The Great Plague: The Village That Saved Britain

2026Movie1 h 8 min

–
Not rated yetGoodWatch score

A deeply moving, slow-burning documentary movie about history and family, with standout cinematography and world-building.

Good for family movie night · friends night · teens

Skip it if you want something to laugh at · you need an uplifting mood · you want fast pacing

Where to watch

Set your services

Not streaming in any country yet.

Fingerprint

Not for laughs, warmth or comfort.

Movies with

Story

The story of Eyam, a small, isolated village in the Peak District, whose residents endured one of the worst outbreaks of bubonic plague ever seen. In the mid 1660s, plague reached the remote Derbyshire village, and as the disease tore through the community, young vicar William Mompesson made an extraordinary decision - to seal the village off entirely. Historian Ruth Goodman tells the story of some of the villagers who lived and died through 14 months of horror.

Feels like

  • Historical Drama
  • Plague Narrative
  • Religious Faith vs. Science
  • Community Sacrifice
  • Melancholic Atmosphere
  • Educational History
  • Character Study of William Mompesson
  • Somber Tone
  • Rural Isolation
  • Human Resilience

Cast

Crew

Directed by
Jamie Simpson
Produced by
Jamie Simpson

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

September 10, 2026 · 1 h 8 min · Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language

Released
September 10, 2026
Runtime
1 h 8 min
Content
Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language
Genres
Documentary, History, Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United Kingdom

Q&A

3 questions, like "Is The Great Plague: The Village That Saved Britain okay for kids?"

Questions about The Great Plague: The Village That Saved Britain

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is The Great Plague: The Village That Saved Britain okay for kids?

Disturbing imageryStrong language

Yes: its content advisories are disturbing imagery and strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

Will I feel good after watching The Great Plague: The Village That Saved Britain?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for bleakness and 8 for melancholy, against 3 for hopefulness.

Is The Great Plague: The Village That Saved Britain plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on pathos (9 of 10) and character depth (8 of 10) more than on its plot.