The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
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A London-based writer travels to the island of Guernsey to research a mysterious book club and uncovers the hidden history of its members.
The story
In 1941, four friends on the island of Guernsey are stopped by German soldiers during the occupation; to avoid arrest, they claim to be members of a book club called 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society'. Five years later, in 1946, London-based author Juliet Ashton begins exchanging letters with a resident of the island who possesses one of her books. Intrigued by the society, Juliet arranges to travel to Guernsey to write about them. Despite her boyfriend's reservations, she boards the ferry to meet the members and uncover the truth behind their clandestine literary gatherings.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1941, four friends on the island of Guernsey claim to be part of 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' to avoid arrest by German soldiers. In 1946, London author Juliet Ashton begins a correspondence with Dawsey Adams, a member of the society. Juliet travels to Guernsey to research the group, meeting members Dawsey, Amelia, Isola, and Eben. She learns that the society's founder, Elizabeth, was sent to Germany during the occupation. Juliet discovers that Elizabeth was sent to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, where she was shot and killed while protecting a prisoner. Juliet also learns that Dawsey is not the biological father of the group's child, Kit, but rather the child of a German doctor. After returning to London, Juliet breaks up with her fiancé Mark to focus on her writing. Eventually, Dawsey travels to London to find her, and the two reunite on a ferry, where they propose to each other. The film ends with them married, continuing the society's traditions.
- First release year
- 2018
- Runtime (minutes)
- 124
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States; France
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Mike Newell
- Writers
- Kevin Hood · screenplay; Don Roos · screenplay; Tom Bezucha · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Lily James · Juliet Ashton; Michiel Huisman · Dawsey Adams; Glen Powell · Mark Reynolds; Jessica Brown Findlay · Amelia Maugery; Katherine Parkinson · Isola Pribbey; Matthew Goode · Eben Ramsey; Tom Courtenay · Sidney Stark; Penelope Wilton · Elizabeth
- Genres
- historical; romantic drama
- Themes
- literature; memory; romance; war; gender equality
- Tone and mood
- romantic; nostalgic; gentle; cosy
- Premise and plot tags
- period drama; romance; mystery; historical fiction
- Source material / true-story basis
- 2008 novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with some praising its performances and tone while others criticized its pacing and plot.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 65 · scale: 100 · review count: 10
- Production trivia
- The port and village of Clovelly in North Devon represented Saint Peter Port, Guernsey.; The film was distributed as a Netflix original in certain international areas.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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