Product Details

• Actors: Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis, Isla Fisher, Tom Wilkinson, Jessica Hynes
• Directors: John Landis
• Writers: Piers Ashworth, Nick Moorcroft
• Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO
• DVD Release Date: December 20, 2011
• Run Time: 92 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B005NHZAE6
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,783 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

William Burke (Simon Pegg, Shaun of the Dead) and William Hare (Andy Serkis, Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Lord of the Rings trilogy) luck into some easy money when they discover they can sell a fresh cadaver to Dr. Knox (Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton, The Ghost Writer) at Edinburgh Medical College for dissection.  After somehow producing another corpse to sell, Burke and Hare suddenly find themselves in a lucrative if unsavory business.  However, the next cadaver is not quite so easy to obtain, and when word gets out of how profitable the trade is, the duo find themselves blackmailed and in dire need of more bodies.  Murder is not a laughing matter, but then again, this is the 1820's.  Co-starring Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers) and directed by John Landis (An American Werewolf in London, Animal House), who returns to feature films after more than a decade to helm this dark, grisly comedy, based on an entirely true story.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Quality Production & Interpretation of History December 27, 2011

By G. Teslovich

Format:DVD

Attention to detail is usually a quick indicator of overall quality in a product and this rendition of the infamous 1820s Burke and Hare, Edinburgh murders began with quality performances from a great cast and continues with the authenticity of the setting, costuming and props. You truly feel as if you are a cohort with our medical supply entrepreneurs as they roam those streets looking to supply the local medical institutions. Historically accurate as their business was particularly lucrative given the increased demand for, and declining supply of - their product.

It is a comedic interpretation in every way possible from slapstick to high humor to incompetence. It is also dark given the people chosen to be dispatched with and the methods used. At times you feel sympathetic toward Burke and Hare and at times disgust at the complicity at all levels of society - with money often the source of "looking the other way".

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A very very true dark comedy about two grave robbers turned mass murderers in 19th century Scotland. Funny and dark. I say B October 27, 2011

By Tony Heck

Format:DVD

"I have got enough money put aside to start our new business...funeral parlors." This is the very funny true story about Burke (Pegg) and Hare (Serkis). They started off as simple grave robbers trying to make a living in Scotland in the 19th century. When an opportunity that is more lucrative comes along they jump at the chance. The job - providing cadavers to "teachers" around the city. The thing that gets them into trouble is how they find the cadavers. This is an extremely dark comedy that makes you laugh at things you should not laugh at. The plot of the movie deals with two guys who go around killing people for money. The fact that Simon Pegg is the main star is the reason I watched this to start. The supporting cast is also fantastic, but the movie on it's own is pretty entertaining and worth a watch. While not as funny as "Shaun Of The Dead", it does have that type of should I laugh at this quality to it. The best way I can describe it would be a comedy along the lines of "Sweeney Todd". If you like that movie you will like this one, no singing and more laughs. Overall, worth a watch, unless you are easily offended. I give it a B.

*Also try - Lucky & Sweeney Todd

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Comical Satire or John Landis' Return to the Big Screen April 15, 2012

By tvtv3 TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Before watching BURKE AND HARE, I had never heard of the notorious murderers and grave robbers, Burke and Hare. I rented the movie because it stars Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis, and Isla Fisher, and marks John Landis return to movie directing (he hadn't directed a major motion picture since 1998). Pegg plays William Burke and Serkis portrays William Hare. Burke and Hare are a couple of immigrants to Scotland from Ireland. They've done all sorts of odd jobs to stay afloat, but are running out of money. After their latest scheme fails, they return home, excited at the prospect of collecting the rent money from one of their boarders. However, upon returning home Hare's wife, Lucky, informs him that they won't get any money because the boarder died. They attempt to dispose of the body, but then learn that Dr. Robert Knox (Tom Wilkinson) at the Edinburgh Medical College is in need of bodies for his work. So, Burke and Hair bring the body to the College and are a paid a nice sum with the promise of more if they can bring more bodies. Knox is a great surgeon but all the "sanctioned" bodies are being used across town at Edinburgh's other medical school by Dr. Monro (Tim Curry) so Knox is in great need. Hare thinks they've found their next business because Edinburgh is full of people just waiting to die, but who just need a little help. Burke isn't so sure and is conflicted by the whole enterprise. Then Burke meets Ginny Hawkins (Isla Fisher), a performer who wants to launch the first full-female cast of Shakespeare's MacBeth. Sensing a possible way to keep meeting Ginny, Burke agrees to finance her production and, thus, the killings continue.

BURKE AND HARE is a dark satirical comedy. The title characters are murderers, but the script really makes one sympathize with them. For instance, in this film, Burke doesn't enjoy killing, but he needs money because he loves Ginny and the only way he can spend any time with her is by producing her play. Hare isn't quite as likeable, but is more of a lovable fop. Landis has said in an interview that he imagined the duo being an evil Laurel and Hardy and that's a good description of how they come off in this movie. There's a lot of layers of comedy from pure physical sight gags and slapstick to more subtle humor and witty wordplay.

All of the actors give great performances (it was nice to see Tim Curry restrained for a change). The sets and costumes are period perfect. You really get the feel of what 1828 Edinburgh, Scotland must have been like.

I enjoyed BURKE AND HARE. It was one of those rare video treasures. It caught my eye on the shelf at the local video store and I figured that with Pegg and Serkis and Landis directing, it couldn't be too bad. It was a delight. There have been some comparisons of this film to AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON. That movie was a horror movie. BURKE AND HARE is not. BURKE AND HARE is a comical satire that just happens to revolve around two infamous murderers. If you spend a couple hours with BURKE AND HARE, you won't be disappointed.

The DVD includes a lot of extras including interviews with all the stars, bloopers, a look at the behind the scenes, trailer, and more.