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Local Hero Reviews

1983

70
from 7402 members

A Texas oil company attempts to buy out a Scottish fishing village for a refinery, and the result is utter confusion. To make matters more complicated, one of the town's least prominent citizens owns a strategic piece of property which he refuses to sell. A warm, acclaimed comedy, starring Burt Lancaster and PEter Riegert, from .. Read more

Starring	Burt Lancaster, Peter Riegert, Denis Lawson, Fulton Mackay
Director	Bill Forsyth
Genres	Comedy

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Critic's review of Local Hero
View all critics' reviews (5)
- Reminiscent of various Ealing comedies, especially Whisky Galore and The Maggie, this ambitious comedy is really not funny enough for its great length.
- 30672
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:41
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Most helpful member's review of Local Hero
View all members' reviews (68)
- - 21
  - 0
  Fantastic feel good film
  
  A fantastic feel good film that is as comforting as it is funny. The typical "outraged natives" plot which usually transpires when an "evil"... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 298156
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - esthersmile
  - worcs
  - 23 Jan 2004 at 11:09
Most recent members' reviews of Local Hero
View all members' reviews (68)
- - 0
  - 0
  great 80's film
  
  What a lovely reminder that money isn't everything! After seeing the recent doc about Donald Trump this was really uplifting.
  
  Report this review
- 1069196
- - a customer
  - 01 Dec 2011 at 12:28
- - 0
  - 1
  Too steady even for a sunday afternoon
  
  a very slow film, where nothing really happens..I love British films, but this one just didn't hit the mark. Disappointed throughout, never got going. Two ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1053823
- - a customer
  - 21 Oct 2011 at 20:55
- - 2
  - 0
  Just a great movie....
  
  So funny and quirky on many different levels. Find something new each time I watch it. Especially love the rabbit!
  
  Report this review
- 1041656
- - a customer
  - 17 Sep 2011 at 13:29
- - 1
  - 0
  Fantastic story, well worth a watch
  
  A charming and heart-warming tale set in Ferness, a small costal village in Scotland.
  
  A large oil and gas company based in Texas wants to buy up the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1035030
- - Donna181
  - 33 reviews
  - Derbyshire
  - 30 Aug 2011 at 10:47
- - 0
  - 0
  Not a line out of place
  
  The more this film went on, the more I realised how masterful its touch was: every word and character is perfectly placed; some of the asides are hugely witty ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1033496
- - kfae8959
  - 28 reviews
  - 25 Aug 2011 at 15:56
- - 0
  - 0
  smooth and gentle - an old fashioned style of movie
  
  I first saw this when it was new in that quaint old fashioned thing known as a cinema, as one of my first 'grown up' movie choices. I loved its quiet ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1004381
- - busybee64
  - 4 reviews
  - 13 Jun 2011 at 17:55
- - 0
  - 0
  classic Scottish film
  
  I can now see why this is classed as a classic Scottish film, in the top ten of all Scottish films. It is filmed in a small village where an American is sent to... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 971469
- - Suza
  - 154 reviews
  - Scotland
  - 09 Mar 2011 at 20:39
- - 0
  - 0
  Great sense of place
  
  This is one of my all time favourite films. The comedy is understated and wry. The characters are memorable and well acted, including by some local amateur ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 966892
- - a customer
  - Sheffield
  - 22 Feb 2011 at 21:00
- - 2
  - 9
  SO Boring
  
  Well I thought this had to be good with the amount of stars it got. But I don't think I have watched anything so boring for ages. I cannot see anything good... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 891847
- - vwaves
  - 36 reviews
  - Cornwall UK
  - 16 May 2010 at 19:52
- - 0
  - 0
  the world in a grain of sand
  
  With a gentle humour and a slow charm, the movie wins you over to its ironies and offbeat characters.
  
