The Dig review (Spring Film Festival) (Exclusive Series)

The Dig (Facebook Exclusive Series)

Studios: Netflix Clerkenwell Films Magnolia Mae Films

Tagline: Nothing stays lost forever

Plot: In the 1930s, wealthy landowner Edith Pretty hires amateur archeologist Basil Brown to investigate the mounds on her property in England. He and his team discover a ship from the Dark Ages while digging up a burial ground.

Cast

Ralph Fiennes (Dolittle) - Basil Brown

Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman) - Edith Pretty

Lily James (Netflix’s Rebecca; Yesterday) - Peggy Piggott

Ben Chaplin (HBOs The Nevers) - Stuart Piggott

Danny Webb (Epix’s Pennyworth) - John Grately

James Dryden - George Spooner

Joe Hurst - John Jacobs

Paul Ready - James Reid Moir

Peter McDonald - Guy Maynard

Ellie Piercy - Mrs. Lyons

Bronwyn James - Ellen McKenzie

Monica Dolan (Days of the Bagnold Summer) - May Brown

Johnny Flynn (Emma.) - Rory Lomax

Writer(s): Moira Buffini (Jane Eyre)

John Preston (novel)

Director: Simon Stone

Rated PG-13 for brief sensuality and partial nudity (112 min)

‘The Dig’ is a mesmerizing feature film that is actually kind of like a learning experience. Based on a true story, this incredible drama is a hidden gem that’s an absolute must see!

Some of the excavating scenes are really amazing and interesting and sometimes makes you think what can actually be buried under the ground. The English scenery in the film is also very beautiful to see.

‘The Dig’ is also very crowd-pleasing and moving. Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan also give great performances. There are also a few dramatic subplots scattered about, including Mrs. Pretty (the main female lead character)) dealing with her health.

If you don’t get a chance to see this film during the Spring Film Festival, make sure to check it out on Netflix since it’s a Netflix Original Film.

Here are some interesting tidbits about ‘The Dig’:

• Reimagines the events of the 1939 excavation of Sutton Hoo near Woodbridge, in Suffolk, England. It’s the site of two early medieval cemeteries that date from the 6th and 7th centuries. One cemetery had an undisturbed ship burial with a wealth of Anglo-Saxon artifacts. Most of these objects are now held by the British Museum.

• Ralph Fiennes actually helped establish an archaeological field school based in Cheshire with his brother. The Poulton Research Project is a multi-period site with a significant medieval cemetery that archaeology

students and volunteers help excavate every spring/summer.

• Nicole Kidman was originally cast but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts; She was replaced by Carey Mulligan.

• Peggy Piggott, played by Lily James, is the real life aunt of the author of the book ‘The Dig.’

• Based on the 2007 novel of the same name by John Preston.

• The project began in 2006 when producer Ellie Wood read the manuscript of ‘The Dig,’ ahead of its 2007 publication, and optioned the novel in order to adapt it for the screen.

• The film’s rights also eventually moved from BBC Films to Netflix.

• Principal photography began at Shackleford in Surrey in October 2019.

• The film had a limited release on January 15, 2021. Netflix released the film for streaming on January 29. The film was the 3rd most watched title in its debut weekend, then finished 7th

Here are the remaining show dates and times for ‘The Dig’: April 28 at 12; April 30 at 12; May 4 at 2:30; May 7 at 2:30; May 9 at 7; May 11 at 2:30

May 13 at 7