Simon Pegg talks Burke and Hare, promises some gruesome stuff

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

The last time we brought you a BURKE AND HARE update, I was somewhat voicing my displeasure about the project. Not sure if it’s the period setting, the fact John Landis hasn’t rocked a dope narrative flick in what seems like eons, or simply my lack of exposure to the film that was causing such a feeling. Whatever the case may be, looks like I’m changing my tune here today folks. Straight flip flopping. You see, star Simon Pegg shot the shite with the fine folk of Empire and dished a few sweet details about the movie that have made me reconsider. Well, for now anyway…

Based on the true story about the famous murderers, ‘Burke And Hare’ follows the hapless exploits of these two men as they fall into the highly profitable business of providing cadavers for the medical fraternity in Nineteenth Century Edinburgh, then the centre of medical learning. The one thing they were short of was bodies.

Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis are the titular off-beats, and according to Pegg:

“It’s about two guys who murder for money but you’re encouraged to like them and be on their side. It’s interesting morally because it challenges the audience’s perception of who they are. It’s light-hearted but there’s a very dark, unsettling truth at the heart of it.”

Ah, laughable chaps doing dastardly deeds…always a recipe for success!

But what about the level of violence in a Victorian Gothic?

“The gore comes more from the medical side, when they hand over the bodies, but yeah, you see to pretty gruesome stuff.”

Biology 101, huh? I can party like that, crazy incisions, gory biopsies and whatnot. I now wholeheartedly accept the invitation! How about you?

BURKE AND HARE’S female lead, Isla Fisher!