Interesting ,Entertaining and well Produced Cinema

Rating: 9/10 (31 August 2018)

IT's rare that we think of the unthinkable fact of what would have happened if Britain had been invaded by Germany in World War 2?
Well it's a fact that Guernsey was and this story tells with humour , pathos and sadness the plight of a group of citizens who become .friends under incredibly difficult circumstances, living under curfew and the barest of food to survive occupation and having to surrender to anything the Nazi occupiers wanted or face extreme punishment.
The cast is fabulous with a knockout performance by Penelope Wilton, as much as I adore Dame Judy and Dame Maggie I'm so glad they didn't get the part of Amelia Maugery, a sad traumatised woman, who has lost more and sacrificed more than anyone should have to in that horrible war. We all know Penelope as Isobel Crawley in Downtown Abbey and this role is so far removed from that one .
I've seen her in many other fine roles going way back to Alan Ayckbourn 's Norman Conquests in 1977 but I think this film is her finest hour.
Lily James as Juliet Ashton the author who is drawn to Guernsey and the tales of these people also gives another lovely performance, for some reason she reminds me of Lyn Hathaway and I expect after her great roles in Cinderella, Darkest Hour and Guernsey that we will see her in many more movies.
Everyone is good in this movie , special mention to veteran Tom Courtney, who pays an eccentric wistful character Eben Ramsey.
No wonder this film works with a director like Mike Newell, who has directed great films like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Harry Potter Goblet of Fire and Donnie Brasco.
If you enjoy a great story beautiful scenery and terrific acting please don't miss this Film a 9 out of 10 from this amateur film buff.