guernsey literary and potato peel society movie review

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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Tom Courtenay, Matthew Goode, Michiel Huisman, Penelope Wilton, Glen Powell, Katherine Parkinson, Jessica Brown Findlay, and Lily James in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)

In the aftermath of World War II, a writer forms an unexpected bond with the residents of Guernsey Island when she decides to write a book about their experiences during the war. Then she le... Read all In the aftermath of World War II, a writer forms an unexpected bond with the residents of Guernsey Island when she decides to write a book about their experiences during the war. Then she learns the secret they are afraid to reveal. In the aftermath of World War II, a writer forms an unexpected bond with the residents of Guernsey Island when she decides to write a book about their experiences during the war. Then she learns the secret they are afraid to reveal.

Mike Newell
Thomas Bezucha
Jessica Brown Findlay
Tom Courtenay
Michiel Huisman
347 User reviews
104 Critic reviews
65 Metascore

Top cast 72

Elizabeth McKenna

Eben Ramsey

Dawsey Adams

Isola Pribby

German Officer

German Soldier

Sidney Stark

Juliet Ashton

Audience Member #1
Audience Member #2

Audience Member #3
Audience Member #4

Mr. Gilbert

Mark Reynolds

Elegant Wife

Amelia Maugery

Sidney's Secretary
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

Trivia The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a historical fictional novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows that was published in 2008. The novel is set in 1946 and is composed of letters written from one character to another.
Goofs The C-47 aircraft is painted with D-Day Invasion Stripes. These were removed from aircraft by the end of 1944.

Juliet Ashton : Do you suppose it's possible for us to already belong to someone before we've met them?

Crazy credits During the end titles we hear bits of presentations at the society gatherings.
Connections Featured in Projector: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
Soundtracks Avenue C Written by Buck Clayton , Dave Lambert & Jon Hendricks Published by WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)

User reviews 347

Beautiful adaptation of the book.

connieelancaster
May 12, 2018
How long is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society? Powered by Alexa
August 10, 2018 (United States)
United Kingdom
United States
Official site
Official site (Japan)
Clovelly, Devon, England, UK
Amazon Prime Video
Blueprint Pictures
See more company credits at IMDbPro
$85,000,000 (estimated)
$23,148,937
Runtime 2 hours 4 minutes

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Parents' guide to, the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Poster Image

Common Sense Says
Parents Say 5 Reviews
Kids Say 5 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Book-based post-WWII romance has some war violence.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 12+?

A fight in a bar. Some wartime action in brief flashbacks: Nazis menacing innoce

Alcoholic beverages are consumed in multiple scenes: beer, wine, shots. A man is

One use each of "ass," "bastard," "slut."

Any Positive Content?

Promotes courage, resourcefulness, and hope in the face of adversity. Illustrate

Heroine is rewarded for her determination, generosity, honesty, wisdom, adventur

Parents need to know that The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a period drama/romance set in 1946 Great Britain. Based on the best-selling novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, the story follows a young London writer named Juliet Ashton ( Lily James ) to Guernsey Island (in the English Channel just off the coast of Normandy), which was occupied by Nazi forces throughout World War II. The movie dramatizes the extraordinary plight of the Guernsey citizens and their resilience during the war and its aftermath. Juliet's experiences there both surprise and profoundly impact her. Flashbacks include brief scenes of wartime action, menacing Nazi officials, a city in ruins, a body, a hospital ward, and a Nazi march. A short bar fight occurs as the story unfolds. Characters drink in multiple scenes; one man is drunk, and another smokes cigarettes. Language includes "bastard," "ass," and "slut." Though there are references to war's cruelties and sad events, the movie offers a heartfelt glimpse into one of history's heartrending events.

