Burke & Hare

R

Released Sep 9, 2011

1 hr. 31 min.

Comedy

Mystery & Thriller

List

32%

60 Reviews

Tomatometer

35%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Two 19th-century opportunists (Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis) become serial killers so that they can maintain their profitable business supplying cadavers to an anatomist (Tom Wilkinson).

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Critics Consensus

Marked by timid scares and flat-footed humor, Burke and Hare is a missed opportunity for its talented cast and a disappointing return for director John Landis.

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Red T

It's such a weird film. The main problems is the editing is subpar and almost none of the jokes are funny but out of place and weird with some subpar slapstick. This jumps around constantly with different subplots, the MacBeth show is so weird and pointless it could've been cut completely and the humor in general feels out of place but so does the story in general. I guess this could have potential as a dark comedy if it was funnier and more witty and focused with its script. This movie just has a very weird tone. Perhaps it should have been told from just one of the twos point of view. The cinematography isn't that good either because again its weighed down by the subpar humor even though the camerawork is solid and the sets/production value is excellent. It's just used in very bizarre ways that aren't funny and very weird. The acting is ok also, mainly again weighed down by gags that aren't really funny, no real witty dialogue, and once again bad humor that gets in the way of any charm of an All Star cast. The music is ok also and is generic and not used enough. This all gives way to subpar pacing as well. This isn't even 90 minutes without credits but it never feels fast at all and feels like its 20-30 minutes longer than it actually is because it never builds momentum because the humor gets in the way. This is a shame given the director and actors along with a dark idea of a plot. But I can't really recommend this to anyone except die hard fans of any actors in this. It's Not that Good.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is one my favorite comedy films, Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis were amazing in this movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

meh, but worth it to see British thespians like Sir Lee let loose

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Audience Member

Holy s***, what a load of nonsense. The good actors in this movie should be ashamed of themselves. The money spent making the murder of 16 people funny is the only thing "laughable" about this film.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

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norman l

Atmospheric, ironic, funny and in parts quite factual. Even a cameo by Christopher Lee.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Squandered potential and story.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/02/17

Full Review

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John Landis

Director

Simon Pegg

William Burke

Andy Serkis

William Hare

Isla Fisher

Ginny

Jessica Hynes

Lucky

Tom Wilkinson

Dr. Knox

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James Berardinelli

ReelViews

There’s probably enough material in the movie for a deliciously macabre short. Unfortunately, the padding dilutes the aspects that work without adding anything worthwhile.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 1, 2024

Full Review

Ty Burr

Boston Globe

Rarely has the ratio of quality talent to dismal returns been as high as in "Burke & Hare,'' a macabre British period piece that's nowhere near as funny as it thinks.

Rated: 1.5/4

Dec 1, 2011

Full Review

Bill Goodykoontz

Arizona Republic

"Burke and Hare" is a waste of a good cast and a better story, as well as a hollow reminder of how John Landis seemingly has lost his touch.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 27, 2011

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The film lacks any edge toward the material and assumes the subject (gore and dead bodies in abundance) will suffice, though it doesn’t.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 9, 2023

Full Review

James McMahon

NME (New Musical Express)

A much worse movie than you'd expect John Landis to turn in...

Rated: 2/5

May 20, 2021

Full Review

Brent McKnight

The Last Thing I See

"Burke and Hare" is funny and dark, and full of the quick, clever humor that you'd expect from two alums of "Spaced".

Rated: B-

Jul 11, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Two 19th-century opportunists (Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis) become serial killers so that they can maintain their profitable business supplying cadavers to an anatomist (Tom Wilkinson).

Director: John Landis
Executive Producer: James Spring, Tim Smith, Paul Brett, Peter Nichols, James Atherton, Jan Pace
Screenwriter: Piers Ashworth, Nick Moorcroft
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Prescience, Ealing Studios, Aegis Film Fund, Fragile Films, Quickfire Films
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Language|Disturbing Images)
Genre: Comedy, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 9, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $947

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