The Golden Spurtle
Following competitors at the World Porridge Making Championships in the Scottish Highlands, this documentary explores tradition, rivalry, community pride and the eccentric passion behind the fight to win the coveted Golden Spurtle. It blends food culture, humour and heartfelt storytelling into a warm portrait of local identity.
DIRECTOR
Constantine Costi
With
Local Characters
1h 15m • Rated E • Documentary • UK
The island setting, the modest production, and the humor that often arises from character rather than contrivance work together to keep the film from ever feeling flat. On the flip side, a few feel the pacing is uneven, or that the secondary characters don’t always land. Still, even these criticisms tend to be soft and in the service of a film that is more heartwarming than perfect.
Overall, the consensus sees The Ballad of Wallis Island as a warm, wistful, and soul-soothing film—modest in scope but rich in feeling. It’s not trying to dazzle, but it digs in where it matters: loss, memory, music, human connection. For many, it’s one of the more emotionally satisfying films of 2025.
The Ballad of Wallis Island is a quietly charming British comedy-drama directed by James Griffiths, written by and starring Tom Basden and Tim Key, alongside Carey Mulligan. The story centers on Charles, a lonely lottery winner living on a remote Welsh island, who invites his favorite folk duo—Herb McGwyer and Nell Mortimer—to reunite for a private performance. His motive isn’t just fandom; there are unresolved heartbreaks, nostalgia, and grief behind his idealistic gesture.
Critics are largely enamored with the film’s balance of humor and melancholy. Tim Key’s performance as Charles is praised for being endearingly awkward, verbose, and heart-on-sleeve, often using verbal wit to stave off silence. Basden as Herb, and Mulligan as Nell, deliver subtle, emotionally resonant performances, especially when the old romantic and artistic tensions surface—and you begin to feel what’s been lost, as well as what hope might remain. The original music is another highlight; the songs feel lived in, and the film uses them not as spectacle, but as emotional anchors.
Some reviewers point out that the premise is familiar—a fan’s devotee, reunited artists, romantic regrets—but argue that the execution elevates it.
CRITICS ROUNDUP
The cinematography and sense of place receive particular acclaim, with the Scottish landscape and local culture giving the film a grounded authenticity. While some critics note that the documentary avoids heavy conflict or dramatic stakes, most agree that its simplicity is part of its charm. The Golden Spurtle succeeds as a feel-good piece of regional storytelling—light, inviting, and steeped in genuine local flavour.
CRITICS ROUNDUP
A warm, good-natured portrait of Scotland’s most endearing food tradition.
Critics describe The Golden Spurtle as a charming, small-scale documentary that leans into the quirks and warmth of the Highlands. The film follows several competitors preparing for the World Porridge Making Championships, using their journeys to explore the communities, culinary traditions and personal motivations behind this surprisingly intense event. Reviewers highlight the film’s gentle pacing and affectionate tone, praising how it captures the camaraderie and good-natured rivalry that make the competition unique.