Local Hero
Local Hero

Local Hero

1983Movie111 minEnglish

An American oil company sends a man to Scotland to buy up an entire village where they want to build a refinery. But things don't go as expected.

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Insights

IMDb6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes88%
Metacritic77/100
Google Users84%
Director: Bill ForsythGenres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

An American oil executive is sent to a small Scottish village to purchase the land for a new refinery. He initially approaches the task with corporate efficiency but finds himself increasingly charmed by the eccentric locals and the serene landscape. As he spends more time there, his priorities begin to shift, leading to a conflict between his professional obligations and his burgeoning appreciation for a simpler way of life.

Critical Reception

Local Hero was widely acclaimed by critics for its gentle humor, charming performances, and visually stunning cinematography of the Scottish Highlands. Audiences also responded positively to its warm-hearted story and unique blend of satire and sentimentality, making it a beloved cult classic.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its understated humor and quirky charm.
  • Admired for its beautiful cinematography and memorable characters.
  • Appreciated for its unique, heartwarming narrative that contrasts corporate ambition with simple living.

Google audience: Google users frequently highlight the film's delightful sense of humor, its picturesque Scottish setting, and the endearing performances of the cast. Many appreciate its gentle pacing and the satisfying emotional journey of the protagonist.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Film.

Fun Fact

The character of Ben, the eccentric bird-watching millionaire played by Burt Lancaster, was inspired by the reclusive industrialist Paul Mellon, who was known for his love of horses and conservation efforts.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
badelf

badelf

Bill Forsyth's Local Hero sends an American oil company executive (Peter Riegert) to a remote Scottish coastal village to buy it up for a refinery. What he finds instead is a community that can't quite be bought, locals who negotiate on the...
Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**Slow, with boring characters and dialogues and a disjointed script, this film does not justify the “hype” around it.** This is one of those indie films that has won over a legion of self-confessed admirers. It's a film that everyone sp...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Burt Lancaster is the multi-millionaire oil magnate "Felix Happer" who despatches one of his minions (Peter Riegert) to Scotland to buy up a village to turn it into an oil refinery. Once he arrives, he is taken for a bit of a ride by the ca...