The Dig: Now a BAFTA-nominated motion picture starring Ralph Fiennes, Carey Mulligan and Lily James

Product Information

There are also several strands to the relationships between all invloved too, including working relationships, family relationships, class and secret relationships. Word to the wise: tell the true story, not all the other stories that screenwriters imagine must have been going on at the same time.

Ralph Fiennes plays the character beautifully and carries the movie for the first half. Alas, not enough to make it interesting. My advice to Stone is "Don't start something without completing it". My guess is there is extra footage on Peggy and perhaps a Director's-Cut extended version will be released at some point completing Peggy's story - I'd like to see that. While the ensemble cast is highly competent, I don't see a particular supporting role having enough "spotlight momentum" to break-out and win an Oscar, although Lily James (Peggy Piggott) is a long-shot. It's 1939 Suffolk, England. Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan) hires local archaeologist Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes) to dig some mysterious mounts of earth on her property. He sees the potential for an unprecedented Anglo-Saxon find. When he makes a big discovery, prominent archaeologist Charles Phillips arrives to take over the dig. He brings in married couple Stuart Piggott (Ben Chaplin) and Peggy Piggott (Lily James). Edith calls in her cousin Rory Lomax (Johnny Flynn) to help. I've been to see the Sutton Hoo treasures many times and have seen the story told on TV from Blue Peter to Horizon so I was looking forward to this... but also slightly worried about it. Films on subjects like this can be either dry or trivial or triumphalist or worthy or just bad.

Add to Wish List

These are curious distortions considering that The Dig was based on a 2007 novel by John Preston, who is Peggy Piggott’s nephew. Jeffers points out, however, that Preston only became aware of the Sutton Hoo dig in the mid-2000s and Peggy died in the mid 1990s. “Unless there were some seances or Ouija boards involved, I am confident in saying that this information didn’t come from Peggy,” he said. Daniels, Nia (26 July 2019). "The Dig to film in the UK". The Knowledge. Archived from the original on 30 August 2019 . Retrieved 30 January 2021.

However, he went on to list a litany of liberties the film took, including some that went completely contrary to recorded events. The biggest issues, he said, surrounded the character of Edith’s cousin and excavation photographer Rory (Johnny Flynn), a wholly fictional creation who not only introduced unnecessary issues with several of the real life people, but also squeezed two pioneers out of their place in the spotlight. It's not the usual kind of film I go for, but I was won over in minutes, this is an exceptional film. An intriguing little piece of British history, The Dig tells a slow-burning story with understated and genuine drama throughout, turning what could have been a rather dry tale of archaeology into a genuinely gripping character drama. Its historical context takes a little while to become fully relevant, but ultimately, The Dig really proves itself as a captivating watch. Plus, there’s Charles Phillips ( Ken Stott) from the British Museum, getting him and his men in on the action, shoving his face in where it’s not really wanted.One of the big reasons that the film's patient pacing and style work so well is because of its understated, genuine drama. With calm yet fully convincing performances across the board, particularly from Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan, this isn't a showy period drama by any means, but eases you into a story about real people, making them the centre of attention far more than the historical significance of the event. Maher, Kevin (13 January 2021). "The Dig review — emotionally piercing and intoxicating drama about the pull of the past". The Times. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021 . Retrieved 14 January 2021. As others have mentioned, the 'action' takes place in the form of subtle dialogue, knowing glances, and the tension brought upon by an omnipresent looming war. For some, it appears this wasn't enough to keep them interested over the course of the film. Smith, Neil (29 January 2021). "Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan remake history in Netflix film The Dig". BBC News. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021 . Retrieved 30 January 2021.