In recent times John Landis has somewhat been in the wilderness in delivering feature length films (as he has been sticking to TV shows or documentaries with his last film coming out in 1998), but the British produced "Burke and Wills" was a welcoming return to the comedy sub- genre. So another attempt at this infamous story of Edinburgh's most infamous murderers? Where Landis takes a horrific legendary tale of corpse snatching, mass murdering and scientific medicine to make a genuinely humorous and fruitful black comedy led by the animated performances of Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis, Isla Fisher and Tom Wilkinson as Dr Robert Knox. Edinburgh, 1825. Burke and Hare are two cohorts looking to make a quid, where they discover they're on a gold mine when they come about a dead body which one doctor Knox would pay very well for his work. To come across more the two arrange a series of deadly accidents, but while easy at first with the money coming in they begin to realise it's a lot harder to set in motion and soon a downward spiral begins. It's conventional in its laughs and very much has Landis signature touches throughout. From references to cameos and then the visual slap-stick gags. Period setting, costumes and set-designs are richly detailed. The at death's door story is sharp and characterised by it's punchy script, but it can languish in some wearing sub-plots that simply go round in circles and you feel it could gone a little more further in its approach of the material. Nonetheless it perfectly captures the inner struggle of right and wrong of one of its protagonist, the ironic chain of events that would follow and it's a fun enterprise with the perfectly nailed buddy combination between Pegg and Serkis. Watching these two together scheming were the best moments of the film. While their actions are appalling, you can't help but find them appealing. Also co-starring is Tim Curry, Jessica Hynes (who's enthusiasm stands-out), Michael Smiley, Ronnie Corbett and Bill Bailey contributing to the narration as the hangmen. Then you got the likes of Christopher Lee, Paul Whitehouse, Ray Harryhausen and Jenny Agutter in bit parts.
"This is thirsty work"
"This is thirsty work"