The elegance in The Dig lies in what it says about the continuity of life rather than the finality of death.

It's remarkably moving. By Jupiter, I even cried by the end.

This bittersweet tale of the unearthing of the Sutton Hoo treasures on the eve of the second world war has gentle charm to spare.

At its best, The Dig transcends the clichés of typical British costume drama and lays bare the feelings that its protagonists are all trying so hard to hide.