Local film maker set to release star-studded 'gritty' gangster movie with scenes filmed in the Black Country

Pattingham based Peter Hirst, 38, has featured in multiple programs over the years, most recently appearing on Joe Lycett's Late Night Lycett and Sky's Brassic.

He has also featured in movies, including Ship of the Dammed, on Amazon, before realising his real passion was being able to build a story from the ground up. 

The local star created a showreel which was so well received that he turned it into a short film, before seeing how the depth of the story could span over the length of a full-blown movie. 

Named Fall to the Top, the story follows a young Irishman called Mickey, who, after a chance encounter with a sinister drug lord decides he wants to rise to the top of the underworld and become the recipient of the finer things in life.  

Peter, said: "Originally the film was a showreel for a friend and it ended up becoming a short film, but with my mindset and drive I thought if I'm doing a short I may as well go all-out and make it something fantastic.

"I never sat down and wrote anything before, I first thought it was no good but after sending it to some ghost writers and friends and family and watching their reaction it became something that I just had to make. 

"Some scenes they looked on in horror, other scenes they laughed out loud, and we were all in agreement that it was worth really pursing. 

"We've filmed all over the country, but I wanted to make it really midlands-centric, particularly Staffordshire and the Black Country. 

"We've done a few scenes in Wolverhampton and Wombourne."

As well as Peter, other stars have accepted roles in the film including Mason Antonio Fardowe from hit Netflix series The Gentlemen, Big Brother's Peter Bennett and hardman Joe Egan, a former professional fighter turned big-screen heavyweight,.

The film even features a new sinister version of one half of the Chuckle Brothers, Paul Chuckle, and George Newton from This is England. 

Peter, added: "Paul is known for his comedy, but he's playing a very sinister role like you have never seen him before.

"The film is planned to be in cinemas next summer, followed by streaming platforms Amazon, Apple TV and Hulu. 

Peter said: "It's a gritty gangster film but with more than just drama, there's some real humour in the film and we're hoping it will appeal to all sorts of people."

The full cast includes Stephen Reilly as Mickey, Peter Hirst as Luther, Katie Joan Maguire as Kiera, Joe Kirton as Luke, Johnny Wilson as Kenny, Mason Antonio Fardowe as Mason, Joe Egan as Big Joe, Joe Rooney as little Joe, Paul chuckle as The Jackal, George Newton as The Honey Badger and Pete Bennett as Paul.

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