The Dig - A Netflix Movie Review

You never know what is buried right under our feet.

The Dig is a 2021 Netflix film based on true events. Archeologists unearth Sutton Hoo, a ship, from the soils of the land in 1938. It is not an easy process. During the dig, health concerns and a love story happens.

I doubted that I was going to enjoy The Dig. It was very wrong of me to think like that because it is a mind-opening story. This film encases a true account of historians digging out a ship from the terrain. Including several different narratives, The Dig achieves a challenging tale along with impactful lessons.

The cast of The Dig was exceptional. Paying respects to the real figures who were involved, they brought this story to its deserved attention. The Dig is not just about the ship being found. It is about people. At first, I didn’t feel that all the subplots were necessary, but that criticism changed in a heartbeat. Just like the ship we all have a story that needs to be told.

Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes were the highlights as Edith Pretty and Basil Brown. Their honest portrayals were impressive, notably Fiennes. Until now, Basil Brown was never given the recognition that he deserved for his work on the extraction on the ship. Brown worked endlessly to exhume Sutton Hoo.

Mulligan’s performances was especially noteworthy. She did a great job manifesting pain. Discovering that she may not have enough time left, Edith lives life to the fullest. Her devotion to her young son was meaningful.

Lily James’ performances as Peggy has become my favorite role of hers. It was different. Because women in the 30s did not have a lot of options, she proved the masculine eyes wrong. We all have our own pathways.

Other credits include Johnny Flynn, Stephen Warrell, Danny Webb, Archie Barnes, Ben Chaplin, and Monica Dolan. Everyone had a purpose. Even Barnes who I was expecting to be a child who got in the way. Finding out that his mother is in bad health, Barnes does a fantastic job in an emotional outburst that we can all relate to.

The cinematography was so rich. The camera capturing beautiful location shots of fields, mansions, or the excursion of the ship. Taking place in Suffolk, England, it is an excellent representation of English culture.

Simon Stone directed The Dig with earnestness and integrity. Everything from the editing, cinematography, and paying respects to history, The Dig has become one of my new favorite films. Stone’s patience delivered a story from history.

I felt like I learned something about archeology. I wanted to somehow climb through my TV screen into the movie and join them on their dig. It is not an easy process. And it is also a danger. The Dig highlights every moment of what the life of an archeologist is like. Movies that explore careers gift audiences with new choices.

The Dig demonstrates how we don’t do certain things for the sake of it. Don’t forget why you want it begun. It is okay to fail. That is all a part of life. Despite the difficulties, excavating the ship unleashed secrets from the past.

The film may be a bit slow, taking its time to get into the story, but I was invested at every moment. We get to know the characters, their desires, but most importantly, we learn about this ship. Sutton Hoo is a landmark in history.

Find The Dig on Netflix and give it a watch. I would watch it again. It is an entertaining drama with an impactful message.