- Film Review
- Reviewed By Simon Rose
-
4 out of 5
This comedy drama firmly established Bill Forsyth as a major British film-maker. It's a lyrical, almost mystical tale that follows the attempts of Texas oilman Burt Lancaster and his minion Peter Riegert to buy up an isolated Scottish village in order to build an oil refinery, without bargaining on the village's integral strength of community. Local Hero manages to avoid the relentless whimsy that over-egged Forsyth's previous outing, Gregory's Girl: the scenery is gorgeous, the performances are funny, ironic and moving (Lancaster, in particular, is superb), and Forsyth brings a sure directorial touch.
Plot Summary
Comedy drama starring Peter Riegert and Burt Lancaster. MacIntyre, a young American oil executive, is sent to a small Scottish village, which his company intends to buy and transform into a new refinery site. But while attempting to negotiate with the local community, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to the area.
Cast and crew
Cast
- MacIntyre
- Peter Riegert
- Happer
- Burt Lancaster
- Urquhart
- Denis Lawson
- Oldsen
- Peter Capaldi
- Ben
- Fulton Mackay
- Marina
- Jenny Seagrove
- Stella
- Jennifer Black
- Reverend MacPherson
- Christopher Asante
- Geddes
- Rikki Fulton
Crew
- Director
- Bill Forsyth
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