Review of Burke & Hare (1972) by Pete G — 24 Mar 2011
I really, really wanted to like this. I love pretty much all of the cast and I'm a big fan of the director - but this was ... really bad.
We watched in total silence for about 40 minutes before we admitted we weren't enjoying it and turned it off.
The subject matter is too dark (and too TRUE) to be used in this comedy fashion - early on we watched Bruke and Hare actually murdering an old, defenseless man and it was apparent the film intended us to laugh at this. It just felt wrong; if this had been directed as a gothic horror with moments of levity it would've worked great, but as slapstick it felt inappropriate.
Also, the cast were all clean and with perfect teeth. In the 1820s. Bitch, please. And speaking of the cast, it just felt like one long parade of cameos and Spaced-connections, rather than as though anyone had been cast for their actual ability or rightness for the role. Are there no more Scottish or Irish people left to play the parts of the Scottish or Irish?! Every accent we encountered was badly done.
Total disappointment.
This review of Burke & Hare (1972) was written by Pete G on 24 Mar 2011.
Burke & Hare has generally received mixed reviews.
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