Carey Mulligan left ‘physically scarred’ recreating tragic landslide scenes for latest film The Dig

Carey Mulligan was left ‘physically scarred’ trying to save co-star Ralph Fiennes who was BURIED under clay as they recreated tragic landslide scenes for latest film The Dig

Carey Mulligan has recounted the true-to-life trauma she experienced filming scenes for her latest movie, The Dig.

In it, her character is tasked with attempting to save Ralph Fiennes, who is left buried alive under a landslide.

The story follows an archaeologist uncovering an Anglo-Saxon ship when natural disaster strikes.

Carey Mulligan has recounted the true-to-life trauma she experienced filming scenes for her latest movie, The Dig

Carey, 35, revealed how she was left physically scarred from the scenes and experienced real panic trying to save Ralph, 58. 

‘We were so exhausted that it matched exactly how exhausted you would be in real life, so nothing about it felt fake,’ she said in an interview with Total Film. ‘I kept saying to [the director], “I don’t like it , I don’t like the responsibility!”

‘It really was Ralph in every take, and he really was buried under that dirt. I’ve still got scars on my knuckles, and scratches. All the actors were thinking, “We’ve got to get Ralph out!” 

‘It was terrifying. His mouth was covered, and his nose was covered.’

In it, her character is tasked with attempting to save Ralph Fiennes, who is left buried alive under a landslide

In it, her character is tasked with attempting to save Ralph Fiennes, who is left buried alive under a landslide

Carey, 35, revealed how she was left physically scarred from the scenes and experienced real panic trying to save Ralph, 58

Carey, 35, revealed how she was left physically scarred from the scenes and experienced real panic trying to save Ralph, 58

Carey plays landowner Edith Pretty in the film which is set in Suffolk in 1939

Carey plays landowner Edith Pretty in the film which is set in Suffolk in 1939

Also speaking to the publication, Ralph added: ‘It wasn’t that I was being crushed by earth, but I remember just feeling really cold because I was surrounded by this damp, cold earth and clay.

‘I was more anxious they wouldn’t know where my face was, and would thrust their arm in… sort of punch me.’

Ralph portrays archaeologist Basil Brown and Carey plays landowner Edith Pretty in the film which is set in Suffolk in 1939.

Ralph portrays archaeologist Basil Brown

Ralph portrays archaeologist Basil Brown

The story follows an archaeologist uncovering an Anglo-Saxon ship when natural disaster strikes

The story follows an archaeologist uncovering an Anglo-Saxon ship when natural disaster strikes

'We were so exhausted that it matched exactly how exhausted you would be in real life, so nothing about it felt fake,' she said in an interview with Total Film. 'I kept saying to [the director], "I don't like it , I don't like the responsibility!"

‘We were so exhausted that it matched exactly how exhausted you would be in real life, so nothing about it felt fake,’ she said in an interview with Total Film. ‘I kept saying to [the director], “I don’t like it , I don’t like the responsibility!”

Based on real events, the latter funded the dig on her land in the late 1930s, believing something could be unearthed – leading to the discovery of the ship.

But the cave-in on the dig site causes disaster for the team.

The movie was shot in November 2019 on location in Godalming, Surrey, where a life-size replica of the site was built.

COVID-19 has stunted The Dig’s January cinema release and it will be on Netflix from January 29.