Burke and Hare

Burke and Hare (2010) is a Black Comedy based on the infamous Burke and Hare and their killing spree in 1820's Scotland. Follows the two as they help a doctor find "patients", an all female version of Macbeth get produced and all while trying to stay one step ahead of the militia. Directed by John Landis and starring Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis, Isla Fisher, Tom Wilkinson and Tim Curry.

Not to be confused with the 1972 British horror movie of the same name, which is also inspired by the real life murderers.

Tropes used in Burke and Hare include:

• Black Comedy: Very much so.
• Bonnie Scotland
• Breaking the Fourth Wall: Angus telling us, the audience, about 1820's Edinburgh, Scotland.
• Crapsack World
• Fake Nationality: The Irishmen Burke and Hare are played by English actors, Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis.
• False Friend: The real Hare betrayed Burke to the police.
• Gallows Humor
• Go Out with a Smile: "I did it for love."
• Grave Robbing
• High-Pressure Blood: Happens to a poor man behind Dr. Monro when he cuts an artery during an amputation For Science!.
• Hollywood Heart Attack: How one of the victims dies.
• Hooker with a Heart of Gold: Ginny, although she's actually a retired prostitute.
• Hypocritical Humour: "Watch your language, you fucking son of a bitch bastard."
• The Immodest Orgasm: Lucky.
• Jump Scare: Burke appearing out of nowhere in a darkened tunnel, used as part of an attack to get an obese man to have a heart attack.
• Last Request: Burke confesses to the killings on one condition - that he is allowed to spend the night with Ginny, his true love.
• Love Makes You Evil: In a sense. One of the reasons that Burke keeps going along with the killings is so he can finance Ginny's version of Macbeth.
• Murder Is the Best Solution: No other way to keep the "product" coming. In the movie, Burke confesses to the killings to spare his friends, in reality Hare becomes a stool pigeon.
• Not What It Looks Like: When Hare is checking Burke's wound and their landlady walks buy. "You have a perfectly lovely arse."
• Off the Wagon: Lucky.
• One Steve Limit: Averted. Both Hare and Burke are named William.
• Only Known by Their Nickname: Both Burke and Hare are often referred to as "Willy".
• Running Gag: Burke's constant unsuccessful attempts to have sex with Ginny. They are finally able to make love the night before his execution.
  • The militiaman who faints at every moment of gruesomeness.
• Shot in the Ass: Burke by the militia.
• Snake Oil Salesman:The "moss" that cures everything, according to Burke.
• Staircase Tumble: Used by the duo in one of their attempted murders, much to their chagrin the drunk gets up and continues dancing down the street.
• Sympathetic Murderer: Burke.
• Very Loosely Based on a True Story
• Villain Protagonists: Although Burke is portrayed as more of an Punch Clock Villain, being much more reluctant to go ahead with the murders and, unlike Hare, is guilt-ridden over his part in them.