Local Hero

PG

Released Feb 17, 1983

1 hr. 50 min.

Comedy

List

100%

41 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Up-and-coming Houston oil executive "Mac" MacIntyre (Peter Riegert) gets more than he bargained for when a seemingly simple business trip to Scotland changes his outlook on life. Sent by his colorful boss (Burt Lancaster) to the small village of Ferness, Mac is looking to quickly buy out the townspeople so his company can build a new refinery. But after a taste of country life Mac begins to question whether he is on the right side of this transaction.

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Critics Consensus

A charmingly low-key character study brought to life by a tremendously talented cast, Local Hero is as humorous as it is heartwarming.

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T Z

This movie should be in everyone's Top 100 List, whether it's in the Top 10, or the Bottom Ten, or the Middle 50, doesn't really matter. I give it 5 Stars, because it may not be a perfect movie, but it's perfect in it's own way. For what it is, it's a 5 Star film. It has dramatic moments, but it's not a drama. It's funny, but not a laugh riot. It's a very ca;m film that has a calming effect on the character Mac who initially didn't want the assignment and was just anxious to get it over with and go back to his life. And some viewers may feel like that too. But you have to get into the slow pace and let it work it's magic. The problem is it's in a Class by itself. You don't find other movies like this one, especially today. You find bit of it here and there. There are other Magical Realism films. Or other 80s movies. Plenty of Fish-Out-Of-Water stuff out there. But nothing combines all it's many elements in quite this way. It's been compared to Brigadoon. It's a place doesn't exist in the real world. The little seaside town and Ben's Beach are actually 100 miles apart. But you wish it did, and maybe, that's enough. So, when you're longing to go there, you can go back watch it, and get that calm feeling again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

Full Review

Randy F

I first saw the film 1983 when I was a young and idealistic soul, I was mesmerized by the heart and humanistic view of the world, by a great sublime, and vastly overlooked director, Bill Forsyth. Burt Lancaster and Peter Riegert were never better, I saw the film again... now my innocence is gone replaced with cynicism but the film still left me with a tear in my eye and gave me a glitter of hope.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

Alec B

Each moment where you expect something more conventional to happen the movie veers towards the unexpected and even there it surprises you with it's low-key and subtle storytelling.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/09/24

Full Review

S R

1001 movies to see before you die (2013). Another lost Flixster rating. I remember that I enjoyed the aspects of Scottish culture, but didn't like some of the political agendas. Saw on TCM.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/07/23

Full Review

Red T

It's a good charming, sentimental, low key movie. Decent music but not used enough and can be a bit dry at points. The acting is decent but the main issue is Mac & his friend don't have much charisma and just kind of blend in somewhat. There isn't many characters aside from the villagers and Gordon so it doesn't get in the way of anything but they don't have the presence of Lancaster who is the best actor in this even though he doesn't get much time. Also while this is a solid paced and edited film in the middle it can tend to drift a little bit and events just sort of happen as we jump between our two main leads but it does follow a loose enough flow of events and character progression. The last 20 minutes especially once we focus on Ben things start to recover and it gets interesting and really charming and wraps up well. I was surprised how everyone had a defined character arc also. The best thing is the cinematography with amazing sweeping shots of the environment and great camerawork. The setting is really memorable also. The main issue is as beautifully done as the shots are it doesn't pop oddly enough. I think part of that is because of the abrupt cuts and the greyish/dark colors taking a second to notice but its still really well done. I think slower merge transitions would've worked better. This is a solid low key gem though that anyone who is a fan of any actors in this, the director, or 80's dramas will like.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/23/23

Full Review

M e

My favourite movie of all times!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/24/23

Full Review

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Bill Forsyth

Director

Burt Lancaster

Happer

Peter Riegert

Mac

Denis Lawson

Urquhart

Fulton Mackay

Ben

Norman Chancer

Moritz

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Ed Potton

Times (UK)

A Scottish-American charmer with a sublime soundtrack.

Rated: 5/5

May 23, 2023

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Local Hero snares your heart because it takes on a fantasy element: something to do with Happer’s visionary obsession with the stars.

Rated: 5/5

May 17, 2023

Full Review

Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Lancaster gets better with age; he is capital as the magnate with equal passions for astronomy and moneymaking. Peter Riegert is effective as his ambassador, and the Scottish actors are refreshing and adept.

Nov 12, 2018

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a decent-enough comedy that generally feels like it should be much, much better.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 27, 2024

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Alternate Ending

It plays it as the mixture of British kitchen-sink realism and Robert Altman that I never knew I wanted.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jun 5, 2023

Full Review

Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

An unforgettable story about weighing the worth of what we can hold in our hands against value of the stuff we cram into increasingly large receptacles. Its warmth endures as a respite from, and not easy resolution to, the chill of life’s many conflicts.

Rated: 4.5/5

Feb 28, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

Up-and-coming Houston oil executive "Mac" MacIntyre (Peter Riegert) gets more than he bargained for when a seemingly simple business trip to Scotland changes his outlook on life. Sent by his colorful boss (Burt Lancaster) to the small village of Ferness, Mac is looking to quickly buy out the townspeople so his company can build a new refinery. But after a taste of country life Mac begins to question whether he is on the right side of this transaction.

Director: Bill Forsyth
Screenwriter: Bill Forsyth
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Enigma Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 17, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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