Netflix’s The Dig – A Glorified History Lesson (Early Review)

Let’s just get this out of the way at the beginning…

I dug The Dig but had to work hard to do so and not for the reasons that would seem obvious at first glance – a period piece based on a true story starring Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan.

The Dig tells the story of one of the largest and most significant archeological discoveries in English history with the excavation of Sutton Hoo Manor that lead to the find of Anglo-Saxon artifacts dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries. The film focuses on the land’s proprietor, Ms. Edith Pretty (Mulligan) who employs a local excavator, Basil Brown (Fiennes), to begin digging on her property after suspecting there is more than meets the eye to her land. What follows is an adventure of discovery as the two begin to realize the historical importance of their shared journey but it is quickly muddled by the country’s injection of professional archeologists all while in the early shadows of a looming second World War.

The film’s premise is simple and the characters never truly feel 3-Dimensional, specifically with the roles that Fiennes and Mulligan occupy, which felt like parts each would’ve played earlier in their careers to build their portfolio but should be well behind them now. As fantastic as both of them are, they do very little to elevate this script and story to become anything more than a glorified history lesson. And therein lies the biggest issue with The Dig.

For a story whose factual events are compelling and intriguing, the film never seemed to capture the full weight of its historical importance. It is in the research that took place after the credits rolled where viewers could find a  fulfilling story complete with characters that experienced hardship, death, denial, and danger – all themes for which The Dig flirts with but never fully succumbs to. Actors play the role they are given, the script is serviceable, and the subplots help push the narrative along when the primary storyline becomes cumbersome. The drama and attraction of the film lie beyond the screen and is where it was the most captivating. Truthfully, that journey will not be for everyone and it should be the purpose of the film to execute this vision so its viewers can understand this concept without having to turn towards the history books for the complete story, and still, the film was not a poor effort in storytelling, but rather a lukewarm homage to a historical figure that deserved to have his story told. Of course, this isn’t revealed until the caption in the closing moments but is nonetheless the ideal reason for the film’s existence.

The Dig is a decent effort in showing an important moment in history but it chose to omit some of its more fascinating details in favor of focusing on the mounting tension of an entire country that is dragged onto the world’s stage and thrust into a war with another country. It’s an omnipresent concept that helps shape the importance of the actual dig as many race to complete it before being called into action and in truth, offers the fragments of a more alluring movie. Nevertheless, Fiennes, Mulligan, and James as Peggy Piggott offer their best and deliver nondecorative performances but the overall enticement of the film lies in the details the film leaves out. Still, when the two pieces come together, the full story is something that is unforgettable.

still courtesy of Netflix

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