Film by former Royal Marines debuts in Plymouth

Tip Cullen turned his hand to acting after three decades serving in the core as a mountain leader

A film created by and starring former Royal Marines is set to have its cinema debut in Plymouth this weekend.

Sunray: Fallen Soldier tells the story of a war veteran hunting down the individuals responsible for his daughter's death.

The film is set to be shown in the city on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 January, with both screenings featuring a Q&A session with lead actor and former Royal Marine Tip Cullen.

He said the film was "so suited" to being screened in the city due to its close military links.

'Big community effort'

Cullen turned his hand to acting after three decades serving in the core as a mountain leader.

He said: "So many people involved in the project have either served or lived in the South West, so to get in landed down at Plymouth Everyman, I've got a massive grin.

"There was a big community effort to make it happen, had we not had the supporters that we have, it would not have happened."

Veterans were involved in the production both on and off screen, according to the filmmakers, who wanted to use the film to raise awareness of the sacrifices made by soldiers and the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Veterans had both on and off screen in the production

"Our budget was so small, we relied a lot on volunteers and when it came to shooting the scenes, a lot of the support we had, they wanted to be involved," Cullen said.

"We had the full spectrum, it wasn't just Royal Marines, we're talking veterans and serving people from the armed services and blue lights."

He said the film, guided by realistic Royal Marines drills, was "very close to my heart" and the story had "a lot of sympathy and empathy" for the veterans involved.

"I wanted to be a storyteller," Cullen said.

"Everything in the core, and the service, and being an Irishman as well, it's all about our stories and the people, it's the cornerstone of human nature.

"It's a hard old film, but it's lovely in a way and it's so suited to being down here."

Fundraising work taking place alongside the production of the film has raised more than £1,500 for veterans charity Rock2Recovery.