As I love movies with a good story and historical stories, it was not a difficult choice to go and watch The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It might be a title that doesn't roll of the tongue easily, but the movie more than makes up for it!
The Film
Just after WW II Juliet Ashton, a writer from London, finds herself encountering a story from the island of Guernsey which draws her to the island. She hears of a group, the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society that have gotten together during the German occupation of Guernsey.
When she arrives on the island her life in London, including her fiancé become further and further removed from her. And she seems to find a spot on the island, with its odd inhabitants and many secrets.
Juliet finds herself drawn to a farmer, Dawsey and the child he lives with Kit. All mysteries lead her to this mysterious woman: Elizabeth who was arrested and taken off island during the occupation.
The History
As a historian, I was quite surprised to learn of the occupation of Guernsey by the Nazi's during the war. Though all the characters of the movie are invented, the backdrop of the story is quite real.
There was a story of a woman on the island, Marie Ozanne, who stood up against the German invaders. She was imprisoned for her actions and died in 1943. There are also stories of two farmers who tried to save as many animals as they could, as the Germans used them to feed the troops.
I have really enjoyed learning more about this piece of history, while at the same time watching a very nice movie. I would recommend all of you to watch it.
Have any of you seen it yet? What did you think?
