The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

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2:24

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

2018

2h 4m

Drama

Romance

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Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

72 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In 1946 a London-based writer begins exchanging letters with residents on the island of Guernsey, which was German-occupied during WWII. Feeling compelled to visit the island, she starts to get a picture of what it was like during the occupation.

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Critics Consensus

Far more traditional and straightforward than its unwieldy title, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society offers delightful comfort food for fans of period drama.

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Marissa Martinelli

Slate

The movie is comfort food through and through, as wholesome and predictable as a Sunday roast and as sickly sweet as sticky toffee pudding.

Aug 10, 2018

Full Review

Matt Fagerholm

RogerEbert.com

Though the subject matter could've been developed into a more challenging and provocative yarn, this film's chief aim is escapism.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 10, 2018

Full Review

Leah Greenblatt

Entertainment Weekly

A movie... you don't so much watch as wear like a slanket.

Rated: B+

Aug 10, 2018

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Director Mike Newell uses his camera to great effect, capturing beautiful vistas but also the swirling emotions of his characters.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 21, 2022

Full Review

Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

Watching The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie together with some friends or loved ones would be just the ticket. You just might want to keep potato peel pie off the menu.

Aug 13, 2021

Full Review

Kshitij Rawat

The Indian Express

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a delightful little film that should particularly appeal to those fond of the quaint British rural setting.

Mar 9, 2021

Full Review

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Chris F

We are expected to cheer for a protagonist who heartlessly abandons her attractive, kind, wealthy, and supportive fiancé for a stranger from a remote island, simply because he's a fellow bookworm. It’s irrational and absurd. If the filmmakers wanted us to cheer for this choice, they should have painted the fiancé as some villainous scoundrel. Instead, he’s decent, and she breaks his heart anyway. I can’t celebrate that. I ended up rooting for the fiancé to find someone who actually loves him without confusion or betrayal. He deserves the happiness she didn’t give.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/21/25

Full Review

George R

Really enjoyable historical fiction. Have your Kleenex handy for the emotional second half. Lily James is one of my favorite actors and again she shines in this film. A sad look at the personal trauma inflicted by Germany during WWII + a satisfying romance/happy ending.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/24/25

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CATHERINE C

An enchanting story about love and friendships. I've reread the book several times and this is even better.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/07/25

Full Review

David L

The love story(s) was a bit predictable, but the historical sweep and gentle exposure to Guernsey provided a reflective, lovely evening interlude

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/21/25

Full Review

Emma B

Some of the most loveable array of characters I've seen in a film. Each conversation felt natural and smooth and real. The main character has an absolute heart of gold so you can't go wrong. The writing is truly beautiful and tells this story in such a heart string tugging manner. Had to show this to as many friends and family that I could get to watch it. Shows the emotional sides of a tragic time in history. So many laughs, cries, and tears of joy came along with this film. No to mention the beautiful camera work and acting. Highly recommend you at least watch it on e and then until you can't take it anymore!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/25/24

Full Review

Torin F

THE GUERNSEY LITERARY ~ SOCIETY has an interesting historical basis in the German occupation of the island during WWII, though the film itself mostly steers for the safe, sentimental waters of a typical romantic drama that's thoroughly pleasant and a little prim.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/21/24

Full Review

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Mike Newell

Director

Lily James

Juliet Ashton

Matthew Goode

Sidney Stark

Michiel Huisman

Dawsey Adams

Glen Powell

Mark Reynolds

Jessica Brown Findlay

Elizabeth McKenna

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: Movie Clip - Juliet and Dawsey

1:41

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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: Featurette - Book to Screen

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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: Trailer 1

2:24

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Synopsis

In 1946 a London-based writer begins exchanging letters with residents on the island of Guernsey, which was German-occupied during WWII. Feeling compelled to visit the island, she starts to get a picture of what it was like during the occupation.

Director: Mike Newell
Producer: Graham Broadbent, Peter Czernin, Mitchell Kaplan, Paula Mazur
Screenwriter: Kevin Hood, Don Roos
Production Co: StudioCanal, Mazur / Kaplan Company, Blueprint Pictures
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2018
Runtime: 2h 4m

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