"[15] Katie Rife of The A.V. Death seeps into every frame of The Dig, Netflix’s beguiling new period drama. Netflix also provides details on the mature content found within a TV show or movie, if applicable. One day the trench collapses on him, but they dig him out in time. An archaeologist embarks on the historically important excavation of Sutton Hoo in 1938. Both are based on real-life people – though the age-gap between them is an invention of the Netflix movie. At first, she offers the same money he received from the Ipswich Museum, the agricultural wage,[2] but he says it is inadequate; so she ups her offer by 12% to £2 a week (approximately £120 in 2020), which he accepts. Netflix released the film for streaming on 29 January 2021. Critic Reviews for The Dig. On the eve of World War II, a British widow hires a self-taught archaeologist to dig up mysterious formations on her land, leading to a staggering find. Unmissable. Though it tells the true story behind the excavation of the Sutton Hoo burial site, its victories are swiftly exposed as fleeting and superficial, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile, Dir: Simon Stone. The 86ft Anglo-Saxon burial ship, at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, was unearthed along with more than 260 items in 1939. Each title on the UK version of Netflix has been rated by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) using its regular rating system – U, PG, 12, 15 and 18 – to determine what audience the title is suitable for. Here's where to find them", "Tenacious 'Tenet' Still Soaring on VOD Charts as 'News of the World' Stays Strong", "The Dig review — emotionally piercing and intoxicating drama about the pull of the past", "Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes delve for meaning in the sallow period drama, "The Dig: Will Gompertz reviews film starring Carey Mulligan & Ralph Fiennes ★★★★☆", "The Dig review – a quiet meeting of minds at Sutton Hoo", "Longlists, 2021 EE British Academy Film Awards", "2021 EE British Academy Film Awards: The Nominations", "AARP The Magazine Sets Movies For Grownups Nominees, Adds TV Categories", "Female filmmakers lead nominees for the Critics' Circle Film Awards", "Netflix drama The Dig unfair on Sutton Hoo archaeologist Peggy Piggott", "How accurate is The Dig? So we don’t really die.”, Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. 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. Netflix’s archeological drama The Dig gets caught in a bad romance But it eventually refocuses to a much better one By Robert Daniels Updated Jan 29, 2021, 12:18pm EST [18], On 4 February 2021, the film was listed for nine BAFTAs, including Best Film, Outstanding British Film, Director, Leading Actor, Cinematography and Adapted Screenplay. "[13] According to Metacritic, which sampled 35 critics and calculated a weighted average score of 73 out of 100, the film received "generally favorable reviews". Nothing will free these souls from the inevitability of history. Netflix's "The Dig," based on the novel of the same name by John Preston (2007), recounts the tale of this remarkable find. [3] It was announced in September 2018 that Nicole Kidman and Ralph Fiennes were in negotiations to star in the film. All Critics (147) ... this Netflix feature is one of those rare hidden gems just waiting to be unearthed. I hereby declare Netflix’s The Dig to be a significant contender for The Year’s Most British Movie. [26], Bridge also criticised the addition of the fictional Rory Lomax as a love interest for Piggott. You can customise which of these ratings you want each individual user to have … It's late summer in England, 1939. It’s a delicately handled performance, one that never tries to beg its audience for sympathy and praise. Moira Buffini’s script work, including her 2011 adaptation of Jane Eyre, lends a modern eye to the classic English sensibility – here, she grounds each relationship in the feeling of an unspoken future tragedy. Meanwhile, he spends more time with Edith, a widow, and her young son, Robert, and ignores daily letters from his wife, May. 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. The film’s rights also moved from BBC Films to Netflix. On the eve of World War II, a British widow hires a self-taught archaeologist to dig up mysterious formations on her land, leading to a staggering find. The plot thickens when people descend onto the land, to continue the dig, and jostle for credit. Why British filmmakers are so transfixed by sexual repression, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}, Netflix’s The Dig quietly subverts its period dressings, Booking.com promo: 10% extra saving with Level 1 Genius membership, 15% off selected luxury beauty products by using this Debenhams discount code, Exclusive Ideal World promo code: 20% saving on fitness, Receive a £2 AliExpress promo code with the official App, Argos discount: Save up to 15% on selected bikes and scooters. UNLIMITED TV SHOWS & MOVIES. Former employers try unsuccessfully to persuade Brown to work on a Roman villa they deem more important. It lies deep in the soft mud of Suffolk’s Sutton Hoo, within the bones of a centuries-old ceremonial ship invisible to history. [25] The two women who extensively photographed the site were excluded from the book and film in order to create a romantic storyline. In 1939, Suffolk landowner Edith Pretty hires local self-taught archaeologist-excavator Basil Brown to tackle the large burial mounds at her rural estate in Sutton Hoo near Woodbridge. Brown is astonished to uncover iron rivets from a ship, making it the burial site of someone of tremendous distinction, such as a king. Brown’s attitude is confident, stubbornly self-assured – but the actor fills his eyes with doubt. When Brown’s not only proven right but finds evidence that