It is a legend that has haunted East Anglia since the middle ages. And now the tale of the ferocious hell hound Black Shuck is being brought to life in a film.
Shot on the Suffolk coast by Lowestoft filmmaker and editor Paul Easter, Black Shuck is his interpretation of the story of the fearful beast which, according to the tales, terrorised churchgoers in Bungay and Blythburgh, leaving claw marks on the door which can still be seen today.
Starring his own dog, Shuck, a long-haired black German shepherd, Mr Easter completed his first horror film on the ghostly dog in 2012, and will be releasing the sequel – Devil Dog Shuck Returns – in April.
He said: 'My dog looks like a wolf so he fits the part perfectly. I was walking with him in the countryside one day and the idea just came to me.
'He was really good to work with as it was just a big game to him. There are scenes where it looks like he is attacking me but all I had to do was hide some ham in the collar of my jacket so he would lick me.'
The first film was shot and edited in five days with most scenes filmed at Covehithe. Shooting on scenes for the sequel started in the middle of last year, with some shot at Covehithe, as well as Southwold beach and marshland at Barnby, near Beccles.
'There are lots of tales about it but I've done my own spin on it.
'I believe the dog was guarding his owner's grave and turned evil when the congregation went near it,' he added.
'I did lots of research online and listened to people's tales.
'A few people told me that the chickens which used to be at Ditchingham roundabout were placed there as a peace offering to Black Shuck to stop him attacking the locals.'
Mr Easter stars in both 'zero budget' films, rated 18, casting friends in roles alongside him.
He started his working life as a car salesman, before spending 20 years as a TV and film extra, appearing in several episodes of Lovejoy.
Black Shuck is available on Amazon with the second film available to view online at http://foundfootagecritic.com in April.
Are you working on a local film project? Email amy.smith@archant.co.uk with the details.
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