Customer Reviews

"Very well done documentary, as a 68 year old man I lived through these times with Jeff. Loved his show, had one of his cook books. It was really hard for someone to come out in the 70's, homosexuality was still listed as a mental disorder until 73. I think this led to many people leading double lives instead of being who they really are. No excuse for any abuse certainly, it's just very sad when a person can't be authentic."

Steve Cooley

"Excellent docuseries. Worth the price to watch such in depth storytelling, and to support an independent filmmaker. Almost as disturbing as Smith's predatory behavior is the priest's willingness to make excuses for it."

Susan

"Really interesting documentary. Interview format, so a lot of people to keep track of and listen to. I would be interested to learn more about the story from his family’s point of view! In other words, this documentary made me want to know more. As much as I miss Smith’s influence on my culinary life, I believe those who came forward!"

Jane Shortridge

"Watched all 5.... i do believe there was repetitiveness with the interviews ,so maybe more editing was in order. I really would have liked to learn some more of how his last 5 years were spent..post losing his show,book deals and all. Overall it was honest ,informative and much work went in to making this docuseries ,so 4 stars . I surmised interviews were done 2018 or thereabout."

V.a

"Very well shot, you got all the key interviews, and it was very educational. It made me search my soul. Best of all, your documentary helped bring moral clarity to people like me who hoped to salvage the good that Smith did, from the evils he committed. I found out that his crimes were much worse than I knew, and Dr. Amit Bhattacharjee taught me that it is important to make a sacrifice in order to have moral clarity: boycott the good that Smith still has to offer, to make a clean break. Let his victims know that we do not consider their pain to be an acceptable price. John Evans is intelligent and I respect his ability to abide contradictions and stay in contact with Smith without forgiving him. But Dr. Bhattacharjee is right. If Smith wanted to be forgiven, he needed to publicly admit what he did and plead guilty. Truth has to come before reconciliation. Please make appearance credits available in the near future."

Jason Brougham

"Loved! Every episode was great"

Michelle

"The docuseries was excellent. So many interviews with those who knew him well. The music and cinematography was also excellent. Thought 5 episodes was a bit much though. Some could have been combined or perhaps cut some of the interviews. Overall very good documentary on a complicated man. I remember watching his cooking shows as a kid. This explained a lot that went on behind the scenes."

CM

"The series was amazing! Well done! Comprehensive! Nice cadence to the episodes. Loved it!! Your streaming technology is awful however. Times out too fast. CC has to reset after every pause or bathroom break. We worked our way through but please spend some money on your platform!!"

HDW

"Well executed, informative, and fair. Jeff Smith was a complicated man and this documentary series takes all sides into account."

Anne Ryder

"My husband and I watch frugal gourmet in Seattle and my husband became a really good cook as a result. When we heard the allegations against him, we were aghast. Once while dining near the market in Seattle, we saw a little man on a scooter coming through the park and ask the waiter if that was Jeff Smith. The waiter said yes, and that his restaurant had banned Smith from ever coming in because he was so outrageous and always made a scene. I think the documentary covered everything very well from his early days and his success to his way of dealing with the sexual allegations. It just goes to show that the one you least expect can be a monster."

Leanne Stites

"Easy peasy transactions and easy to download and view. Great doc!"

Mali

""I Bid You Peace" does a splendid job of presenting the life of Jeff Smith while handling the controversy he faced with honesty. Pleased that the research and interviews with those who new him best present the facts without being tawdy or conspiratorial. As a fan of Mr. Smith from a young age, I will hold on to the fond memories of his program and cookbooks and the joy they brought to many."

Patricia