the Anglo-Saxons were a rich and culturally advanced society, the British Museum gets involved. The film, directed by Australia’s Simon Stone, arrives in delicate lace and stiff tweeds. Rate. He was inspired by his aunt Peggy Piggott, played by Lily James, who was an archaeologist during the 1939 dig. To choose the types of TV shows and movies your kids can watch, you can manage their profiles individually or create a profile with the Netflix Kids experience with titles just for kids. There is a contemplative quality to Stone’s film, which cinematographer Mike Eley matches in dreamy, handheld camerawork that hovers around and follows characters lost in thought. No one can quite shake the grip of an oncoming war. Choose maturity ratings or block shows 7.1/10. They ignore Brown, who left school aged 12, when he suggests the mounds could be Anglo-Saxon rather than the more common Viking era. Crawford (the archaeological officer of the Ordnance Survey) separately took series of photographs. The Dig might not sound like a must-see Netflix movie on the face of it, telling the story of what's considered to be the UK's biggest archaeological find.. [5] Lily James entered negotiations to join the cast in September. The Dig shifts gears when Basil's findings reinforce his early impression that the earth might yield remains dating back further than the Vikings, … Start using parental controls: Create a profile with a specific maturity rating. 12, 112 mins. Based on James Preston's 2007 novel of the same name, Netflix's The Dig depicts one of the most famous archaeological digs in modern British … Fortunately, Netflix gives parents the opportunity to customise what content they want their children to have access to. And it arrives by air, as RAF planes from a nearby base ready themselves for war. 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. [25] In addition, Charles Phillips was in his late 30s but is played by Ken Stott in his 60s, and the landowner Edith Pretty was in her mid 50s but is played by Carey Mulligan in her mid 30s (the 53-year-old Nicole Kidman originally was slated to play Pretty). The same could be said of Fiennes’s approach. Peggy Preston (Lily James) finds herself drawn to the knavish Rory (Johnny Flynn). And yet The Dig quietly subverts the comforts of victory, exposing them as a fleeting and superficial state of being. With Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Johnny Flynn. Part of the new excavation team is Stuart Piggot (Ben Chaplin) and his budding-archaeologist wife Peggy (). All Critics (147) ... this Netflix feature is one of those rare hidden gems just waiting to be unearthed. The Dig review – Sutton Hoo excavation romance is none too deep Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes unearth an Anglo-Saxon burial ship, but leave … Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. Brown is demoted to only keep the site in order, but Edith intervenes and he resumes digging. The Dig Netflix release date The Dig will be released in select UK cinemas on Friday 15th January 2021 . [24] In reality, Mercie Lack and Barbara Wagstaff (two teachers), and O.G.S. [6] In October 2019, Johnny Flynn, Ben Chaplin, Ken Stott and Monica Dolan joined the cast of the film. It transformed understanding of the "dark age" of the seventh century. The character of Lomax, Pretty's cousin, is depicted as the photographer. Starring: Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James. At times, editor Jon Harris allows a scene’s dialogue to continue offscreen, as the camera turns to focus on Mulligan’s Pretty in a moment of private despair, sat stiff as an effigy. Callahan soon realises that the only way to get rid of him is to help him dig. But audiences know that with a dash of old-fashioned, British doggedness – and the kind eye of an aristocratic patron like Pretty – Brown will eventually overcome. Pictured: Lily James's character Peggy Piggott with her lover Rory Lomax. Netflix Netflix. [19], Gabrielle Tana, Ellie Wood, Moira Buffini, Mark Bridge of The Times noted that archaeologists had taken issue with the film's portrayal of Peggy Piggott as inexperienced and only hired because her light weight would not disturb the delicate site. [24], British drama film directed by Simon Stone, "Stefan Gregory Scoring Simon Stone's Netflix Film 'The Dig, "The buried ship found on an English estate", "Nicole Kidman could star in new film about Sutton Hoo", "Carey Mulligan to Star in Netflix Drama 'The Dig' (Exclusive)", "Lily James to Join Carey Mulligan in Netflix Period Drama 'Dig' (Exclusive)", "Yes, Virginia, there are movies this holiday season. The Dig review – Sutton Hoo excavation romance is none too deep Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes unearth an Anglo-Saxon burial ship, but leave … Watch on Netflix with subscription. The fourth season, now complete on Netflix UK, is sadly the last, but it gets a fitting finale, even if the show arguably peaked in its first year. It sleeps inside the chest of Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan), who owns the land on which these undiscovered treasures sit, her damaged heart weakening a little more with each passing day. It transformed understanding of the “dark age” of the seventh century. "[17] In a more mixed review, Mark Kermode of The Guardian rated the film 3/5 stars, writing that "it’s a melancholy whimsy about common purpose, new friendship and the persistence of the past, bogged down occasionally by a somewhat superfluous romantic subplot but buoyed up by Mike Eley’s lush cinematography". The site'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. It lacks the emotional and intellectual heft and bite to make it an unmissable, classic movie, but I would happily watch it again, and again. It stars Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Johnny