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Violence & Scariness

A fight in a bar. Some wartime action in brief flashbacks: Nazis menacing innocents, a hospital filled with injured soldiers, a woman chased and captured, views of a city destroyed, children being evacuated, falling tiles threaten citizens; sounds of bombs, a dead body, Nazis on the march.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Alcoholic beverages are consumed in multiple scenes: beer, wine, shots. A man is drunk in one scene; he vomits. A character smokes.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Promotes courage, resourcefulness, and hope in the face of adversity. Illustrates how one resolute individual can impact events.

Positive Role Models

Heroine is rewarded for her determination, generosity, honesty, wisdom, adventurous nature. Open to new ideas and situations, she transforms her life. Though it's set in 1945, Juliet is an example of growing female independence. Villains are prototypical Nazis, except one who behaves courageously.

Where to Watch

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Parent and Kid Reviews

Parents say (5)
Kids say (5)

Based on 5 parent reviews

The movie is great - but the audiobook of the novel is truly extraordinary and complimentary

What's the story.

In the midst of a blossoming career as a novelist and a romance with a charming, rich American, Juliet Ashton ( Lily James ) embarks on a pen-pal relationship with one of the members of THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY. Despite being part of the British Isles, the Island of Guernsey was occupied by the Nazis throughout World War II. The war is over. The intruders are gone. The Literary and Potato Peel Society is still thriving. Juliet is more than intrigued. With the approval of her publisher and the hopes that she may be able to write an article about the group with its puzzling name and origins, Juliet sets off for a short visit. Just as she imagined, Guernsey is a magical place. The society's members are highly original, with moving stories to tell and secrets that must be uncovered. Most compelling is a little girl, her missing mother, and a tale of formidable resistance. What started as a short visit becomes a life-affecting odyssey that changes Juliet forever.

Is It Any Good?

What might be seen by some as super sweet and predictable is leavened by the underlying pathos of wartime, an alluring mystery, and stunning photography. The super sweetness and the predictability, as a matter of fact, come directly from the novel upon which the film is based, so the creative team can't be faulted for that. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society reunites several members of the Downton Abbey cast, with Lily James (seemingly the breakout star of that series, with multiple starring roles in big studio movies) solid in the role, charming the audience with her smarts and girl-next-door appeal. Featured characters are uniformly first-rate, with the reliable Tom Courtenay and Penelope Wilton terrific as always. Mike Newell, notable for other fine period films (e.g., Great Expectations , Enchanted April ) , delivers both the emotional goods and the visuals. Though the movie was not filmed on Guernsey Island, the creative team brings the island to life using other British locations. Recommended for those who don't mind a little sugar along with their drama.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how movies can inform audiences as well as entertain them. Did you know about the German occupation of the Island of Guernsey? Were you surprised to learn that a British island had been invaded? Where would you go to find out more about these World War II events?

Juliet was tempted to publish the story of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society . How did the members of the society feel about public exposure? Did you agree with her final decision? Why or why not? Given today's climate of tell-all books and social media, what is your attitude about privacy? When do you think the "right to know" supersedes privacy?

Find Guernsey Island on a map. Does the island's proximity to France help you understand how and why the Germans invaded it? Since most of us cannot travel to such places, movies are a source of what is termed "armchair travel." What special geographical locations have you "visited" in the movie theater?

Movie Details

On DVD or streaming : August 10, 2018
Cast : Lily James , Michiel Huisman , Penelope Wilton , Tom Courtenay
Director : Mike Newell
Inclusion Information : Female actors
Studio : Netflix
Genre : Drama
Topics : Adventures , Friendship , History
Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Empathy , Integrity
Run time : 123 minutes
MPAA rating : NR
Last updated : February 18, 2023

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Historical Fiction

Review: Netflix’s ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ is a pleasant throwback romance with a sparkling Lily James

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“The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” is an old-school, old-fashioned entertainment, a romantic drama bursting with scenic vistas and earnest charm that contains just enough mystery to keep us involved.

In fact, as efficiently directed by the veteran Mike Newell (“Four Weddings and a Funeral,” “Enchanted April”), this is just the kind of satisfying mainstream diversion that people used to leave their homes and go out to the movies for. Until now.

