1h: 52m Drama, History
Stars: Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James
The film explores the story of the excavation of the Anglo-Saxon Great Ship Burial site at Sutton Hoo in 1939. In the late 1930s, wealthy landowner Edith Pretty hires local self-taught amateur archaeologist Basil Brown to investigate the mounds on her property in Suffolk. Brown is astonished to uncover iron rivets from a ship, suggesting that it is the burial site of someone of tremendous distinction, such as a king. After the Government realised the importance of the discovery they ordered the excavation to be taken over by ‘The Office of Works’ and Brown’s achievements were largely overlooked. Only much later was Brown given full credit for his contribution and his name is now displayed permanently alongside Pretty’s at the British Museum. The film higlights the achievement of this modest man.
Review: Critics Consensus: “Featuring beautifully matched performances from Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan set against gorgeously filmed English countryside, The Dig yields period drama treasures.”
88% / 78%
