Dozens of people watched in fascination as a town's historic quarter was restored to its former glory for a major movie.

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Film stars landed in King's Lynn for the filming of Armando Iannucci's The Personal History of David Copperfield.

The normally quiet waters beneath the Custom House were filled with up to 10 boats, including the recently-restored Baden Powell.

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

The derelict probation offices were boarded up with make-shift shopfronts advertising scull and pump makers and carpenters.

Extras dressed as Victorian merchants rolled barrels of fish across the crowded streets, between the horse-drawn carriages and dockside traders.

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Crowds lined the Purfleet to catch a glimpse of the star-studded cast, including Dev Patel as Copperfield, Hugh Laurie as Mr Dick, Peter Capaldi as Mr Micawber and Tilda Swinton as Betsey Trotwood.

One spectator commented: 'I live on the location so I can't avoid it. 'I have been watching all week, I wish the boats would stay in the Purfleet, it looks lovely.'

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

The historic quarter of King's Lynn proved a fitting backdrop for the 1985 film Revolution which starred Al Pacino and Donald Sutherland. It was onee off the biggeest box office failures of all time.

Scores of Lynn residents appeared in the movie as extras, with many watching the recent costume drama being filmed from the sidelines this afternoon.

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

One 60-year-old resident said: 'I haven't seen the film, I heard it was ghastly.

'I am sure this film will do fine, it has quite a good director and cast - Dev Patel is wonderful. It has been a lot of fun watching.'

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

The Dickens adaptation, due for release in 2019, also includes scenes shot in Angel Hill at Bury St Edmunds and at Weybourne beach.

It chronicles the life of protagonist David Copperfield, from Charles Dickens' eighth novel, from his childhood to his later life as a successful author.

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Filming is due to continue in King's Lynn on Friday with traffic control measures and parking restrictions still in force at King's Staithe Square, South Quay, Saturday Market Place, Chapel Lane and King Street, with a full road closure in St Margaret's Place.

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: The filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe filming of David Copperfield is taking place at The Purfleet in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)