Flynn, Ben Chaplin, Ken Stott, Archie Barnes, and Monica Dolan. Added to Watchlist. ‘The Dig’ Rated: PG-13, for brief sensuality and partial nudity Running time: 1 hour, 52 minutes Playing: Available Jan. 29 on Netflix [7], Principal photography began at Shackleford in Surrey in October 2019 – Norney Grange there being used to stand in as Pretty's house at Sutton Hoo – with location filming taking place in Suffolk near to the original discovery site. The Dig might not sound like a must-see Netflix movie on the face of it, telling the story of what's considered to be the UK's biggest archaeological find.. Watch trailers & learn more. She dies in 1942. As World War II approaches, Philips brings in a large team, including Peggy Piggott, who uncovers proof that it is Anglo-Saxon in origin. [25] She was also presented as married to an older, more experienced male archaeologist, when in reality Stuart Piggott was only two years her senior (27 and 29, respectively), and they had met while both students. Netflix supports the Digital Advertising Alliance Principles. Critic Reviews for The Dig. When they make a … "[16] Will Gompertz of BBC News awarded the film 4/5 stars, writing that "it is a thoroughly enjoyable film made with subtlety and sensitivity: a real tonic for these bleak winter days and nights. Edith decides to donate the Sutton Hoo treasure to the British Museum, requesting that Brown be given recognition for his work. Netflix’s The Dig, based on the novel of the same name by John Preston (2007), recounts the tale of this remarkable find. Netflix's latest original film The Dig landed on the streamer just a few days ago (29 January) but already the long-awaited movie is facing backlash … Mulligan, a replacement for Nicole Kidman (after The Dig moved from BBC Films to Netflix), is as subtle and affecting as she ever has been, this time in a more mature role. An archaeologist embarks on the historically important excavation of Sutton Hoo in 1938. The sight and sound of RAF planes flying overhead is an ominous reminder that war looms. The Dig. The Dig is a 2021 British 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. The Dig 2021 | PG-13 | 1h 52m | Movies Based on Books On the eve of World War II, a British widow hires a self-taught archaeologist to dig up mysterious formations on her land, leading to a staggering find. [4] However by August 2019, Kidman was no longer involved with the project, with Carey Mulligan cast to replace her. Only recently was Brown given full credit for his contribution and his name is now displayed permanently alongside Pretty's at the British Museum. The cast all capture that necessary sense of fragility, as if they could all be snuffed out in an instant. Philips wants to send all the artefacts to the British Museum, but Edith, concerned about war raids in London, asserts her rights. She’s humiliated by her peers and ignored by her husband (Ben Chaplin), but soon finds herself drawn to Pretty’s knavish cousin Rory (Johnny Flynn) – a man who will no doubt be called up to fight when the worst comes to pass. 49,218. [9] The film was the third-most watched title in its debut weekend, then finished seventh each of the following two weekends. Directed by Andy Tohill, Ryan Tohill. Featuring: Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Johnny Flynn, Ben Chaplin, Ken Stott. Working with assistants from Pretty’s estate, Brown slowly excavates the more promising of the mounds. The treasure was hidden in the London Underground during the war and first exhibited — without any mention of Basil Brown — nine years after Edith's death. Netflix sets maturity ratings by the frequency and impact of mature content in a title, such as the amount of violence, sex, adult language, nudity, or substance use that may be present. The film received positive reviews from critics and has received five nominations for the British Academy Film Awards, including for Outstanding British Film. [19] Voting to determine the nominations (which will be announced on 9 March 2021) opened 19 February 2021. With Francis Magee, Lorcan Cranitch, Moe Dunford, Emily Taaffe. The Dig is one of Netflix's most-watched films and it's easy to see why. The Dig movie reviews & Metacritic score: As WWII looms, a wealthy widow (Carey Mulligan) hires an amateur archaeologist (Ralph Fiennes) to excavate the burial mounds on her estate. It will then be available to stream globally on Netflix from Friday 29th January 2021 . Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes as Edith Pretty and Basil Brown in 'The Dig'. It had a limited release on 15 January 2021, followed by streaming on Netflix on 29 January 2021. The project began in 2006 when producer Ellie Wood read the manuscript of The Dig by John Preston, ahead of its 2007 publication, and optioned the novel in order to adapt it for the screen. Edith struggles with her health, warned by her doctor to avoid stress. ‘The Dig’ Rated: PG-13, for brief sensuality and partial nudity Running time: 1 hour, 52 minutes Playing: Available Jan. 29 on Netflix 12, 112 mins. Peggy Preston (Lily James) is a young archaeologist hired because her light step won’t damage the ship’s hull. 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. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Brown discovers a Merovingian Tremissis, a small gold coin of Late Antiquity, and Philips declares the site to be of major historical significance. [10][11][12], Rotten Tomatoes reports that 88% of 138 critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 7.2/10. RELATED: The 10 Best Original Netflix Comedy Movies, Ranked (According To Metacritic) Many movie-goers were charmed by the … Peggy, neglected by her husband Stuart, begins a romance with Rory, but he is soon called up by the Royal Air Force. 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