The Dig
Netflix | Release Date: January 15, 2021
6.8
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 94 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
63
Mixed:
25
Negative:
6
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
6
Mauro_LanariJan 31, 2021
(Mauro Lanari)
"The dig" (of the grave)
Simon Stone manipulated the real story in a single direction: Edith Pretty was involved in spiritualism, and from this he invented the classic rigmarole on the supposed immortality or eternity of love.(Mauro Lanari)
"The dig" (of the grave)
Simon Stone manipulated the real story in a single direction: Edith Pretty was involved in spiritualism, and from this he invented the classic rigmarole on the supposed immortality or eternity of love. Falsified romance stories between the two protagonists, between Peggy Piggott and Rory (a fictional character), and on the reasons for Basil's passion for archaeology. Nevertheless, the film maintains from the first scene, with Finnies hunched under the weight of age and fatigue, with the poignant soundtrack and desaturated photography, the opposite halo of a Beckettian transience: we all fail, every day.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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6
MetacriticOnurJul 14, 2021
admirable
[ ad-mer-uh-buhl ]

adjective
worthy of admiration; inspiring approval, reverence, or affection.
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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5
TVJerryJan 23, 2021
Carey Mulligan plays a rich widow who hires an excavationist (Ralph Fiennes) to dig into the ancient mounds on her estate. This process and the discoveries are enjoyable and informative (based on true events). In an attempt to add depth,Carey Mulligan plays a rich widow who hires an excavationist (Ralph Fiennes) to dig into the ancient mounds on her estate. This process and the discoveries are enjoyable and informative (based on true events). In an attempt to add depth, there are several subplots that stretch out the story and add too much time. Those who like period films (this is set at the verge of WWII) might enjoy the historical aspects. The characters and their complications are sufficiently interesting, but the languorous pace drags down the dig.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
lolplayer117Feb 7, 2021
I wanted more scenes about the actual excavation process. Too much time spent on somewhat hamfisted relationship stuff. Also, the music was pretty overbearing.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Brent_MarchantMar 12, 2021
Despite fine production values and an excellent performance by Ralph Fiennes, this elegant fact-based period piece about a lonely widowed heiress who hires an underappreciated amateur archaeologist to excavate an enigmatic site on her estateDespite fine production values and an excellent performance by Ralph Fiennes, this elegant fact-based period piece about a lonely widowed heiress who hires an underappreciated amateur archaeologist to excavate an enigmatic site on her estate looks great but has considerable trouble keeping its focus on the central narrative. Director Simon Stone's latest introduces a growing number of story threads as the picture progresses, many of them not particularly interesting, that draw attention away from where the film starts, a launching point that's not an especially compelling tale to begin with. The movie's lavish production values, beautiful cinematography and sweeping score help to make this release appear better than it actually is, but, once those cover attributes are swept aside, viewers are left with an underwhelming offering that's not as engaging as the filmmakers believe it to be.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
MattBrady99Oct 5, 2021
For a movie that's very "dry", it sure is beautifully shot almost like a Terrence Malick movie, in terms of the floating camera movement.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
icotzabbJul 3, 2021
It pains me to say that despite beautiful visuals and fascinating story, the film oversteps the boundaries of creative liberties vs historical accuracy. I do realize films have to do that at times, but its pretty disturbing in this case.It pains me to say that despite beautiful visuals and fascinating story, the film oversteps the boundaries of creative liberties vs historical accuracy. I do realize films have to do that at times, but its pretty disturbing in this case. Again i say this with dissapointment and no malice… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
wheeelertronFeb 3, 2021
The potential here for an educational and worthy tribute to the key players of the 1939 excavation of Sutton Hoo has been somewhat squandered by mid-production rejigging and the addition of parallel romantic storylines and refocus away fromThe potential here for an educational and worthy tribute to the key players of the 1939 excavation of Sutton Hoo has been somewhat squandered by mid-production rejigging and the addition of parallel romantic storylines and refocus away from the central story of a landowner and her hired assistants digging for treasure, and finding it, against the clock, partially in battle with the archeological establishment and with her young son looking on with fascination, all set under the wide and beautifully shot Suffolk skies...why was that not enough?

Buffini's script is sharp and the acting of high quality, especially Fiennes who plays his character with significant depth, intrigue and an apparent impeccable accent, and as the cinematography and gentle score gained momentum I was even almost able to forgive a moment of difficult-to-believe drama early on as I settled in to learn more about these characters and what they were about to unearth, only to have them sidelined by a number of other narrative threads that began to dominate the second half, leaving the original focus of the film neglected, it's conclusion rushed and much detail lost (or possibly even cut, as I suspect studio interference in an attempt to make the film more mainstream/easily-marketed)

The result is, to some extent, an unsatisfactory narrative mess which, along with other production problems, goes some way towards ruining a project that still manages to achieve significant merit, interest and delight and I'm sure will be enjoyed by a wide audience, hopefully eventually in a proper cinematic release (and possibly with, as I argue for here, a writer-and-director-led recut!)… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
imdbsupportFeb 11, 2021
In a film defined by understatement, it’s the little details that matter.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
DeralacJul 18, 2023
The acting was solid, the directing was mostly good and the writing was decent. There were too many scenes of characters doing random mundane activities while music played e.g. walking. Outside of those the story flowed well. The kid wasThe acting was solid, the directing was mostly good and the writing was decent. There were too many scenes of characters doing random mundane activities while music played e.g. walking. Outside of those the story flowed well. The kid was annoying, but otherwise all the primary characters had depth and the performances were decent. I particularly enjoyed Ralph Fiennes and Lily James. Carey Mulligan was good too. Early in the movie Mr. Brown was in danger and I was genuinely concerned for the character. It dawned on me how quickly I had been compelled to care about this fictional character. Kudos. I thought Lily James did a great job non-verbally conveying the struggle her character was facing.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
CarlElmoreNov 24, 2022
An interesting story with good performances but the film definitely drags for a good portion of it.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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