THE cameras were rolling – and so were the tanks – when students shot a film at a Dorset museum.

History is brought to life in a stunning short film made by students which was shot over five days at Bovington Tank Museum.

Twenty-five film production students were involved, working to a budget of £1,500.

They used local actors as well as extras recruited from Bovington Middle School.

Way Back When, which can be seen on the Dorset Echo website, tells the story of a schoolboy who while visiting the museum with classmates wanders off on his own personal voyage of discovery amongst the tanks.

The exhibits come to life and lead him back in time.

The film concludes when his teacher finds him.

Curator of Bovington Tank Museum David Willey said staff approached two Bournemouth University students, Conrad Milligan and David Tallon, about making the film after being impressed by a previous production partly shot in the museum.

The museum was keen to have a promotional film that showed the power of historical objects to inspire and excite.

Mr Willey said it was an ‘exceptional’ film and showed that museums can play a positive role in the community.

The staff were so impressed by the film that another project is being discussed.

Mr Willey said: “We didn’t want this to be an advert as such for the Tank Museum, more a piece to promote the value of the experience a museum can offer.

“The film shows that modern museums offer a tactile experience and with modern storytelling techniques it can literally fire the imagination and bring the past to life. This is perhaps now increasingly important in a world that is becoming more virtual in the way in which we interact with culture.”

Conrad Milligan, 22, who directed the film said: “The experience offered us the chance to truly stretch our creative muscles outside the university environment, and that is something we are all grateful for.

“We’ve come away with some great experience and addition to our CV, and the museum has a short film that will help to promote the museum experience.”