All of the actors are enjoying themselves, and the movie is stuffed with history, atmosphere and vivid characters. What's in short supply, though, is laughter.
– Kyle Smith,
New York Post,
9 Sep 2011
rotten:
It's just scene after scene of two obnoxious people killing various other obnoxious people.
– Stephen Whitty,
Newark Star-Ledger,
9 Sep 2011
fresh:
A droll take on one of the most notorious mass-murder cases of the 19th century.
– Neil Genzlinger,
New York Times,
9 Sep 2011
rotten:
"Burke and Hare" is a waste of a good cast and a better story, as well as a hollow reminder of how John Landis seemingly has lost his touch.
– Bill Goodykoontz,
Arizona Republic,
27 Oct 2011
rotten:
Rarely has the ratio of quality talent to dismal returns been as high as in "Burke & Hare,'' a macabre British period piece that's nowhere near as funny as it thinks.