Avengers to Yesterday - new bid to get films shot in Norfolk

And council bosses hope to woo more film-makers to take advantage of Norfolk's scenery and landmarks to shoot for cinema and television, while providing a welcome economic boost to the county.

Norfolk County Council is set to spend almost £100,000 for a two-year Norfolk Film Office project to better promote the opportunities for film crews.

The council says that office could serve as a 'front door' for enquiries about filming in Norfolk, with a database of locations which could follow in the footsteps of places such as Norwich's Elm Hill and Gorleston beach in being captured on celluloid.

The council is tendering for an organisation to run that pilot project, with the council saying other areas of the UK which have set up similar film offices have benefited from extra income as a result.

Film sector experts Olsberg SPI had previously been commissioned by the Conservative-controlled council to look into ways to maximise the county's potential for big screen filming - which has led to the proposed film office.

Olsberg previously said that the region earned around £10m from films in 2019 - including £3.8m from film production and around £2m from 'screen tourism' - people visiting the places they have seen on film.

Fabian Eagle, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for economic growth (Image: Swaffham Town Council)

Fabian Eagle, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for economic growth, said: "Norfolk is a beautiful county with many exceptional locations that film crews could use for filming from TV adverts to documentaries and films.

"Numerous production companies have already featured our county in their footage over the years.

"If we can maximise on our natural and built resources with a county-wide film office that makes it easier for production companies to find suitable locations, we simultaneously achieve economic benefit for many other ancillary businesses whenever a production team comes to the county."

From 'Allo 'Allo! to The Avengers: Films and television shows shot in Norfolk

'Allo 'Allo!

'Allo 'Allo! was filmed in Mundford (Image: BBC)

Large parts of the BBC show, which recounted the comic antics of a French village under German occupation, were filmed in the Norfolk village of Mundford, including at Lynford Hall.

Dad's Army

The cast of Dad's Army (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

The statue of Captain Mainwaring on a bench by Thetford's Old Anchor Hotel and the Dad's Army Museum are reminders that parts of the classic BBC show was filmed in the town.

The likes of Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier and Ian Lavender also filmed at Lynford Hall, Brandon Station and Elveden Tower, as well as across other parts of Norfolk including Oxburgh Hall, near Swaffham.

Stardust

Claire Danes films a scene from Stardust in Elm Hill (Image: ARCHANT NORFOLK PHOTOGRAPHIC © 2005)

Norwich's Elm Hill was transformed into the streets of Stormhold for the film, starring Claire Danes and Michelle Pfeiffer, with the Britons Arms coffee house turned into The Slaughtered Prince pub.

Jingle Jangle

Elm Hill was used for the film Jingle Jangle

The charms of Elm Hill were also a draw for this Netflix Christmas film, which starred Forest Whitaker as legendary toymaker, Jeronicus Jangle.

Shakespeare in Love

Holkham Beach featured in Shakespeare in Love (Image: ©Mike Page, All Rights Reserved)

The beach at Holkham featured in the closing scenes of the Oscar-winning film, with Gwyneth Paltrow's Viola walking across the golden sands after surviving a shipwreck.

Revolution

Al Pacino starred in Revolution (Image: Archant)Al Pacino arrived in King's Lynn for this American War of Independence movie by Chariots of Fire director Hugh Hudson.

The film co-starred Donald Sutherland, Nastassja Kinski along with Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox.

45 Years

Tom Courtenay and Charlotte Rampling in 45 Years (Image: Archant)Charlotte Rampling received an Oscar nomination for her performance in this film, shot in Norwich and the Norfolk Broads in 2014. It also featured Billy Liar star Tom Courtenay.

Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa

Filming of Alan Partride: Alpha Papa on Cromer Pier (Image: Archant Norfolk 2013)

Steve Coogan's Norwich-based broadcaster has made a number of trips to the city, but his big-screen debut featured a memorable role for Cromer Pier in the film's shoot-out climax.

Full Metal Jacket

The Norfolk Broads doubled for the Vietnamese countryside in Stanley Kubrick's 1987 Vietnam drama.

Yesterday

Scenes from Yesterday were filmed in Gorleston (Image: Archant)Trainspotting director Danny Boyle's Beatles-inspired movie was filmed at locations across East Anglia, including Gorleston and Halesworth.

In one memorable scene, 6,000 extras descended upon Gorleston beach for a staged live performance.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

The Sainsbury Centre was turned into the headquarters of the Avengers (Image: Archant)

Film crews came to the Sainsbury Centre in 2014, with stars including Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow) and Chris Hemsworth (Thor) spotted on the University of East Anglia campus as the gallery served as the futuristic base of the Avengers.