]], paying him £2 a |
In 1939, Suffolk landowner [[Edith Pretty]] hires local archaeologist [[Basil Brown]] to excavate the large [[burial mound]]s at her rural estate in [[Sutton Hoo]], paying him £2 a week (approximately £120 in 2020). [[Ipswich Museum]] officials try to persuade Brown to work on a Roman villa they deem more important, but he declines. They ignore the self-taught Brown when he suggests the mounds could be [[Anglo-Saxon]] rather than the more common Viking. |
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Working with a few assistants from the estate, Brown slowly excavates the more promising of the mounds. One day the dirt collapses on him, but he is dug out in time and revived. Meanwhile, he spends more time with Edith, a widow, and her young son, Robert, and ignores daily letters from his wife, May. Edith struggles with health issues and is warned by her doctor to avoid stress. |
Working with a few assistants from the estate, Brown slowly excavates the more promising of the mounds. One day the dirt collapses on him, but he is dug out in time and revived. Meanwhile, he spends more time with Edith, a widow, and her young son, Robert, and ignores daily letters from his wife, May. Edith struggles with health issues and is warned by her doctor to avoid stress. |
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Revision as of 22:38, 29 January 2021
| The Dig | |
|---|---|
 Official release poster | |
| Directed by | Simon Stone |
| Screenplay by | Moira Buffini |
| Based on | The Dig by John Preston |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Mike Eley |
| Edited by | Jon Harris |
| Music by | Stefan Gregory[1] |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
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Running time | 112 minutes |
| Countries | United Kingdom United States |
| Language | English |
The Dig is a drama film directed by Simon Stone, based on the 2007 novel of the same name by John Preston, which reimagines the events of the 1939 excavation of Sutton Hoo. It stars Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Johnny Flynn, Ben Chaplin, Ken Stott, Archie Barnes and Monica Dolan.
It was released in a limited release on 15 January, 2021, followed by streaming on Netflix on 29 January, 2021.
Plot
In 1939, Suffolk landowner Edith Pretty hires local archaeologist Basil Brown to excavate the large burial mounds at her rural estate in Sutton Hoo, paying him £2 a week (approximately £120 in 2020). Ipswich Museum officials try to persuade Brown to work on a Roman villa they deem more important, but he declines. They ignore the self-taught Brown when he suggests the mounds could be Anglo-Saxon rather than the more common Viking.
Working with a few assistants from the estate, Brown slowly excavates the more promising of the mounds. One day the dirt collapses on him, but he is dug out in time and revived. Meanwhile, he spends more time with Edith, a widow, and her young son, Robert, and ignores daily letters from his wife, May. Edith struggles with health issues and is warned by her doctor to avoid stress.
Brown is astonished to uncover iron rivets from a ship, which could only make it the burial site of someone of tremendous distinction, such as a king. Prominent local archaeologist James Reid Moir attempts to join the dig but is rebuffed; Edith instead hires her cousin Rory Lomax to join the project. However, news of the discovery soon spreads, and Cambridge archaeologist Charles Phillips arrives, declares the site to be of national importance, and takes over the dig by order of the Office of Works.
As war approaches, Philips brings in a large team, including Peggy Piggott, who uncovers the first distinctly Anglo-Saxon artifact. Brown is retained only to keep the site in order, but Edith intervenes and he resumes digging. Brown discovers a Merovingian tremissis and Philips declares the site to be of major historical significance. Philips wants to send all the items to the British Museum, but Edith, concerned about the war raids in London, asserts her rights. An inquest confirms she is the owner of the ship and its priceless treasure trove of grave goods, but she despairs as her health continues to decline.
Peggy — who is badly neglected by her husband, Stuart — begins a romance with Rory, but he is soon called up by the Royal Air Force. Edith decides to donate the Sutton Hoo treasure to the British Museum but requests that Brown be given recognition for his work. She dies in 1942.
A note states that the treasure was hidden in the London Underground during the war and was first exhibited — without any mention of Basil Brown — nine years after Edith's death. Only recently was Brown given full credit for his contribution and his name is now displayed permanently alongside Edith Pretty's at the British Museum.
Cast
- Carey Mulligan as Edith Pretty
- Ralph Fiennes as Basil Brown
- Lily James as Peggy Piggott
- Johnny Flynn as Rory Lomax
- Ben Chaplin as Stuart Piggott
- Ken Stott as Charles Phillips
- Archie Barnes as Robert Pretty
- Monica Dolan as May Brown
Production
It was announced in September 2018 that Nicole Kidman and Ralph Fiennes were in negotiations to star in the film.[2] However by August 2019, Kidman was no longer involved with the project, with Carey Mulligan cast to replace her. The film’s rights also moved from BBC Films to Netflix.[3] Lily James entered negotiations to join the cast in September.[4] In October 2019, Johnny Flynn, Ben Chaplin, Ken Stott and Monica Dolan joined the cast of the film.[5]
Principal photography began at Shackleford in Surrey in October 2019, with location filming taking place in Suffolk near to the original discovery site.[6]
Release
The film was released in a limited release on 15 January 2021. Netflix will stream the film starting 29 January 2021.[7]
Reception
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 87% based on 76 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Featuring beautifully matched performances from Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan set against gorgeously filmed English countryside, The Dig yields period drama treasures."[8] According to Metacritic, which sampled 24 critics and calculated a weighted average score of 74 out of 100, the film received "generally favorable reviews".[9]
Kevin Maher of The Times gave the film 5 out of 5 stars and described it a "serious, intellectually committed, and emotionally piercing cinema. Unmissable."[10] Katie Rife of The A.V. Club gave the film a B- and wrote, "for all the film's sweeping, romantic ideas, the actual experience of watching The Dig is a lot like sitting at a bus stop."[11]
References
- ^ "Stefan Gregory Scoring Simon Stone's Netflix Film 'The Dig'". Film Music Reporter. Film Music Reporter. 21 December 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ Townsend, Emily (21 September 2018). "Nicole Kidman could star in new film about Sutton Hoo". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (29 August 2019). "Carey Mulligan to Star in Netflix Drama 'The Dig' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
- ^ Kit, Borys (5 September 2019). "Lily James to Join Carey Mulligan in Netflix Period Drama 'Dig' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (8 October 2019). "'The Dig': Johnny Flynn, Ben Chaplin, Ken Stott & Monica Dolan Join Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes & Lily James In Netflix Pic Now Underway In UK". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
- ^ The Dig to film in the UK
- ^ Times Staff (19 November 2020). "Yes, Virginia, there are movies this holiday season. Here's where to find them". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ "The Dig (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ "The Dig Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ Maher, Kevin (13 January 2021). "The Dig review — emotionally piercing and intoxicating drama about the pull of the past". The Times. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ Rife, Katie (13 January 2021). "Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes delve for meaning in the sallow period drama The Dig". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 14 January 2021.