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One Sheet poster Local Hero
is a beloved 1983 British comedy-drama film that tells the story of an American oil executive sent to buy a picturesque Scottish village for a new refinery. The movie is known for its charming characters, stunning scenery, and gentle humor.
Plot Summary
The Mission: "Mac" MacIntyre (Peter Riegert), a Houston-based oil executive for Knox Oil and Gas, is dispatched to the fictional village of Ferness on the Scottish west coast to negotiate the purchase of the entire town and surrounding area. The eccentric company owner, Felix Happer (Burt Lancaster), who is more interested in astronomy than oil, gives Mac the assignment.
Culture Clash: Mac, a city slicker, gradually acclimates to the slower pace of life in Ferness and its quirky inhabitants, including the multi-job holding Gordon Urquhart (Denis Lawson) and his wife Stella (Jennifer Black). He becomes conflicted about his mission to erase the charming village he's grown to love.
The Twist: Unbeknownst to Mac, the locals are actually eager to sell and get rich, pretending to be indifferent to drive up the price.
The Resolution: The deal is stalled when it's discovered that the crucial beach area is owned by a seemingly simple, old beachcomber named Ben Knox (Fulton Mackay), who refuses all offers. Happer arrives in person, connects with Ben over their shared love for the simple life and the night sky, and ultimately decides to build an astronomical observatory and relocate the refinery offshore instead.
The Ending: A thoughtful Mac returns to a now-hollow Houston, bringing with him mementos from the coast. In the final scene, the iconic red phone box in Ferness rings, leaving the audience to imagine Mac calling his new friends. |
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