Local Hero

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Local Hero

PG

1983

1h 50m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

100%

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43 Reviews

87%

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5,000+ Ratings

Up-and-coming Houston oil executive Mac MacIntyre gets more than he bargained for when a seemingly simple business trip to Scotland changes his outlook on life. Sent by his colorful boss 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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Nick Roddick

Sight & Sound

Nov 4, 2025

Though Local Hero undoubtedly offers more hope than any other British film of the 1980s so far, the question of whether it is possible to merge the two traditions remains sadly open.

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Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

May 23, 2023

5/5

A Scottish-American charmer with a sublime soundtrack.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

May 17, 2023

5/5

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

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Sep 18, 2026

5/5

…arguably the best film about Scotland, Bill Forsyth's Local Hero is a charming film about going back to your roots…celebrating Scottish humour and charm in the face of adversity…a favourite film of many Scots and non-Scots alike…

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

Sep 1, 2025

3/4

Just the right dose of daffy...

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Jan 27, 2024

2.5/4

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

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Gail TheWriterStuff J

@Thewriterstuff Oct 5, 2026

Very enjoyable l, funny film. Burt Lancaster is a hoot.

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Steven B

@bearded19711 Aug 16, 2026

One of my all time favorites!

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Axel H

@RT29502354 Aug 5, 2026

One of my favorite movies. Funny and with a great nature conservation message.

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Eileen M

@Eileen321 Jul 4, 2026

Gentle Humour, stunning scenery, fabulous sound track (thank you Mark Knopfler) . I re-watch this every year. Looks dated when you start but stay with it- it leaves you feeling joyful and you laugh out loud along the way.

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Joseph B.

@jbriskey Apr 11, 2026

Great cast but it went nowhere we cared about really slowly.

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Theo C

@RT06258744 Feb 10, 2026

Overall an absolutely fantastic film for a quiet watch. It's subtle in its setting and its filming, the soundtrack is nothing short of a masterpiece by Mark Knopfler and the acting is well-done and makes the characters feel like "just people". The cinematography is nothing to scoff at either, with certain frames just making you want to scoff at their visual brilliance. The humour is funny and typical of the area. The ending is fantastic, with Mark Knopfler's thunderous "Going Home" putting a brilliant full stop at the end of this film. Overall, an absolute sensation in every second that your eyes and ears are on it.

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Bill Forsyth

Director

Burt Lancaster

Happer

Peter Riegert

Mac

Denis Lawson

Urquhart

Fulton Mackay

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Norman Chancer

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Synopsis

Up-and-coming Houston oil executive Mac MacIntyre gets more than he bargained for when a seemingly simple business trip to Scotland changes his outlook on life. Sent by his colorful boss 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
Producer: David Puttnam
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
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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