Period drama based on ‘brilliant’ book ‘will make viewers cry’ | Books | Entertainment

A gripping period drama featuring some of Britain’s biggest stars is earning widespread acclaim for its emotionally charged storyline, stunning cinematography, and outstanding performances.

Directed by Simon Stone, with a screenplay written by Moira Buffini and John Preston, this 2021 production is adapted from a novel of the same name written by Preston himself.

When it was released in 2007, The Dig was praised as “a brilliantly realized account of the most famous archaeological dig in Britain in modern times”. Preston, who was a television critic, is the nephew of one of the people involved in the dig itself.

The Dig revisits the remarkable events surrounding the Sutton Hoo Excavation of 1939, which took place in Suffolk, England.

Led by Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan in the principal roles, the duo are backed by an exceptional ensemble cast featuring Lily James, Johnny Flynn, Ben Chaplin, Ken Stott, Archie Barnes, and Monica Dolan.

The Dig enjoyed a limited theatrical run from January 14 2021, before landing on Netflix on January 29 of the same year. On its opening weekend alone, this ‘engrossing’ period drama shot straight to become the third-most watched title on the platform, drawing glowing reviews from both audiences and critics.

It also received five BAFTA nominations, amongst them Outstanding British Film.

The film’s official synopsis reads: “An excavator and his team discover a wooden ship from the Dark Ages while digging up a burial ground on a woman’s estate.”

The Dig boasts an impressive 88% critics’ approval rating on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.

One reviewer said of the film: “It’s really something when a film is not too concerned with the aesthetic but will find the beauty in discovery of one’s own. The Dig is a good picture, wonderfully acted (Ralph Fiennes is tremendous here), and an engrossing reimagining.”

While another critic said in a glowing review: “Don’t be fooled by the digging and the dirt, this Netflix feature is one of those rare hidden gems just waiting to be unearthed. Quintessentially English, full of charm and tenacity Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan put in star performances.”

Yet another critic said: “A rich array of subdued performances and exceptional handheld cinematography grace a delicately woven British period piece. A finely observed film made up of small, touching moments, The Dig is testament to the virtues of understated acting.”

While one emotional critic said: “It’s remarkably moving. By Jupiter, I even cried by the end.”

Viewers proved equally delighted with the film, with one overwhelmed fan writing: ” It is astonishing to me how much I enjoyed this movie. I typically dislike period pieces…especially British period pieces…but here we are. This exudes so much subtle emotion, atmosphere, and significance that I was pretty taken aback by how big this relatively small story feels.

“The juxtaposition between the marvel of their discovery and the horror of the inevitable war is very felt and the absolutely brilliant acting in The Dig breathes real life into every moment. I wouldn’t say this bowled me over with its story as it’s really quite simple, but it’s the pure humanity it was able to quietly pour over me that left me thoroughly impressed. Banger of a movie.”

Another thoroughly impressed viewer wrote: “I found the story moving and consequential. The acting was superb. Mulligen, Fiennes and James were outstanding. If you have visited the British Museum this movie/story will resonate and leave you searching for more details. It was an inspiring story.”

Meanwhile, a further fan said: “This isn’t my type of film usually, but I found it to be enchanting and captivating. Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes are excellent, as is the young lad . A window on a dangerous time but also captures the charm of England back then , when everyone had manners and everything was done with TLC.”

The Dig is currently available to stream on Netflix.