10 Movies To Watch If You Liked The Dig | ScreenRant
Netflix's 2021 period drama The Dig reimagines the historical excavation of Sutton Hoo in 1938, which uncovered parts of an Anglo-Saxon ship and other remanents from the seventh century. The film is based on the 2007 novel by John Preston of the same name.
Many movie-goers were charmed by the period drama's historical significance and romantic appeal. Although, critics have pointed out various aspects of the film to be historically inaccurate, like character age. Otherwise, director Simon Stone's second feature film was widely applauded, so here are ten similar films to watch next.
10 Ammonite (2020)
Francis Lee's romance/drama period piece shares a lot of qualities with The Dig including an ailing mother, archeology, and a flair for romance. Kate Winslet stars as paleontologist Mary Anning who sells fossils. She eventually receives a job offer from Roderick Hutchinson (James McArdle) to care for his sick wife Charolette (Saoirse Ronan).
Ammonite is set in an earlier time period, the early 1800s, and brings audiences to the coast of Lyme Regis, England, a hotspot for Jurassic findings. However, it's similar to The Dig through its complex characters and visceral footage of landscapes and nature. Ammonite wasn't as viral or acclaimed as Stone's picture but should appeal to a moviegoer in similar ways.
9 A Passage To India (1984)
Director David Lean's adaptation of the 1924 novel of the same name by E.M. Foster is a drama/epic of exploration, political strife, and betrayal. Judy Davis stars as Adela Quested, an English tourist exploring the Marber Caves with Dr. Aziz Ahmad (Victor Banerjee), an Indian. Afterward, Quested accuses Dr. Ahmed of rape in court, exacerbating tensions between the British Empire and the Indian independence movement.
Certainly, A Passage to India is more dramatic and heavy than the plot of The Dig, highlighting issues of racial inequality and political unrest in that section of the world at the portrayed time period.
8 The Theory Of Everything (2014)
This Stephen Hawking biopic recollects the unconventional life of the cosmology pioneer. The majority of the film is set at Cambridge University in the 1960s, tracing the evolution of his romantic relationship with Jana Wilde (Felicity Jones), who has spoken out against the portrayal of her thirty-year marriage to Hawking (Eddie Redmayne), saying she was deeply irritated with parts of their shared lives that were cut and other inaccuracies regarding their separation.
Despite shortcomings in the eyes of Hawking and Wilde after the biopic's release, The Theory of Everything was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards and Redmayne brought home an Oscar for Best Actor. Like The Dig, this period piece entangles science and romance to make for a rich watch.
7 The Pyramid (2014)
The Pyramid is a horror/adventure film centered around a crew of archeologists as they uncover a pyramid that has been buried beneath the Egyptian desert for 5,000 years. Once they enter the ancient structure all hell breaks loose, as the team battles through booby traps, evil spirits and utter terror.
This flick certainly contrasts with the elegance and ease of the more-sophisticated The Dig. However, viewers who found the 2021 film's archeology as its main attraction should have fun with The Pyramid. Although the horror/adventure was rebuked by critics, American Horror Story fans may enjoy the inclusion of Denis O'Hare, a frequent villain in the anthology series.
6 The Lost City Of Z (2016)
This adventure/drama film boasts a stunning cast in Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson and Tom Holland. Director James Gray also wrote the script for the film, which follows British explorer Percy Fawcett as he traverses through the Amazon Rainforest in the early 20th century. Lost City of Z may not have the romance or emotional depth of The Dig but shares its depictions of social hierarchy in the sciences as well as the thrill of discovery.
Although the film didn't light the box office on fire by any means, its enthusiastic reception from both audiences and critics make it one of the better period-piece adventures of the decade. It's based on the 2009 novel by David Grann.
5 The Constant Gardner (2005)
Those who enjoyed Ralph Fiennes' performance in The Dig should turn to one of his most notable roles in this thriller/mystery. Fiennes plays Justin Quayle, a diplomat who relocates to Kenya with his wife Tessa (Rachel Weisz). Quayle's world is flipped upside down when his wife is murdered under mysterious circumstances, putting Quayle on a vicious pursuit for truth, justice, and his wife's honor.
The adrenaline and tragedy in director Fernando Meirelles' celebrated film encourage Fiennes' versatility as a lead. The Constant Gardner was nominated for four Academy Awards but only won Best Supporting Actress for Weisz's performance.
4 The Well-Digger's Daughter (2011)
Aside from being concerned with the literal act of excavating the ground, The Well-Digger's Daughter shares the familial, naturistic, and romantic depths of The Dig. The romance/drama tells the story of a Frenchman (Daniel Auteuil) whose public honor is threatened when his daughter gets entangled with the rich son of a shopkeeper.
While starring in the film, Daniel Auteuil also directed, making Well-Digger's Daughter his directorial debut after acting in the industry for decades. His debut didn't reach as large of an audience as The Dig but was similarly approved by critics, according to its 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
3 Becoming Jane (2007)
This biopic recollects the life of English novelist Jane Austen, who wrote six novels — including the literary classic Pride and Prejudice — until dying in 1917. Anne Hathaway stars as Austen in the film, which retells the writer's romantic struggles as the daughter of a financially prosperous family. Her parents expect her to marry the nephew of Lady Gresham (Maggie Smith) who is held in similarly high-regard amongst wealthy elites.
Nevertheless, Austen finds herself falling for a poor but well-spoken apprentice lawyer (James McAvoy). Although Becoming Jane takes place in an earlier time period, it should be a worthy watch for fans of the Netflix film's history and romantic elements.
2 The Hunt For The Hidden Relic (2002)
The Hunt for the Hidden Relic is an epic three-hour thriller/fantasy from Germany. Steffen is the film's main character who journeys to a German archeological excavation in Egypt where curious video footage of Jesus Christ has been uncovered. According to a note held by a 2,000-year-old skeleton, the footage was taken by a time traveler, and Steffen and his team attempt to untangle the mystery
The fantastical film didn't make much noise in the states but garnered relatively positive reviews based on its 72% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is alternately titled Das Jesus Video. Certainly, The Dig is a much different film but The Hunt for the Hidden Relic could offer some fantasy fun for those interested in archeology.
1 There Will Be Blood (2007)
Director Paul Thomas Anderson's filmography encapsulates a wide variety of genres and historical periods, but There Will Be Blood stands out as his best film. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis as the ruthless petroleum businessman Daniel Plainview. The British-American epic is set in Little Boston, WA., and consists of religious questions, a historical strike by oil-workers, and the trials and tribulations of building an oil empire worth a fortune.
Day-Lewis and Paul Dano's 'balls-to-the-wall' dramatic performances are passionate and gripping, ascending the film past the typical period-drama. There Will Be Blood earned numerous nominations at the Academy Awards, winning Best Actor for Day-Lewis' performance as well as for Best Cinematography.
from ScreenRant - Feed
Join Our Email Newsletter Now!
Join over 1,897 people who get free and fresh content delivered automatically each time we publish.
