The Dig
NetflixBased on a true story and adapted by Moira Buffini from John Preston’s 2007 novel of the same name, NETFLIX’s The Dig depicts the 1939 Sutton Hoo archaeological excavation in Suffolk, England. On the brink of the Second World War, archaeologists around Britain are working diligently to finish their digs and brace themselves and their museum artifacts from potential bombing destruction. Meanwhile Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan), a widowed mother of one, enlists the help of amateur archaeologist Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes) to excavate a series of mysterious mounds on her land.
While not formally trained, the humble and diligent Brown proves the worth of the knowledge he gained from his grandfather and wins over Pretty and her young son. Along with some helping hands, including Pretty’s cousin Rory (Johnny Flynn), Brown soon uncovers the remains of what may be a Viking ship. News of the ship attracts officials from the nearby Ipswich Museum and the prestigious British Museum in London, adding the characters of archaeologists Stuart (Ben Chaplin) and Peggy (Lily James) Piggot, and Charles Phillips (Ken Stott) to the crowd.
Phillips, an elitist archaeologist from the British Museum, quickly commandeers the excavation, adamant that the ship is from the Viking era. Basil Brown butts heads with Phillips, insisting that the ship is actually Anglo-Saxon and therefore much older than Phillips believes. Brown struggles with losing control of the site, worried his name will be erased from the discovery. Meanwhile, Edith Pretty quietly suffers from an undiagnosed medical issue, worried about potentially leaving behind her son Robert (Archie Barnes). Much of the other characters have side stories too. Peggy develops feelings for Rory – complicated by his entry into the RAF, while her husband Stuart prefers the company of his male colleagues. The young Robert even goes through a small coming of age arc, eager to participate in the dig.
While it seems like there is an overwhelming amount of subplots in The Dig, they all tie back to one another as the unearthed ship becomes the backdrop for a deeper theme. As the characters begin to grasp how ancient and important this archaeological find is, they start to question their own human existence. One of them even asks “If a thousand years were to pass in an instance, what would be left of us?” Legacy takes over as The Dig’s central theme, each of the characters want to be remembered in the Sutton Hoo discovery. Pretty argues with Phillips over where the artifacts will be housed, Brown wants his name to be attached to the excavation, and Rory takes photographs at each stage of the dig. As more of the ship is excavated, the more The Dig’s characters realise how small they are in the context of time and become desperate to memorialise themselves through the discovery.
Great actors are necessary to pull off such intricate themes and fortunately they all come through, especially Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes. Even though Edith Pretty simply serves as the excavation’s benefactor, Mulligan ensures that her character feels integral. She is ever present, always there to listen to Brown describe his findings and brave enough to stand up to Phillips. Fiennes plays Brown in a much more subtle way, bringing something new each time he reappears on screen. He makes Brown to be an endearing character that one would want to stand behind. Fiennes and Mulligan easily portray a deep connection between their characters; while there is not much dialogue between Edith and Basil, their tender emotions beautifully convey their friendship.
Director Simon Stone ensures that the technical aspects of The Dig mirror its historical nature. Muted tones reflect the shifting dirt and gray skies, encompassing both the past and hinting towards the upcoming war. While the multitude of wide landscape shots of the mounds help tie the characters to the dig. Stone also tries to bring forth the connection between the past and present by meshing opposing scenes together, though these sequences sometimes become too confusing to follow. The friendship between Pretty and Brown also overshadows the fledging relationship between Peggy and Rory. There are too many points where Stone drifts away from the history into a tired romance drama, though he manages to soon find the way back. There are also themes of classism that get left unexplored, as the British Museum has a reputation of upper-class elitism. This is only shown in passing when Phillips and Brown clash.
Despite some minor issues, The Dig remains a compelling piece of cinema because it wonderfully encompasses the fleetingness of morality. With its philosophical exploration, tender relationships, and archaeological marvels, The Dig has something intriguing for all sorts of viewers. It’s a shame that it’s destined to be lost in the cavern of past NETFLIX releases.