Weybourne beach was transformed from a sunny family seaside destination into a bleak Dickensian landscape, when a film crew arrived in north Norfolk to shoot scenes for Armando Iannucci's costume drama The Personal History of David Copperfield.

Eastern Daily Press: Dev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVESDev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVES (Image: Archant)

Written, produced and directed by Iannucci and starring Dev Patel as Copperfield, Hugh Laurie as Mr Dick, Peter Capaldi as Mr Micawber and Tilda Swinton as Betsey Trotwood, the movie is due for release in 2019.

Also featuring Paul Whitehouse and Ben Whishaw, it includes scenes shot at Bury St Edmunds, with the crew moving on to Kings Lynn after two days' filming at Weybourne.

Eastern Daily Press: Dev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVESDev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVES (Image: Archant)

Sheringham Museum director Tim Groves, who was among a small crowd watching Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel shooting scenes on the beach near the village car park, said filming went on until the early hours of Wednesday morning.

He added: 'There was a great atmosphere and the crew and security were very friendly; it was nice to see all the work that goes into making a few minutes of film and the number of people that are involved behind the scenes.'

Eastern Daily Press: Dev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVESDev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVES (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Dev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVESDev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVES (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Dev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVESDev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVES (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Dev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVESDev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVES (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Dev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVESDev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVES (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Dev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVESDev Patel taking time out from filming the Armando Iannucci movie The Personal History of David Copperfield on Weybourne beachPhoto: TIM GROVES (Image: Archant)