  The remote Scottish village and its residents ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 890949
- - MrsGrunt
  - 3 reviews
  - Derbyshire, UK
  - 12 May 2010 at 23:29
View all members' reviews (68)

- - 21
  - 0
  Fantastic feel good film
  
  A fantastic feel good film that is as comforting as it is funny. The typical "outraged natives" plot which usually transpires when an "evil"... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 298156
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - esthersmile
  - worcs
  - 23 Jan 2004 at 11:09
- - 11
  - 0
  The best film you will ever watch!
  
  It's got no car chases. There's no sex, no nudity, not even a hint of flesh. It's slow paced, gentle, quiet. It's over 20 years old.
  
  ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 175765
- - dave brennan
  - washington
  - 18 Nov 2005 at 21:00
- - 6
  - 0
  Got it right...
  
  Bill Forsyth got it absolutely right with this film, moving, quirky and funny.
  
  An absolute delight. The scenery is wonderful and the movie has stood ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 312463
- - paininthe
  - West Yorkshire
  - 27 Oct 2004 at 14:12
- - 6
  - 1
  This is a perfect movie
  
  You must watch this movie. The story of a Texas oilman trying to buy a remote Scottish fishing village is perfect in every way. The film moves at its own pace... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 4809
- - Clifford
  - Cheshire
  - 19 Apr 2004 at 20:20
- - 3
  - 0
  My favourite film!
  
  This film is about the rat race, and about the simpler things in life. It is portrayed in a way that is nostalgic and humorous. There is an incredible contrast ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 82732
- - Andy
  - Cumbria, UK
  - 17 Mar 2005 at 22:54
- - 3
  - 0
  Great film
  
  An amazing film, great characters and a class performance from Burt Lancaster.
  
  Lovely scenery, very relaxing yet enjoyable. Highly recommended.
  
  Report this review
- 322469
- - RPJ1
  - Bucks
  - 09 Feb 2005 at 20:49
- - 2
  - 0
  A British classic
  
  One of my all time favourites. From the stunning location, to the humour, to the non intrusive music it’s a good film. Highly recommended.
  
  Report this review
- 317407
- - Gerry2
  - Derbys
  - 28 Dec 2004 at 19:28
- - 2
  - 0
  Instant tonic for todays sour offerings
  
  I'm just not sure that they produce films like this these days.
  
  It is no coincidence that this and Whisky Galore rank amongst my favourite movies... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 350614
- - Shedfish
  - Gloucestershire
  - 07 Oct 2005 at 15:58
- - 2
  - 0
  Just a great movie....
  
  So funny and quirky on many different levels. Find something new each time I watch it. Especially love the rabbit!
  
  Report this review
- 1041656
- - a customer
  - 17 Sep 2011 at 13:29
- - 1
  - 0
  Surprising and funny
  
  Turns your expectations on their head as the locals, far from trying to protect their beautiful village from the oil developers, cannot wait to sell it and get ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 56769
- - bobsto
  - 45 reviews
  - Pangbourne
  - 01 Dec 2004 at 17:02

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Critics' reviews
- Reminiscent of various Ealing comedies, especially Whisky Galore and The Maggie, this ambitious comedy is really not funny enough for its great length.
- 30672
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:41
- "...LOCAL HERO is loaded with wry, offbeat humor and is the sort of satisfying, personal picture that is becoming an increasingly rare commodity..."
- 8509
- - Variety
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- For all the ballyhoo about Chariots of Fire, Forsyth's is the more significant film because it rediscovers a genre that... read more on Time Out
- 43843
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:14
- "...LOCAL HERO does the job in a way that is exhilarating to watch..."
- 8508
- - Sight and Sound
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- Included in The New York Times "10 BEST FILMS OF 1983"
- 8507
- - New York Times
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Local Hero
  
  A Texas oil company attempts to buy out a Scottish fishing village for a refinery, and the result is utter confusion. To make matters more complicated, one of the town's least prominent citizens owns a strategic piece of property which he refuses to sell. A warm, acclaimed comedy, starring Burt ...