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. 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. a b c d e "2021 EE British Academy Film Awards: The Nominations". www.bafta.org. 9 March 2021. Archived from the original on 28 August 2022 . Retrieved 11 March 2021. Kit, Borys (5 September 2019). "Lily James to Join Carey Mulligan in Netflix Period Drama 'Dig' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019 . Retrieved 15 November 2019.

This could have been a great movie, if director Stone had just worked with what actually happened. Naturally, staff of the local museum wanted to direct the excavation, as did staff of the British museum. There was an inquest to decide the ownership of the find. World War II was (literally) about to begin. A perfect 90-minute movie. However, it ended up being a less-than-perfect 105 minute movie. Brueggemann, Tom (8 February 2021). " 'Malcolm & Marie' Soars at Netflix as 'Greenland' Continues to Score at a Premium VOD Price". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021 . Retrieved 15 February 2021.

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I had never heard of the archeological dig in Sutton Hoo, so that made "The Dig" even more of a treat. Focusing on both the excavation of Anglo-Saxon artifacts and the relationship between the digger (Ralph Fiennes) and the landowner (Carey Mulligan), the movie has a lot in store. The setting on the eve of World War II further raises the stakes. The acting was comprehensive and Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan were really quite brilliant(and I not a fan of the latter after that terrible body part movie, Never Let Me Go). I'm not sure I was left convinced by the formal interactions, and the ever-so clipped accents, we were in 1939, and serfdom disappeared some years ago! Whilst good there is no Oscar here as neither provided sufficient range within their roles. The film runs under 2 hours, and it would have only required adding another 5-10 minutes to fully integrate Peggy into the story - Peggy is at a crossroads in her young life and her marriage to a man not interested in women forecasts a gloomy future - She gets sage advice from Edith Pretty (Mulligan) on seizing the day (and not to make the same mistakes she made).

And then it suddenly switched to a bizarre love story between two characters who didn't feature in the first half at all. No relevance to the dig or anything really from the first part. Very disappointing and confusing. There could have been so much to work with but they simply decided to forget it all as a footnote and focus on something else entirely. The treasures, the inquest, the relationship between Fiennes and Mulligan - felt like I'd been cheated. Edith Preddy (Carey Mulligan) surveys the landscape of Sutton Hoo in the Netflix original film "The ... [+] Dig." Netflix

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Brunning, Sue (23 April 2021). "Excavating The Dig". Sloan Science & Film. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021 . Retrieved 23 April 2021. There are also several strands to the relationships between all invloved too, including working relationships, family relationships, class and secret relationships. This is without question the Best Picture of the Year, and I am thankful this beautiful film came in at the last possible minute to save an otherwise (and understandable) blah year in the film industry. The Dig is actually not a very earthy film, though there is intelligence and sensitivity and a good deal of English restraint and English charm, thoroughly embodied by the fine leading performers Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes. But the passions mostly stay buried, and the movie is disconcertingly structured in such a way that we are first asked to invest in these two intriguingly complex personalities, but then – just when their emotions might get disinterred – the focus shifts to a younger pair with more obvious romantic potential, played by Johnny Flynn and Lily James. Mulligan and Fiennes look like two characters who have been written out of their own soap opera. This doesn’t stop The Dig being engaging, and with a beautiful sense of landscape.

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.

This movie started out well enough, with amazing performances by Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan, but unfortunately it gets bogged down by the introduction of various characters and unnecessary and excessive focus on their relationships. to all involved in 'The Dig' - the film is a treat for the eyes - the acting superior - production execution excellent - it is 2020's Best Picture by classic film making standards, despite being the biggest Oscar snub of the 2021 Academy Awards.