Local Hero

This lovely comedy by Forsyth (Gregory’s Girl) sees Mac, a young American executive flying to Scotland to purchase an entire town on behalf of the oil company he works for, run by near-psychotic Happer (Burt Lancaster).

Bill Forsyth’s happy-sad tale about a fishing village under threat from US oil money is as wonderful as it was on its first release 40 years ago, with standout turns from Lancaster and youthful Peter Capaldi.

Ace dealmaker (Peter Riegert) is sent to negotiate the purchase deal. He finds cheerful future millionaires, awesome northern lights, a lusty innkeeper, a stubborn beachcomber and a mermaid with webbed toes.

Forsyth's touch is perfect: whether showing us an all-American oil tycoon (Lancaster) with his head in the stars or bridging generations at an all-night ceilidh dance.

"(This) wistful '80s comedy snares your heart with charm and beauty...it’s such a pleasure to see it again." - Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

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