Filming All Set For Ipswich

Ipswich has been selected as one of the principal locations for the new British feature film “Private Peaceful”.

Christchurch Park and Chantry Park have been chosen as prime locations for Private Peaceful, based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo (War Horse),telling the powerful story of a British solider, Tommo Peaceful.

The all-British cast is made up of George MacKay (The Boys are Back, Birdsong), Jack O’Connell (Eden Lake, Harry Brown, Skins), Richard Griffiths (Harry Potter, The History Boys, Withnail& I), Alexandra Roach (The Iron Lady), Frances De La Tour (Alice in Wonderland, The History Boys, The Book of Eli).

Christchurch Mansion will be closed to the public on Wednesday 21st September to Saturday 24th September to allow for the filming to take place. There will also be areas of the park closed while outside filming takes place and there will be no entrance from the Soane Street entrance during filmingbetween Thursday 22nd and Saturday 24th  September.

Some areas of Chantry Park will be restricted to public on Wednesday 28th September during filming. Access to the Chantry Park play areas and the SueRyder Home will not be affected during the filming. 

Private Peaceful is set in rural Devon from 1908 and in the Front Line trenches of Flanders during the First World War. The story follows the life of Tommo Peaceful from the accident in the forest that kills his doting father James, the affection of his loving mother Hazel and the camaraderie enjoyed with his older brothers Charlie and Big Joe. Tommo tries to overcome the challenges that his young life throws at him; whether at school, or working for the Colonel on his country estate or avoiding their wicked Grandma Wolf.

The outbreak of World War One offers Tommo an escape. Although underage, Tommo enlists and is joined by Charlie, leaving behind their family and the love of both their lives Molly. Forced to adjust to a new life of conflict in Flanders, they soon learn that gas attacks and shelling are easy to survive; the real battles are the price of family loyalty, the cruel attentions of Sergeant Hanley, and facing the onslaught of summary military justice.