MADE IN EAST ANGLIA

Filmed in various locations around Suffolk, including Shottisham, Sutton, and Akenham Hall Farm in Ipswich.

Stanley's War dramatises stories of love and sacrifice, following the lives of Suffolk people during WW1. The film recounts the true life-changing experiences at the Western Front of Stanley Banyard, a farm hand from Ramsholt Suffolk, and how he saved the lives of his comrades, lost in No Man's Land by using the skills he learnt as a boy from a Suffolk gamekeeper.

The film also follows the Pretty family, factory owners from Ipswich, and the forbidden romance between Major Frank Pretty, (4th Batallion, Suffolk Regiment) and Edith Dempster (later Edith Pretty of Sutton Hoo fame), as well as the tragic story of Lieutenant Donald Pretty (4th Batallion, Suffolk Regiment) killed in action on 11th May 1915.

Director

Tim Curtis

Writer

Jonathan Ruffle

From filmmaker Tim Curtis.

Tim Curtis is an acclaimed Suffolk-based independent filmmaker whose work captures the rich history, landscapes, and human stories of East Anglia. Renowned for his evocative storytelling and immersive visual style, Curtis has directed a number of celebrated films that resonate deeply with local and wider audiences alike. His documentary Life On The Deben (2017) offers a compelling journey along one of Suffolk’s most iconic rivers, while Fire Over Shingle Street (2025) explores the enduring mystery and wartime lore of the Suffolk coast. In Stanley’s War (2018) Curtis brings to life the poignant experiences of a young Suffolk Regiment soldier during World War I, weaving drama and historical depth into a moving narrative. Through his work, Tim Curtis has established himself as a powerful voice in regional filmmaking, preserving the spirit and stories with authenticity and artistic flair.

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