Disney+ releases The Shepherd short film shot in East Anglia

The Shepherd, a short film based on the Frederick Forsyth novel, was produced by Suffolk-based Richard Johns, who lives in Holbrook.

The film features Ben Radcliffe and John Travolta and was filmed almost entirely in the region, at a “ghostly former World War Two air base”.

It tells the story of a young serviceman, who has the rare opportunity to fly home to Suffolk from Germany where he is serving in time for Christmas.

As he is making the 66-minute flight, the aircraft starts to fail, and he begins to give up hope of ever landing when he sees the shadow of a wing tip in the cloud beneath him, and wonders if there is the prospect of a miracle.

Describing working with John Travolta as a “complete joy”, producer Richard Johns said the actor’s experience in a failing aircraft is what inspired him to get involved.

Mr Johns said: “John Travolta was one of the loveliest and most generous people to work with, and he already had a passion for the story, partly because he is such a keen pilot himself, and he very much enjoyed filming in the region.

Sam Frary with John Travolta, at a Morrisons store in Fakenham. (Image: Sam Frary / PA)

“He still owns several aircraft and did in fact personally own a Vampire so he was already familiar with the aircraft.

“He was flying an executive jet at one point over Washington DC with his family on board when all the power went. He had a moment where his life flashed before his eyes and he was incredibly afraid but naturally swung into action to save his family.

“He did a successful emergency landing at the next possible airstrip, very coolly and calmly. Having had that experience was one of his inspirations to get involved with The Shepherd because it tells that story.”

The film features a de Havilland Vampire aircraft, of which there are only two in Europe that still fly, lent by the Royal Norwegian Historical Air Squadron in Oslo, who agreed to fly it across the North Sea to Norfolk.

It was filmed at a disused RAF base in West Raynham, near Fakenham.

“It is really almost untouched,” Mr Johns said. “The base has been almost abandoned since it’s been out of use. There are long corridors with peeling paint, broken windows, and even the traffic control tower has ivy growing up the sides.

Buildings on the former West Raynham RAF base. (Image: Archant 2019)

The base has been out of use for decades (Image: Archant 2019)

Mr Johns said it was the perfect location for the film. (Image: Archant 2019)

“It was perfect for us and couldn’t be a better fit. Usually, you film on many different locations, but we were able to film almost the whole thing there.

“It is so lovely to tell a story that is partly about the region, and to make the whole film in East Anglia, as the flight is set to land in Lakenheath.

"To make the film where the story is set, and where Frederick Forsyth served some of his service, and to be able to put that out all over the world is a real thrill.”

The producer added that The Shepherd, which was set on Christmas Eve, felt like “the perfect Christmas movie”.

“It is not just because of the month in which it was set, but the story at the heart of it,” he added.

Richard Johns, Holbrook-based producer of The Shepherd. (Image: Richard Johns)

“It is sacrifice, love, and what life means to all of us.

“The young man almost gives up hope when he sees the shadow of a wing tip in the cloud beneath him and then there is the prospect of him living on another day.

“It is about hope. The world can be a very troubling and difficult place, and there is scope for us to make a difference, to help other people, and the film says that.

"It’s a simple message, but it’s a powerful one, at this time of year especially.”

The Shepherd is currently available worldwide on Disney+.