• Home
• Local Hero

Page

Local Hero

• Summary
• How to watch
• News & features

❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Watch trailer

02:03

Local Hero

Save

• Comedy
• Drama

• 1983
• Bill Forsyth
• 107 mins
• PG

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.

Ad

Powered By

IMDB

Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Simon Rose

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.

imdb-square

7.3/10

How to watch

Loading

Streaming

• Prime Video
• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameMacIntyrePeter RiegertHapperBurt LancasterUrquhartDenis LawsonOldsenPeter CapaldiBenFulton MackayMarinaJenny SeagroveStellaJennifer BlackReverend MacPhersonChristopher AsanteGeddesRikki Fulton

Show more

Crew

rolenameDirectorBill Forsyth

Details

Theatrical distributor

20th Century Fox Film Co. Ltd

Released on

1983-04-29

Languages

English | Russian | Japanese

Guidance

Swearing.

Available on

video, DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

News & features about Local Hero

• 
  
  Mother's Pride review: Like an inoffensive light ale, slips down more pleasantly than you might expect ★★★☆☆
  
  Martin Clunes, Mark Addy and James Buckley star in this feel-good comedy set in a British pub.

• 
  
  Helen Mirren and Lesley Manville among acting legends confirmed for batch of acclaimed live theatre broadcasts
  
  National Theatre Live has confirmed three new titles for its 2026 slate, which join the previously announced Hamlet.

  Ad

• 
  
  A Man Called Otto soundtrack: All the songs in the Tom Hanks film
  
  The film includes a Thomas Newman score and an original song written by Rita Wilson.

• 
  
  Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger cast – all the stars in the true story sequel
  
  Rory Kinnear is back for another film about Burnley-based hero Dave Fishwick.

• 
  
  Coma gives sinister first look at catalyst at centre of Jason Watkins drama
  
  Watkins stars in a tense exclusive first-look clip from the Channel 5 drama.

• 
  
  McDonald & Dodds stars on reuniting in “very different” thriller Coma
  
  Jason Watkins and Claire Skinner take a turn away from their police officer characters in Channel 5's Coma.

• 
  
  Jason Watkins and David Bradley star in first look at Coma drama
  
  The Channel 5 drama sees Watkins as a man on the brink after making a split-second decision.

  Ad

• 
  
  Bored of the usual classics? Here are 11 alternative Christmas movies to watch this December
  
  Here are a few suggestions to watch alongside the more regular seasonal staples.

Ad

Ad

Ad