For though “Guernsey” has played quite successfully theatrically in Britain, France and other countries, in the U.S. Netflix acquired the distribution rights, and not even a token theatrical release in Los Angeles is in the works at the moment.

There is one sense, however, where “Guernsey,” adapted from the Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows’ bestselling novel by Thomas Bezucha, Kevin Hood and Don Roos, will look pleasantly familiar on home screens, and that is its cast.

No less than four actors, starting with star Lily James and including Jessica Brown Findlay, Matthew Goode and Penelope Wilton, had roles on PBS’ splendid “Downton Abbey” series.

James, fresh off facing off against Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour” and playing a young Meryl Streep in “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” is the undisputed star here, though brooding Dutch actor Michiel Huisman (“Game of Thrones”) gives her a run for her money as one of the most killingly handsome pig farmers in cinema history.

Though the film doesn’t let on, it’s helpful to know going in that the island of Guernsey, though officially a self-governing dependency of the British crown, is geographically closer to France than to Britain, which is why it was occupied by German troops during World War II, a key plot element.

James plays London writer Juliet Ashton, a sprightly young woman introduced in 1946, just after the war has ended, riding a bus with her handsome publisher Sidney Stark (Goode).

Ashton has just published a book, “Izzy Bickerstaff Goes to War,” written in that male character’s voice, and, eager to take on something in her own, she’s pleased but nervous when Stark tells her about an essay assignment from the London Times about the importance of reading.

Though there is tragedy in her background (her parents were killed during the Blitz), Ashton is determined to enjoy herself, and we see her dancing up a storm with a serious beau, wealthy, commanding American officer Mark Reynolds (Glen Powell).

One fateful day Ashton gets a letter from Guernsey. It’s from Dawsey Adams, that knockout handsome pig farmer, who has come across her name and address in a used book.

He introduces himself as a founding member of that Guernsey society, a book club actually, and innocently wonders if she could guide him to some other books. Because audiences have already seen what a Heathcliff look-alike Adams is, we know where this story is going well before the characters themselves.

The original “Guernsey” novel is an epistolary one, and the letters these two exchange are some of the film’s best moments.

We learn how the society was formed and how it got its odd name during that World War II occupation, and we meet its key members, including feisty guiding light Elizabeth McKenna (Brown Findlay), cantankerous postmaster Eben Ramsey (the veteran Tom Courtenay), reserved Amelia Maugery (Wilton) and eccentric Isola Pribby (Katherine Parkinson).

Intrigued by the story of how much books meant to this isolated community, how reading kept everyone sane during the war, Ashton decides these folks would make the perfect subject for that Times article and, protestations from beau Mark notwithstanding, determines to pop over to the island for a brief visit and get the story.

But while the folks on Guernsey are charmed that “a real writer has come to see us” and even offer to bake her a genuine potato peel pie (“It’s the worst,” Eben Ramsey admits), Ashton soon discovers that things there are not as unapologetically bucolic as she had imagined.

For one thing, key player Elizabeth is mysteriously off-island and no one can say when she might return. And for another, the residents are unexpectedly reticent about sharing their story and are not eager to be written about at all.

Long story short, to Ashton’s surprise but not to ours, the history of what happened on Guernsey during the Occupation turns out to be more complex than anticipated, presenting secrets to be discovered and depths to be plumbed.

Though logistical difficulties kept it from shooting on the island itself, “Guernsey’s” look (courtesy of cinematographer Zac Nicholson) is always first rate, and though her character can be a little too invasive at times, James effortlessly holds the story together.

“Guernsey” may not qualify as demanding cinema but it is eminently satisfying, and if in the final analysis it must be seen on home screens, that is preferable to no screens at all.

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‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’

Running time: 2 hours, 4 minutes

Playing: Streaming on Netflix

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@KennethTuran