‘Emotional’ Netflix period drama The Other Bennet Sister fans will love | Films | Entertainment

A captivating period drama boasting some of Britain’s most celebrated actors is receiving considerable praise for its powerfully moving narrative, breathtaking visuals, and exceptional acting.

Helmed by Simon Stone, with a script penned by Moira Buffini and John Preston, this 2021 feature is based upon a novel of the same title written by Preston himself.

Upon its publication in 2007, The Dig was hailed as “a brilliantly realized account of the most famous archaeological dig in Britain in modern times”. Preston, who worked as a television critic, is the nephew of one of the people involved in the excavation itself.

The Dig revisits the extraordinary events surrounding the Sutton Hoo Excavation of 1939, which occurred in Suffolk, England.

Fronted by Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan in the leading roles, the pair are supported by a superb ensemble cast including Lily James, Johnny Flynn, Ben Chaplin, Ken Stott, Archie Barnes, and Monica Dolan.

The Dig enjoyed a limited cinema release from January 14 2021, before arriving on Netflix on January 29 of the same year. During its opening weekend alone, this ‘engrossing’ period drama soared to become the third-most watched title on the streaming service, attracting glowing reviews from both viewers and critics.

It also secured five BAFTA nominations, among them Outstanding British Film. The film’s official synopsis reads: “An excavator and his team discover a wooden ship from the Dark Ages while digging up a burial ground on a woman’s estate.”

The Dig boasts an impressive 88% critics’ approval rating on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.

One reviewer said of the film: “It’s really something when a film is not too concerned with the aesthetic but will find the beauty in discovery of one’s own. The Dig is a good picture, wonderfully acted (Ralph Fiennes is tremendous here), and an engrossing reimagining.”

Another said: “Don’t be fooled by the digging and the dirt, this Netflix feature is one of those rare hidden gems just waiting to be unearthed. Quintessentially English, full of charm and tenacity Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan put in star performances.”

Another critic added: “A rich array of subdued performances and exceptional handheld cinematography grace a delicately woven British period piece. A finely observed film made up of small, touching moments, The Dig is testament to the virtues of understated acting.”

While one particularly moved critic wrote: “It’s remarkably moving. By Jupiter, I even cried by the end.”

Viewers proved equally enchanted by the film, with one overwhelmed fan writing: “It is astonishing to me how much I enjoyed this movie. I typically dislike period pieces…especially British period pieces…but here we are. This exudes so much subtle emotion, atmosphere, and significance that I was pretty taken aback by how big this relatively small story feels.

“The juxtaposition between the marvel of their discovery and the horror of the inevitable war is very felt and the absolutely brilliant acting in The Dig breathes real life into every moment. I wouldn’t say this bowled me over with its story as it’s really quite simple, but it’s the pure humanity it was able to quietly pour over me that left me thoroughly impressed. Banger of a movie.”

A further thoroughly impressed viewer wrote: “I found the story moving and consequential. The acting was superb. Mulligen, Fiennes and James were outstanding. If you have visited the British Museum this movie/story will resonate and leave you searching for more details. It was an inspiring story.”

Meanwhile, another devoted fan said: “This isn’t my type of film usually, but I found it to be enchanting and captivating. Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes are excellent, as is the young lad . A window on a dangerous time but also captures the charm of England back then , when everyone had manners and everything was done with TLC.”

The Dig is currently available to stream on Netflix.