Watch Burke and Hare

Burke and Hare is a British black comedy film from 2010, directed by John Landis and written by Piers Ashworth and Nick Moorcroft. The movie is based on the true story of two infamous murderers from the early 19th century, William Burke and William Hare, who sold corpses to doctors for dissection in Edinburgh, Scotland. The film stars Simon Pegg as William Burke and Andy Serkis as William Hare, and features a talented ensemble cast including Tom Wilkinson, Tim Curry, Isla Fisher, and Bill Bailey.

The story of Burke and Hare begins with the two men struggling to make a living in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1827. Burke and Hare are both opportunistic and somewhat amoral characters who are always looking for a way to make a quick profit. They hit upon the idea of selling corpses to Dr. Robert Knox, a renowned anatomist who is always in need of fresh cadavers for his research. In their quest for bodies, Burke and Hare become grave robbers, and then escalate to full-blown murder when they realize they can make more money by killing people themselves.

The film is not for everyone, as it contains some graphic scenes of violence and humor centered around death and dissection. However, it is also a clever and funny satire that pokes fun at the Victorian era medical establishment and the Scottish society. Burke and Hare are presented not as monsters, but as ordinary men who stumble upon a profitable scheme and become increasingly desperate to maintain their lucrative business. The film features many standout performances, including those by Bill Bailey, Tom Wilkinson, and Michael Smiley.

Bailey plays the role of Joseph, a nervous and bumbling salesman who provides Burke and Hare with fresh bodies to sell to Dr. Knox. Wilkinson plays the role of Dr. Knox himself, a pompous and aloof scientist who is more interested in the specimens brought to him than in the source of the cadavers. Smiley plays the role of a shady underworld figure who helps Burke and Hare dispose of their victims' bodies.

The film is shot in a very authentic and atmospheric style, with most of the action taking place in the dark and narrow alleyways of Edinburgh's Old Town. The costumes and sets are also impressive, recreating the historic backdrop of 19th century Edinburgh with accuracy and detail. Landis injects a lot of black humor and wit into the film, making it an enjoyable and often hilarious journey.

Overall, Burke and Hare is a darkly entertaining film that is sure to appeal to fans of black comedy and period dramas. It is not without its flaws, but the strong performances, clever writing, and impressive production values make it a worthwhile viewing experience. The film may not be for everyone, but those who appreciate this genre will find it to be an entertaining and worthwhile addition to their movie collection.

Burke and Hare is a 2011 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 46.