Burke and Hare Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two guys in old-timey Scotland find the best way to fund an all-female *Macbeth* production is by ‘donating’ bodies to science…permanently.

🍿 Burke and Hare: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Burke and Hare

In 1820s Edinburgh, William Burke and William Hare are two ambitious but unsuccessful entrepreneurs. Desperate for money, they try various schemes that consistently fail, leaving them in dire financial straits. Their luck begins to change when one of their lodgers dies unexpectedly.

The Cadaver Business

Burke and Hare discover that Dr. Robert Knox, a prominent anatomist, is willing to pay a substantial sum for fresh corpses for his medical lectures. Recognizing a business opportunity, they start providing him with bodies. Initially, they resort to grave robbing, but the work is arduous and risky.

Escalation to Murder

Driven by greed and the demand for more bodies, Burke and Hare escalate their activities to murder. They target vulnerable individuals, ensuring their deaths leave no visible marks. As their business thrives, Burke becomes involved with Ginny, an aspiring actress, and promises to fund her all-female production of Macbeth.

The Law Closes In

Suspicion grows as people begin to disappear. The authorities, led by Captain McLintock, start investigating, becoming increasingly suspicious of Burke and Hare. As the pressure mounts, their partnership begins to fray, and the consequences of their actions become unavoidable.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• William Burke (Simon Pegg): A charismatic but conflicted Irishman who falls into grave robbing and murder to support his love interest’s theatrical ambitions.
• William Hare (Andy Serkis): Burke’s pragmatic and amoral partner, who is primarily motivated by financial gain and survival.
• Doctor Robert Knox (Tom Wilkinson): An ambitious anatomist who knowingly accepts illegally obtained corpses to further his medical research.
• Ginny Hawkins (Isla Fisher): An aspiring actress and Burke’s love interest, who dreams of staging an all-female production of Macbeth.
• Lucky (Jessica Hynes): Hare’s shrewd and opportunistic wife who is complicit in their illegal activities.
• Angus the Hangman (Bill Bailey): The film’s narrator, a hangman who provides a cynical commentary on the events unfolding.
• Doctor Monro (Tim Curry): Knox’s pompous rival, desperate to maintain his position in Edinburgh’s medical scene.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• William Burke: “I did it for love.” – Burke’s last words before being hanged, declaring his motivation for his crimes was to support Ginny’s theatrical aspirations.
• William Burke: “I had confidence in a fart once, and I shat all over myself.” – Burke shares his life lesson about the dangers of hubris to Hare

💰Box Office

• Budget: £7,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,833
• Worldwide Gross: $4,791,599

💥 Burke and Hare Reviews

Personal Review

I really wanted to love this movie because I’m a big fan of Simon Pegg and dark humor. While it had its moments, it felt a bit uneven. Some of the jokes landed perfectly, especially the ones involving the medical school rivalry, but other times it felt like it was trying too hard. I especially liked Jessica Hynes; she brought so much energy to her character! If you’re looking for a light-hearted and not-too-gory take on a dark story, this might be worth a watch.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of British black comedy”
  • “Viewers interested in historical crime stories”
  • “Fans of Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis”
  • “Those who enjoy films with dark humor and quirky characters”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Murder”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Some coarse language”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “Landis tries for an Ealing-esque dark comedy, and while the cast are game, the script’s hit-or-miss humour and slightly misjudged tone keep it from greatness. Pegg and Serkis make a solid double act, but it’s a case of good ingredients not quite gelling.
• The Guardian: “John Landis returns with a tale of body snatchers but the film is littered with obvious jokes and they all miss rather than hit their marks. Burke and Hare is a film in which the director seems to have forgotten how to make good films.
• BBC: “A macabre tale of Burke and Hare, the film’s biggest challenge was turning two mass murderers into characters you can follow, laugh with and have empathy for and the film does it really well. As Burke is talked into the business with Hare, there’s never the slightest feeling that his friend is purposefully leading him down a path to his own downfall

Audience Reactions

Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis’s chemistry made it enjoyable.: Viewers praised the film for its humor despite its dark themes

The quirky British humor appealed to some audiences.: The cast did well but the film lacked a good script

Overall Consensus: A darkly comedic take on the Burke and Hare story, with mixed reviews leaning towards a decent effort but with some saying the film is a complete failure in delivering dark humor.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the true story of William Burke and William Hare, who murdered 16 people in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1828 and sold their bodies to Dr. Robert Knox for dissection.”
• “John Landis had not directed a theatrical feature film in over a decade before making ‘Burke and Hare’.”
• “The film features numerous cameos from well-known British actors and comedians, including Ronnie Corbett, Christopher Lee, and Bill Bailey.”

🖥️ How to Watch Burke and Hare?

Currently, ‘Burke and Hare’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play Movies. Availability may vary depending on your region. Check your preferred streaming service for current options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Burke and Hare, you might like these similar films:

• The Body Snatcher (1945): Classic horror film based on a Robert Louis Stevenson story inspired by Burke and Hare, focusing on the grave robbing aspect and the moral implications.
• Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949): A dark comedy from Ealing Studios, similar to Burke and Hare in its macabre humor and exploration of murder, but with a focus on social satire.
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007): A more modern, musical take on similar themes of murder and body disposal for profit, with a dark comedic tone.

🛒 Burke and Hare Related Products

• Burke and Hare [Blu-ray]: Own the movie in stunning high-definition Blu-ray, complete with bonus features and behind-the-scenes content. Great for revisiting the dark humor.
• Anatomy Lab Corpse Puzzle 3D Human Torso Anatomy Model: A 3D anatomy model puzzle to display that allows you to build the anatomy of the human body. A perfect gift for medical enthusiast and those with a dark sense of humor.
• Vintage Medical Anatomical Chart Set: A set of vintage-style anatomical charts. Evoking the era and atmosphere depicted in ‘Burke and Hare’. Adds a touch of macabre sophistication to any room.
• Victorian Era Steampunk Goggles: These goggles allow you to add a touch of Victorian-era steampunk fashion to your wardrobe that are featured in the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Burke and Hare features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Scotland the Brave” – performed by Traditional
• “Macbeth musical score” – performed by composed for the all female Macbeth

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Burke and Hare – The Anatomy Murderers

Ever wondered how much of ‘Burke and Hare’ is true? This video dives into the *real* story behind the infamous duo, and honestly, it’s even more twisted than I expected! Definitely worth a watch if you want to know what actually happened.

✨ Rate