Customer Reviews

"Well done. It was a sad story to tell and you told it well."

"The documentary is exceptional. As someone who was a longtime admirer of Jeff Smith, I was previously unaware of the full complexity surrounding the allegations against him. The film offers a comprehensive overview of his life, including an in-depth exploration of his personal life and the evolution of his career - an aspect to which the documentary devotes significant attention. It also presents multiple perspectives, balancing those who believe he was innocent, those who were victimized by him, and those who were deeply affected by and ultimately condemned his actions. This measured approach allows viewers to engage thoughtfully with a complicated and emotionally charged subject."

"While the filmmaking was solid-I found it infuriating that at the end of the day, Jeff’s friends and colleagues glazed over his crimes. They seemed to feel more sorry for him, than his victims. I also wondered if he ever molested his own 2 boys. My criticism is not for the makers of the series-but for everyone who basically swept his pedophilia under the rug while being interviewed in the closing episode."

"I Bid You Peace was genuinely eye-opening for me. Despite growing up in the PNW, I had no prior knowledge of Jeff Smith, his show, or the allegations that ended his career. Yet I found myself immediately drawn into his fascinating and tragic story. The interviews feel genuinely honest and raw, a refreshing departure from overly-produced streaming content today. My one complaint is that one interview camera seemed of lesser quality, leading to distracting perspective switches. Despite online accusations of it being a “hit piece,” I Bid You Peace presents a well-rounded portrait that allows viewers to grapple with the complexity of the man and his legacy. In an era when streaming services stretch stories into bloated episodes, this docuseries respects its audience, delivering a deep dive without unnecessary padding. Overall it’s an excellent example of what documentary filmmaking can achieve when it prioritizes substance over spectacle.​​​​​​​​​"

"Fantastic job. Fair and detailed. I’m a chef. I would credit watching Tje Frugal Gourmet as a kid, among other shows, to help push me into the culinary arts. This story is fascinating and needed to be told. The struggle, the series captures really well, is seperating the personal from the professional. I still love that show, but Jeff Smith the man obviously had many personal struggles and demons. “Did he/didn’t he” is up to each viewer and subjective, but I do think that this was done fairly telling all sides of the story. Highly recommend if you ever watched “The Frug.”"

"A bit too long but very enlightening. Glad we got to hear from the victims"