The dig is rushed because of the impending war, as what should be two years of work becomes one. Until recently Basil’s contribution was hardly noted in the documentation. She insists that Basil be credited in the discovery and these establishment figures not freeze him out of perhaps the greatest find of medieval history made in the 20th century in England. Phillips arrogantly pushes Basil and his local workers aside until Edith intervenes. They are led by the haughty Charles Phillips (Ken Stott) of the British Museum, and his annoying underling Stuart Piggott (Ben Chaplin) and his timorous wife Peggy (Lily James). The government authorities take over the dig with the sighting of the ship. On the largest mounds Basil discovers a ship from the 7th century (an 80’-long, wooden Anglo-Saxon ship) and figures there might also be a treasure trove nearby. The modest self-taught Basil Brown (Ralph Fienes), considered an amateur on archeological digs, is hired in 1939 by the prim and wealthy widow Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan) to investigate the burial mounds on her estate when the prominent Brit museums refuse to investigate. The novel, even if telling a true story, sometimes plays with the facts. It’s based on the 2007 novel by John Preston (which is based on the 1938-39 discovery of the Anglo-Saxon site of the ancient grave of Sutton Hoo, where a burial ship in Suffolk was extracted). We get great performances from Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan, gorgeous location shots of the English countryside and a nice history lesson. In the Simon Stone (“The Daughter”) genteel directed and co-written drama, the noted theater director does a decent job in handling it as a drama. “Great performances from Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan.” (director: Simon Stone screenwriters: Moira Buffini/based on a 2007 novel by John Preston cinematographer: Mike Eley editor: Jon Harris music: Stefan Gregory cast: Carey Mulligan (Edith Pretty), Ralph Fienes (Basil Brown), Ken Stott (Charles Phillips), Monica Dolan (May Brown), Paul Ready (James Reid Moir), Peter McDonald (Guy Maynard), Archie Barnes (Robert), Johnny Flynn (Rory Lomax), Lily James (Peggy), Archie Barnes (Robert), Ben Chaplin (Stuart Piggott) Runtime: 112 MPAA Rating: PG-13 producers: Ellie Wood/Murray Furguson/Gabrielle Tana/Carolyn Marks Blackwood Netflix 2021-UK)
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